Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1874-04-15
JrlgiA of the AppellatiOn
.sKeystOne Sfate.c

iaS been Kept up between some OF
the newspapers Of this and other
States concerning the origin of the
popular name by which our State is
known, viz: the "Key.tone." 1t was
with much curiosity and interest that
We lately perused a compilation of sew
eral theories as advanced by different
historians The work to which we have
reference is entitled "a History of the
Origin of the Appellation Keystone
State,' and is published by Claxton,
Reinsen 4 Haffiefpger, Philadelphia.
1t is worth the while of any person who
is fond of historical facts, and especial
ly teachers, to procure the work and
give it careful reading. The author
has no doubt expended much time
and labor in collecting reliable facts,
yet we think he has reason to feel am
ply rewarded in having SO clearly shown
all side. of the question, and in having,
in cur opinion, so conclusively proven
that ''PeuDsylvania Is called the 'Key /
stone Sta:e''-the thirteenth, the block |
of the arch-from the fact that, by the /
casting vote of JOHN MORTON, she Sc
cured the adoption Of the Declaration /
Of Independence in the Continental
Congress, on she 4th Of July, 11I6,
being the last or thirteenth State to
vote for that immortal Instrument
In this volume is also included brief /
sketch of the life Of John Morton, to-
gether with the New Constitution and 1
the members of the Constitutional Con-
vention. We did not expect to say
any thing further concerning the sub
ject, but for the information OF our
readers, will give few extracts. The
summary Of the theory given by the
author is substantially this:
s.0n voting fol the famous Declare
tion of Independence, Pennsylvania was
the last State to vote. Caesar Rodney
had travelled miles from his home in
Delaware, and, IN conjunction with
Thomas Mexican, had secured that
State for the Declaration. Mr.. John
Morton had been summoned outside of
the Hall Of Independence, when the
momentous question was pending. Nu-
merous of bis friends begged him to
vote against the measure, for fear of
disastrou. results, aud the ignominy
which must inevitably attend i'll sue
cess but their arguments and en-
treaties did not avail, and with that de-
termination and force of character
which had always distinguished him be
stepped inside and cast the FINAL VOTE,
which decided the Declaration of Inde-
pendence."
Many good authorities are quoted to
sustain him in his position.
The next theory given is that over
the signature of S. II, and is as fol-
lows:
"THE kEYsToN E.-The term, | be- I
lievc, was adopted about the close of the
last century, in consequence of the in
itia.s of the State being engraved on
the keystone of the arch of the stone
bridge that was erected over Rock
Creek, between the city of Washing
ton and Georgetown. This bridge,
which has since been destroyed, was
built of stones brought to build the
walls of the first Capitol, and unused
for it. Its arch is said TO have consis
ted Of thirteen stones, the keystone of
which had engraved on il the initials of
Pennsylvania, and the twelve others,
those of the other States at that period,
one on each. Probably Pennsy lvania
may have been put on the key stone
from the fact of its being at the termi-
nation of Pennsylvania Avenue"
The third. d. ", from Philadelphia,
gives US, and is that which, perhaps,
most of rs have been willing to accept.
lie says:
"THE KEYSTONE STATE If the
thirteen original States were arranged
in the form of an arch, each State form
ing block, Pennsylvania would, from
its geographical position, form the key
stone,--six of the States lying north
and east of it, namely, New Hampshire,
Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connec
ticut. New York, and New Jersey; and
SIX south and west Of it, namely, Del
aware, Maryland, Virginia, North Car
olina, South Carolina and Georgia"
But the theory of our author pleases
not the citizens Of other States. They
are jealous of their sister, and are uu-
willing to permit her to wear the crown
which she SO justly claims. And yet,
had America failed to gain her lnde-
pendence, after having once declared it,
would ikey not charge her with having
been the cause of our ruin BY their
present actions we judge them, not only
in this case, but IN the preparation for
the approaching Centennial as well.
Many good things are said on all
sides in this volume and we advise any
who have not yet read it, to procure a
copy and read it, and we believe tha,
you will feel rewarded for money in
vested and time spent.
x. of Il.
On Friday evening the Committee
on Reception of Supreme Lodge X. of
z. of the world, held a meeting in