The Real American Revolution

Have you ever thought about the "other" Founding Fathers.  We know about Adams, Jefferson, and Hancock, but what about Benjamin Rush?  He was born and raised in the Philadelphia area, but traveled extensively in Europe during his medical studies.  Rush is even credited with publishing the first American Chemistry textbook.  Like so many others, he was a mixture of positives and negatives, but his personal records about the daily dealing of the Continental Congress are a significant resource for those who study the history of these important events.   http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/signers/rush.htmush?

Benjamin Rush

1745-1813

Representing Pennsylvania at the Continental Congress

by Ole Erekson, Engraver, c1876, Library of Congress

Rush tells us his view on the real American Revolution:

"There is nothing more common, than to confound the terms of American Revolution with those of the late American war.  The American war is over but this is far from being the case with the American Revolution.  On the contrary, nothing but the first act of the great drama is closed.  It remains yet to establish and perfect our new forms of government; and to prepare the principles, morals, and manners of our citizens, for those forms of government, after they are established and brought to perfection. . .Patriots of 1774, 1775, 1776--heroes of 1778, 1779, 1780! come forward!  your country demands your services!--Philosophers and friends to mankind, come forward! your country demands your studies and speculations!  Lovers of peace and order, who declined taking part in the late war, come forward! your country forgives you timidity and demands your influence and advice!  Hear her proclaiming, in sighs and groans, in her governments, in her finances, in her trade, in her manufactures, in her morals, and in her manners, 'The Revolution is not over.'" ( Buckner F. Melton Jr. ed. The Quotable Founding Fathers. Fall River. 2004. pg. 333-4)