Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1904-06-24

cAl'euIllo1, anu, DeSlueS, tDc province
had its exposed harbor and the Indian
raids on Its frontier TO think of. The
Pennsylvania delegation refused to
vote on separation and left their seats
in anger. Maryland had few griev-
ances
And what of New Jersey? There
was Toryism intrenched Its royal
governor, the son of the benevolent
faced patriot, Benjamin Franklin, went
breathing fire against the Wings. Not
till he had been shipped to Connect
cut in irons, not till congress had sent
three of it's members to argue, to
plead, to storm, did its assembly de-
clare for freedom.
Think not that those who hesitated
were not men of honor, jealous for the
welfare of their country. Not every
one believed George III. another such
despot as Philip II. of Spain or the
bloody minded man the radicals illib-
orally called him. The storm was
high on the horizon. And it is the
part of wisdom to count well the cost
of desperate ventures. Against the
colonies was pitted the mistress Of the
seas-a king, innumerable battalions,
armament, navies, money and the
prestige of hereditary possession. The
colonies stood alone.
There were those who, like Henry,
whose clear eye saw the future as with
divination, pinned faith upon Gallo
enmity to England and looked for a
sign of aid. But the months came and
went without its appearance. Now the
Third congress was sitting, and France
was silent Granted a defiance to
Great Britain, the outcome was doubt
ful-how doubtful five red years of
smoke and blood were to demonstrate.
AS the pendulum vibrated a British
fleet in the Delaware brought the war
within hearing, and Lord Howe hove
to off Sandy Hook with all his army.
The congress was, after all, minia-
ture of the country. 1t held a Tory
party who awaited some disaster to
become dangerous. 1t held faint hearts
who croaked, respondent ones who
predicted ruin and brave hearts that
dared a struggle they believed would
be uncertain.
On such a field for twenty-five long
days q determined battle was fought. 1t
ended at last, and one evening Thomas
Jefferson of Virginia betook himself to
a little house back of an Oblong green,
where lived DR.. Franklin, and wrote
the first draft Of the Declaration of In
dependence.
There comes time in the history OF
every great movement when it must go
forward or die. Lethargy breeds reac-
ton. The fierce fight for a Declaration
had marked this point now. In the
three days since the vote the opposition
had gathered its shattered forces.
! There were new mutterings, and the
| little Virginian delegation in the shop
of Mr.. James Randolph on High street
knew that the defiance which was to be
offered on the morrow, If it were to be
signed at all, must be signed quickly.
So out of humid morning grew the
afternoon of the Sd of July for Phila-
delphia. 1t came IN heat with brazen
sky.
Opposite Mr.. Randolph's shop on the
same evening Joseph Galloway, the
lawyer, walking slowly, paused and
looked across the street. He was thick
set and middle aged, with a smooth,
crafty face and restless eyes.
He had lacked Wing patriotism in
The First congress. The Second would
have none of him. And yet he had ear
lier led the popular party against the
proprietary. Such strange Overturnings
the new idea of freedom was bringing
about. The fierce Tory rancor which
had made Of this man at first "the de-
fender of the prerogauve" was to con-
vert him later INTO a spy, a refugee and
O sour pensiorer of George Ill.
Now, there was the open hatred of a
bitter Tory in the look Joseph Galloway
cast upon the little shop.
Good day, Mordecai," he said in
greeting to rotund merchant Quaker
who joined him. Il see you also look
ing. What think you our Virginia hot
bloods will brew next in their den yon-
DER"
The Quaker frowned. Il love them
not" he answered. What saith the
Scriptures? For the weapons of ouI
warfare are not carnal, but mighty
) through God to the pulling down OF
strongholds.'
Gentlemen of birth and wealth, for
sooth," continued Galloway angrily
land yet prating like the veriest clout'
of independence and brotherhood
Whose was the bill to separate from
Great Britain? Richard Henry Lees
And who has written the Declaration
that is to be thrust beneath the dele
gates noses tomorrow? Thomas Jeffer
son. These Virginians! Would we hat
never heard of Virginia before we CANT
to this!
Look you He broke off anC
pointed with his stick where a coacl