We do not recognize the right to make a revolution by a vote.
John Creswell
The Public Record
John Andrew Jackson Creswell was an American politician and abolitionist from Maryland, who served as United States Representative, United States Senator, and as Postmaster General of the United States appointed by President Ulysses S. Grant. Creswell is considered to be one of the ablest, if not the best, Postmaster General in United States history. Creswell modernized the U.S. postal system to adapt to an expanding demand for increased postal routes throughout the Western states and remain competitive worldwide. Creswell also integrated the U.S. postal system, appointing both male and female African American postmasters throughout the United States, giving them significant positions of federal authority. Sweeping and constructive reforms of the U.S. postal system took place during Creswell's tenure, including securing fair competition among Star Route carriages, and the abolition of the franking system. Creswell developed a codified classification system of offenses against postal laws. Creswell streamlined and reduced postal costs, making the United States postal system run efficiently creating a fair pricing system domestically, and reducing international mailing prices. Creswell developed and implemented the United States first penny postcard.
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He had conned his books as jealously as a miner peering for gold, and had not left a panful of earth unwashed.
— John Creswell
gutenberg.org
He stood face to face with the iniquitous superstition, and to their teeth defied its worshipers.
She was the incarnation of all that is Christian in life and hope, in charity and thought, ready for every good work, herself the example of all she taught.
Combining within himself the better qualities of the soldier, sage, statesman, and patriot, alike brave, wise, discreet, and incorruptible, the common consent of mankind has awarded him the incomparable title of Father of his Country.
Among all nations and in every clime the richest treasures of language have been exhausted in the effort to transmit to posterity a faithful record of his deeds.
For him unfading laurels are secure, so long as letters shall survive and history shall continue to be the guide and teacher of civilized men.
But in the presence of the Omnipotent how insignificant is the proudest and the noblest of men!
They spoke with freedom before a boy what they would have repressed before a man.
They were far from indifferent to their condition; they felt wronged and sighed for freedom.
I do not recommend the example to those who are independently situated, for learning must fall like the rain in such gentle showers as to sink in if it is to be fruitful; when poured on the richest soil in torrents, it not only runs off…
The regular studies were prosecuted with diligence, and from them he derived great profit, not merely in knowledge, but in what is of vastly more account, the habit and power of mental labor.
I knew something of books, nothing of men, and I went forth like Adam among the wild beasts of the unknown wilderness of the world.
My father had dedicated me to the ministry, but the day had gone when such dedications determined the lives of young men.
Theology as a grave topic of historic and metaphysical investigation I delighted to pursue, but for the ministry I had no calling.
He never would hold any of his slaves under his authority, never would accept a cent of their wages, and tendered each and all of them a deed of absolute manumission whenever the law would allow.
How many of those who have since charged him with being selfish and reckless in his advocacy of emancipation would have shown equal devotion to principle?
Ah! the man who works and suffers for his opinions' sake places his own flesh and blood in pledge for his integrity.
Thus has the country lost one of the most able, eloquent, and fearless of its defenders.
Called from this life at an age when most men are just beginning to command the respect and confidence of their fellows, he has left, nevertheless, a fame as wide as our vast country.
He had collected the purest ore of truth and the richest gems of thought, until he was able to crown himself with knowledge.
He was the best scholar I ever met for his years and active life, and was surpassed by very few, excepting mere book-worms.
DAVIS sustained the majority report in an able speech, in which, after urging every argument in favor of the report, he boldly proclaimed his own views, and the duties of his State and country.
They were on their knees praying for peace, ignorant that bloody war had already girded on his sword.
But there is a courage of Statesmen, besides; and nobly was it illustrated by the statesman whose national services we commemorate to-day.
Politicians like John Creswell
