Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1868-03-19
The "Keusfons Sfafe.v

paratively, of the great mass of our
fellow-citizens that know why Penn.
sylvaria received the appellation OF
tho "Keystone State" and it may be
equally true, that few are aware OF
the fact, that Pennsylvania decided
the great issue Of American Indepen-
denoe. fAA -tl
In the old Episcopal Churcbyard in
Chester stands a plain, neat monu-
ment about twelve feetin height erect
cd over the remains Of John Morton,
one of the signers of the Declaration
Of Independence, July 4, 1776. 1t
bears the following Inscription:
Dedicated Aa iltfH
lH To the memory Of I
niaH ami Jonx MoRros, .
member Of the frst American Congress from ths
State Of Pennsylvania, assembled In New
York, l76o, and Of the next congrn
assembled in Philadelphia, In lT74, r.
ffr and various other public
stations.
Born A. d. l72t, Imi all
.vnI n. Died April, l777. .I.f .r.
This monument was erected BY a portion Of his
rclA1itir-' tctoDt WI, lb4o.
~ In 1873, N
whilo Speaker Of the Assembly Of Perna
John Morton was reelected member Of
Congress, and, in theever memorable
session Of July, l776, he attend
fNll ed that august body for the
last time, enshrining ...,
his name
in the grateful remembrance Of the American
people BY signing tho Declaration OF
nr Independence.
In voting by States upon the question Of the
Independence Of the American Colonies,
there was tie, until the vote Of
Pennsylvania was given,
two members from which voted in the afirma-
tive, and .-s in the negative. The
time continued, until the vote Of
Hn the last member, I.
JoHn MoRros,
decided the promulgation Of the glorious diploma
Of American Freedom.
John Morton being censured by some Of hisfrisnds
for his toldness 10 giving the casting vote
for the Declaration Of Independence,
his prophetic spirit
dictated s-pn BIZ death-bed, the following message
10 them:
"Tel them they.wil live to see the hour when they
shall acknowledge II 70 have been the most
glorious service that ever rendered
to my country"
The circumstances attending the
adoption of the Declaration of 1nde-
pendence by the Continental Con-
gress, are as follows: The vote was
taken by the delegations of the thir-
teen colonies. Six of them voted 10
favor and six against the measure.
These delegations sat right and left
Of the President, John Hancock. In
front Of him the Pennsylvania dele
cation were seated.
When the delegations from oil the
colonies, except Pennsylvania, had
voted, and it was discovered that they
orv equally divided, John nauvvvs,
perceiving that John Morton, one Of
the Pennsylvania delegation, was not
in his seat, and, seemingly aware that
the latter held the casting vote in the
said delegation in favor of the meas
ure, arose, and made a speech, urging
the Pennsylvania delegation to vote
for independence. He continued his
exbortation until he saw John Nor
ton enter the hall when he sat down.
The Pennsylvania delegation stood
divided upon tho great issue,
until John Morton gave the casting
vote in favor of the Declaration.
Thus John Morton decided the vote
of Penn sylvania, and thus, Pennsyl-
vania, by giving the casting vote, de-
cided that important question and,
from this circumstance she received
the nam of the "KeystoBe State,"--
the thirt eenth State-the block of the
Arch.
The reason why John Morton was
delayed in the occupancy OF his seat
on that occasion was, that a number
of influential persons visited him on
that morning, urging him TO vote
against the "Declaration." But they
could not prevail and many of them
did live TO see the time when they had
10 acknowledge IL was the best thing
he could do, and "the most glorious
service that he had ever rendered to
his country"
All honor, then, be ascribed 10 the
memory of John Mo rton, Of Pennsyl-
vania.