The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1906-01-15
A HISTORIC JOURNEY
CAESAR RoDNEY's GREAT HORSE
BACK RIDE m t776.

cncc WAS saved hy q Vote In the
Session of che Provisional Congress
In Philadelphia.
II happened ON that famous Fourth
OF July 1916. the doy ON which the
American colonies were declared free
and independent states. If Caesar Rod
ney had not made his historic ride there
might not have been any free America
today
The provisional congress was In SIS
sion at Philadelphia each Of the thin
teen colonies having representatives,
there IL was great congress, and a
momentous question was before the
distinguished body. The great charter
of our freedom had been written by
Jefferson. aud Benjamin Harrison ia
ther and great grandfather Of presi.
dents, had presented II to congress on
Monday, July /. What would the Con
tnental congress dol
In order that our country should he
free and independent the declaration
must be adopted. This could be done II
only the colonies were divided, and
there were some good men who did not
believe It best to take this step at this
time. Four Of the seven delegates Of
Pennsylvania were opposed 10 1t, and,
of the two Delaware delegates present
Thomas Mexican was I'm favor Of indie
pcudcnce, hut George Read was op
posed to the measure Caesar Rodney,
the other member, WAS in the southern
part of his state iu the capacity Of a
brigadicr general organizing and drill
ing troops for the coming struggle,
TWO of the opposing Pennsylvania
delegates wcrc persuaded 10 absent
themselves, aud thus the keystone
State would favor the declaration, but
the vote Of Caesar Rodney was nccos
sary TO carry the state Of Delaware
A messenger was dispatched in hot
haste 10 summon him 10 Philadelphia,
and then for four days the patriots
OF '7G" talked and mancuvered to de
lay the tnal vote. On Thursday, July
4. congress was to vote on the mo.
mcutOus question.
On the afternoon Of the 81 the
messenger found Caesar Rodney In
Sussex county, more than eighty miles
from Philadelphia. General Rodney
was at that time forty years old.
with tall, lean, worn figure. his face
Scared by cancer that was finally
to cause his death. The brave patriot
did not hesitate. saddle the blackI
he commanded ana in ten minutes he
had mounted his faithful steed and
was galloping rs If for life TO the
nOrthward.
Eighty miles away from congress,
which was waiting for him TO declare
the Independence Of the colonies. The
thought caused him to drive his spurs
deep into his horses tanks and sent
him flying along the long dusty high
way that stretched away toward the
Quaker city. 1t was one Of the great
rides of history That black stced
bore the destinies Of America and his
rider knew it. and there was neither
halt nor delay.
The sun went down, ana the stars
came out one by one in the blue vault
of heaven, and that solitary rider rush
ed on his way. All through the cool
summer night Caesar Rodney kept up
his reckless pace.
The stars faded out of the morning
sky. and the sun came up red and fiery,
the herald of sultry day. And still
Caesar Rodney kept on his way. He
was yet many miles from Philadelphia.
His horse was jaded and he was travel
worn and covered with dust, but the
patriot did not slackeu his rein. lie
must be there TO vote for the indepcnd-
ence of America. And he was there.
All that hot, swclterlng July day the
delegates of the colonial congress We're
talking and voting in Independence
hall The session had begun. The pres
ident, John Hancock, was in the chair,
and the clerk, John Dickinson, was
calling tie colonies one 10y one Nir-
ginia had voted and Massachusetts and
the great state of New York and the
little state of Rhode Island, and now
New Jersey was voting ana Caesar
Rodney had not come
Anxious and worried, Thomas Me
Kcan went out To the door OF lude.
pcndcnce hall Would his friend and
compatriot be too late? His face
frightened as he heard the sound of
hurryIng hoof beats coming up Chest
nut street. \ foamiug painting steed
dashed into the yard. Its dusty rider
leaped TO the ground. Booted and spur.
red and the dust OF his long ride thick
on his long tapped coat aud iron gray
hair, Caesar Rodney entered the hall OF
congress leaning on his friend Me
kean's arm.
He was just in time. The vote OF
Delaware was being called. George
Read voted "Nay," "Ayew called the
clear voice OF Thomas Mexican. 1t was
tie. All eyes turned 10 Caesar Rod
ney. The famous rider cleared his
throat, and many patriot heart beat
with pride as he declared In firm tone