Saturday visitor. (Newark, Del.) 1876-1876, 1876-02-12
letter from delaware.

snlrteen was not laggard in deciding
for freedom and independence and was
the first of the States to ratify the Con-
stitution OF 'S7.
Three counties-New Castle, Kent
and Sussex compose the State; OF
which, the first named contains more
than half Of the population, and still
larger proportion of improved, taxable
pFoperty-which is largely due to the
fact, that Wilmington, city OF 40,000
inhabitants, the seat of the most va.
ried, and some of the largest manufac-
tories in the United States, is therein
located.
"Ask why God made the gem so small 5.
And why so huge the granite7 -
Because God meant mankind should set
The greater value on It," Not
Although dwarfed in stature, by COM
parison with her ''huge" sister to the
North OF her, and denied many of the
metallic, mineral and other natural re-
sources with which most Of the larger
commonwealths have been blessed, her
history, from first to last, shows that
she has ever been able to furnish, in
ample proportion. to the query Of the
poet: sag. o r4a1.{ ~
"what constitutes slate N li ia,
His appropriate reply in the person of
her children,
"Men, high-minded men,"
Indissolubly linked with the initiate
~ movements--as entreaty for Justice.
protest against wrong, and earnest
warning of resistance to oppression
which eliminated in the immortal dec
laration, and eventuated in the triumph
of glorious revolution, and the estab-
lishment of the independence of the
States, are the names OF Rodney, Reed,
Bayard, Bassett, Bedford and others,
whilst the pages of history which re-
count the heroic deeds Of war, are en-
blszoned by the names OF Haslett and
Hall, and are illumined with especial
effdlgence by those of ''the company OF
Delaware. under the brave Kirkvood,
TO whom, says General Gighthorse)
Henry Lee, in his 'Memoris,' none
could be superior" u4a ltD..
1t is an indisputable fact that little
Delaware, in her Rodneys, Reeds, Bay.
ards, CIaytons, ETC.. has ever contribu-
ted her full quota of patriotism, cour.
age, talents and craftsmanship to the
councils Of the Republic and full well
is It known that nothing but the small
political influence Of the State, because
OF her diminutive proportions and in
considerable population, has kept some
OF them from reaching that highest
station in the gift of the people, to
which their great abilities and valuable
services entitled them the Presidency.
The unusual degree to which a high
order of intellec ual capacity has been
transmitted from parent to child,
through as many as four generations in
the Adams family, of Massachusetts.
has often been the subject of remark
but that instances, similar in kind and
degree, have occurred in al least three
Delaware families, ii not SO generally
known.
OF the Rodneys, after Cse,ar, q sign
or of the Declaration of Iudependen
and a prominent member OF the Cont
mental Oongress-came Cesar A. who
was q distinguished Senator in Con.
gress, and United States Attorney Gen.
eral Daniel. who served with ability
IN both Houses of Congress, and was
also Governor of this St>ts; George
b., who, with NJ less ability and dis.
Rtinctions solved two terms II the lower
House OF Congress, and, withdrawing
from public life, devoted himself ex.
clusively to the profession OF law, ard
reached, and still holds leading posi-
therein, and John H., who, though O
young man, gives abundant evidence
that the reputation of his family, now,
in large degree left to his keeping,
will not suffer thereby.
OF the Reeds, succeeding George,
the signer of the Declaration, and q
distinguished member of the Cont
mental Congress, are George, IT., enc
OF the ablest lawyers and most elo-
quent advocates who has ever prac
ticed law in this State; then George
and VIM. T., both gentlemen Of nm.
common ability and fine culture. emf
nent at the bar, but who neither aspired
to, nor held public stations. The exhi
bition OF talents in this family, has not
been restricted to the male line, for
Miss Marian Reeves, (Fadette) daugh
ter, and granddaughter of the last
George, have, each as author, added
lustre to distinguished name. Weari-
thorn, one OF the sweetest of Miss
Reeves stories is about to be dramat-
lied for, and to be put upon the stage
by the celebrated Maggie Mitchell.
1t is better known, that the present
Senator, the Hon. Thomas f. Bayard,
Delaware's favorite son, in whom the
best qualities of the human heart and
mind are embodied, is the fourth of his
name and family who has occupied and
honored that exalted position. But Of
him 1 shall have more to say in sub
sequent letter.
FIRE IN New YoRK. New York, Feb,
ruary 8 "A fire broke out at haIt.psst
8 o'clock this evening at No. 1876 Grand
street, which proved the most destruc.
tive for years. The fire burned through
the entire block bounded by Grand,
Howard, Broadway and Crosby streets,
altogether about thirty buildings. Tue
total loss is estimated at four and a half
millions. One firm, Caspin, Brunderet
Il Co., lace dealers, estimate their loss
at million aud q half Flvet lildings
ON Broadway were asVed, ana all on
Grand street except No. l25, where the
fire broke out. Two fireuIva, David
Clute. foreman, and John II. Bush, as
sistant, were killed, and several Others
injured by the falling walls. At one
time it was feared that the heart OF the
city would burn. Great crowds and
much excitement. The fire was COM
pletely under control by half-past ten
o'clock. The Continental Hotel and
several tenement houses were among
the buildings destroyed.
BRowNsvmLE, Tenn, February T.
Samuel Boyd, Deputy United States
! Marshal, was shot and killed on Satur-
day evening by H. M. Clarke, one OF
the editors of the Democrat, in quar-