(This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. T...)
This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ++++ The below data was compiled from various identification fields in the bibliographic record of this title. This data is provided as an additional tool in helping to ensure edition identification: ++++ Temperance Essays, And Selections From Different Authors John Hartwell Cocke Edward Cornelius Delavan Van Benthuysen's steam printing hose, 1865 Temperance; Tobacco
https://www.amazon.com/Temperance-Essays-Selections-Different-Authors/dp/1173867139?SubscriptionId=AKIAJRRWTH346WSPOAFQ&tag=prabook-20&linkCode=sp1&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=1173867139
military planter publicist Soldier
John Hartwell Cocke was born on September 19, 1780 in Surry County, Virginia, United States. He was the son of John Hartwell and Elizabeth (Kennon) Cocke, and sixth in descent from Richard Cocke, who first appeared in Virginia from southern England in 1628. Cocke inherited a fortune as well as refinement and native ability from his forebears.
Cocke attended William and Mary College from 1794 to 1799.
Cocke chose the life of a country gentleman at “Bremo” in Fluvanna County, to which he removed about 1803. Progressive and prescient in all things, he promoted new agricultural methods, the founding of agricultural societies, the developing of waterways and steam navigation, and various public improvements. He attacked the practise of making tobacco the principal crop and published a monograph, Tobacco (1860), to prove it ethically and economically “the bane of Virginia husbandry. ”
During the War of 1812 he rose in eighteen months from captain to brigadier-general, commanding the Virginia soldiery guarding Richmond, 1814-1815, at Camps Carter and Holley on the Chickahominy River. His conduct as a soldier brought him such reputation that his name was canvassed for governor in the General Assembly of 1814 until Cocke positively forbade its use. In religious and social movements his activities were unceasing and influential. He abetted Bible, Tract, and Sunday- school societies, and served on the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. Slavery he denounced as a curse to commonwealth and nation, predicting that Virginia would make no progress toward prosperity until it and tobacco tillage should be ended. From its organization in 1819 until his death he was senior vice-president of the American Colonization Society, formed to settle the slavery problem peaceably by colonizing African Americans of the South in Africa. He favored federal intervention and a constitutional amendment providing funds for this purpose; and in 1831 wrote of slavery as “the great cause of all the great evils of our land. ” Duelling and intemperance he likewise detested and warred against with cogent reasoning or acid satire.
In a drinking age, his was the most insistent voice in his state demanding nationwide prohibition; and when the American Temperance Union succeeded the United States Temperance Union in 1836, Cocke was elected president of the new society. A friend to popular education, he sponsored sounder primary and secondary school systems, but his greatest service lay in his efforts toward a state university, his share in its physical development, and his thirty-three years (1819 - 1852) on its Board of Visitors. Without playing so conspicuous a part in founding the University of Virginia as did Jefferson and Joseph C. Cabell, Cocke’s contribution was subordinate only to theirs. He cooperated with Jefferson on the important building committee, and, though disapproving of various particulars of Jefferson’s architectural plan which contravened his economical and conservative bent, never interposed his objections; his suggestions were uniformly constructive, and his experience and practical counsel during the institution’s infancy proved invaluable.
(This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. T...)
Cocke advocated temperance, the end of tobacco production in central Virginia, and the colonization of the state's slaves.
Cocke was a member of the American Colonization Society.
Cocke's inordinate modesty and refusal to hold political office have helped undeservedly to obliterate his name from public memory. Although in his day he was widely known and though his erect figure and impressively determined countenance compelled respectful consideration, few realized the solidity of his talents and even enlightened contemporaries considered his attitude toward slavery, tobacco, and temperance extreme. Conscientious, tenacious of opinion, boldly independent, and devoid of partisanship, sectarian or sectional, he was impervious to the derision and contempt which his convictions occasionally provoked: he formed conclusions deliberately, and before his death saw established many of the causes which he had upheld against incisive opposition. Without being either a prig or a Puritan he was a zealous reformer; yet even those who impugned his principles admired his sincerity, catholic benevolence, and alertness to civic responsibility.
Quotes from others about the person
“I find Gen. Cocke universally respected and looked up to by the officers under his command—a striking instance of the triumph of talents and perseverance in the cause of duty”.
Cocke married on December 25, 1802, Ann Blaus Barraud of Norfolk, by whom he had several children, among them Philip St. George Cocke.
