When he affixed his signature to the
instrument in such large and legible
letters, he said, "the British ministry
can read that name without their spec
tacles." A distinguished gentleman
said, "King George could almost read
it across the Atlantic." He . cared
nothing for the offered reward of the
aggressive foe. He had no concessions
to make to a foe that sought . to fasten
the chains of slavery on himself and
his posterity. He had no idea of re
tiring from the contest until the war
cloud should blow over and the bless
ings of freedom should gladden the
hearts of his countrymen. Like the
renowned hero of old who stood with
his back to a huge rock with opposing
foes in front, he could say:
"Come one, come all, this rock shall fly
From its firm bare as soon as I."
I love to think of such noble spirits
as John Hancock who stood at the helm
guiding the Ship of'State over the agi
tated waves amid the fury of the storm
that threatened to engulf her. He has
a fame as enduring as time. Genera
tions yet unborn will arise and think of
the noble deeds of the great leader that
did so much to liberate his countrymen
from the dominion of a foreign power.
The children of the pilgrims should be
proud of the great Hancock whose
voice urged his people on in the darkest
period of the country's history.
B. W. H.
NEW YORK FARMERS.
