The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-09-03
e THE KEYSTONE STATE

WE na0 tnten0eQ some time TO again pay our re-
spects to the author Of the Rook Greek Bridge Story
published in the Athens Gle6ncr concerning the
origin OF Pennsylvana's title TO the name of "Key-
stone Stae" but the conviction that very few per-
sons would attach any importance TO the story led
us to postpone our reply TO a convenient season.
His seven columns OF labored argument, far from
proving Pennsylvania received the title of the
"Keystone State from the symbolical letters
on the Keystone Of the thirteen blocks COM
prising the arch OF the bridge over Rock creek in
the District OF Columbia, shows that she already had
that title, and that the individual who constructed
the bridge saw in the exact number oS blocks COM
prising the arch a fitting opportunity TO symbol
the idea. His argument to prove that
Pennsylvania was not recognized as the "Key-
stone" IN national symbols has bearing
whatever on the question: for the reason that these
symbols were designed to represent union and
equality, and any reference to the superior condi-
ton of any state would have been inappropriate.
Another mistake of the writer is in supposng the
name "Keystone" to be Federal symbol. such is
not the case. Pennsylvania claims for herself the
title OF "Keystone' precisely Massachusetts
claims to be called the ebay State or New Haup-
shire the "Grante State, because of some distnc-
tive peculiarly belonging to themselves exclusively.
Long before our Revolutionary era the arch and
It's keystone we're symbols of union and strength
Hence the idea fastened itself upon the minds Of
Pennsylvauans that our State occupied the position
OF the keystone to the Union. There are many incl
dents in history well calculated to deveope this
fuea. At the time Of the adoption OF the Declaration
OF independence Pennsylvania was the dividing
State between North and South, there being six on
each side Of her,
In the Congress of Independence the representa-
tives of fine Colonies sat in semicrcle around the
Speakers chair, Pennsylvania occupying the centre
OF the arch; she was also the last or thirteenth
state to vote, and thus resembled the keystone of
aroh which is always inserted last, and without
which the arch could not stand. These well-known
facts undoubtedly presented themselves to the
minds OF many, and the title OF "Keystone''
gradually worked its way among the
people until it finally became an
acknowledged title 10y every one. The builder OF
the Rock Creek Bridge no doubt heard this Oft
repeated expression, and very appropriately SYM
bozed It upon the bridge he was building. The
fitness OF the expression has been recognized by
thousands OF public speakers in all parts of the
State for over half century, not one of whom
probably ever heard of Rock Creek Bridge, with
its historical claim Of less than twenty years
standing Aside from the historical facts we have
given in regard to the geographical position OF the
State ana the position OF its representatives in the
Revolutionary Congress, we have traditional testi-
mOny which helped to create spontaneous sentiment
in the minds of her people that she in still higher
sense the keystone OF the arch. In the old EpscO-
pa Church-yaId in Chester, Pennsylvania, lie the
remains OF Judge Morton, and upon his tomb is the
following inscription
dedicated TO the memory of John Morton. \
member Of the first American Congress from the
state OF Pennsy lyania, assembled in New York 1865
and OF the ne Xt Congress- assembled in Philadelphia
IN IA, and various other public stations BOrn A.
ID. lIA Died April, 1771."
'Phis monumentIwas erected by portion OF his re-
iatons October Q, 1S45. In 1875, while Speaker OF
the Assembly OF Pennsylvania, John Morton
elected member Of Congress- and in the ever,me- me,
augusl God, for the last tme enshrning his name
in the grateful remembrance of the American people
by signing the Declaration of Indepen-
dence. IN voting by States upon the question
fInra WQQ a 10 thn Otn Of napl-
wanna was given, two members from which voted in
the affirmative and two in the negative. The tie
ntlnued until the vote Of the last member. John
Morton, decided the PRONUNCIATION of the glorious
dlploma OF American freedom.
John Morton being censured by some OF his
friends for hs boldness in giving his casting vote for
the Declaration of Independence, his prophetic
spirit dictated from his death-bed the following mes
sage % them Tell them that they will live to
the houT when they shall acknowledge it to have
been the moS glorious service that ever rendered
NY county,"
1hit monument was erected 10y his near relatives
some OI whom were living when he died. No one
VIII den! that this inscription expresses the traditions
OF our RI vouti0naTy period as handed down to them
hv him. The men who signed the Declaration Of
independence rendered themselves liable to death
of fe'afe and their dangerous situation
naturally led to family conversations relating to the
sui ject that this record has really the force OF
written testimony.
1t Is web known that there was great diversity
OF opinion among the people in regard TO the Deca-
ration an the probability is that vote occurred
as stated on Judge Morton's monument, and was
made unanimous after the question had been de-
cided by tie majority-a very common practice
among deliberative bodies when unanimty is essen
tial to success. The fact that Judge Morton was
censured for his vote by the enemies OF the Decara
tion would, and doubtless did impress the friends OF
the Union more fully with the idea that Pennsy-
Vana occupied the Keystone position
Sanderson's "Liyes OF the Signers," published in
1925 vol vi page 2lO, says:-"NO wonder, then, that
MIR. Morton experienced the most intense anxiety Of
mind when he was required to give the casting vote
OF the Pennsylvania delegation-a vote which would
either confirm or destroy the unanimity OF the
Declaration OF Independence" "Leber's Encyclo-
pedia Americana" published in 1889, VOL tx, page
81. says:-"Mr. Morton gave the casting vote OF
Pennsylv Ania in favor OF Independence, and char
acterizes it 'an act of signal ntrepdity." Los
sings "Ves OF the Sguers published in 1s4S, ,says:-
"Mr. Morton called on officially to give the
casting vote of Pennsylvania; that it was solemn
responsibility thrown on him it was for him to
decide whether there should be a unani-
nous vote OF the Colonies for in
dependence but he firmly met the responsibility and
voted yes ana from that moment the United
Colonies were declared independent States. There
is much other authority to prove that Pennsylvania
voted last, and made the Declaration unanimous.
This fact coupled with her geographical and legis.
tdtve position, could not have failed TO bring to the
mines OF many the old idea OF the unity and strength
OF the arch and its Keystone, and them in the
fervor OF patriotic feeling to claim for Pennsylvania
this proud position. The events we have recited
enlisted the strongest sympathies Of the people
the time OF their occurrence, and the prominent
place occupied by Pennsylvania must have
possessed the minds Of all with the