Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1906-01-26

IL happened on that famous tOurth
OF July, lI16, the day on which the
American colonies were declared Tree
and independent states. IL Caesar
Rodney had not made his historic ride
there might not have been any flee
America today.
The provisional congress was III ses.
sion at Philadelphia, each OF tie thir-
teen colonies having rcprese natives
there. II was a great congress-, and Il
momentous question was before the
distinguished body. The great charter
OF our freedom Ind been written by
Jefferson and Benjamin Harrison. father
AID great-grandfathes OF presidents,
had presented it to corcrcs on Monday,
july l. What would the Continental
congress do?
In order that our country should be
free and independent the declaration
must be adopted. ibis could be done il
only the colonies were united, and
there were some good men who did not
believe II best Ia take this step ut this
time. -Four of the seven delegates of
Pennsylvania we're opposed to It, and,
Of the two Delaware delegates present.
Thomas Mexican was IN favor Of indie.
pendencc, but George Read WAS op.
posed to the measure. Caesar Rodney,
the other member, was III the southern
part NJ his state i'll tho capacity Of Il
bIgadier g%cnerel. organizing and driil.
irI troops for the coming struggle.
Two Uf the opposing Pennsylvania
delegates were persuaded to absent
themselves. and thus the Keystone State
would favor the declaration. but the
vote Of Caesar Rodney WAS necessary to
carry the state Of Delaware. y mes.
scngcr was dispatched III hot haste &c
summon him :" ''aIHi:irhin, ana thcn
for four days the pat riots at rs" ..:..;y,i
and unanswered to delay the nual vote.
On Thursday. July /. congress was tu
vote on the momeutOus question.
On the afternoon of the 3i the mes
sengcr found Caesar Rodney III Sussex
county, more than eighty miles from
Philadclrlia. General Rodney was at
that time f~osty-six years old. with Il tall,
lean, worm figure, his face Scared by a
cancer hat was finally to cause his
death. The brave patriot did not hest
Htte. SADDLE the black he command.
ed. and In ten minutes he had mounted
his faithful sterd and Was gallopIng IA
il Ter lie 10 the northwari.
Eirhfy milo. uuru, from, sy.avr.Es
which was waiting for him To declare
the independence OF the colonies. The
thought caused him 20 drive his spurs
deep into hj5 iIo:zG's Hanks and sen,
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 de5tiniCs OF America, and his rider
knew il, and there was neither halt
nor delay.
Tie sun vent dowp. and the stars
came out one by one III the blue vault
OF heaven, ard that solitary rider rush
ed on his way. All through the cool
summer night Caesar Rodney kept up
his reckless pace.
The s;nIs faded out of the morning
eky, and the gun came up red and fiery,
the herald of a sultry day. And still
Ceasar Rodney kept on his way. lie
was yet many miles from Philadelphia.
His horse WIS jadrd, and be was travel
worn and covered with dust, but tho pat.
riot did not slackcn his rein. He must
be there 10 vote for the independence ui
America. And he was there. All that
bot, swcltermg July day the delegates Of
the colonial congress were talking and
voting in Independence hall. Tho scs-
sion had begun. Tho president. John
Hancock, was in the chair, and the clerk.
John Dickinson. WAS calling the colonies
one by one. Virginia had voted and
Massachusetts and the great state Of
New York and tho little state Of Rhode
Island, and nov New Jcrsey was voting,
and Cacanr Rodney had not come.
Anxioul and worried, Thomaa Nc.
koan went oat to the door 81 indie pend.
cnCe hail. Would his friend and COM
patriot DO too late? lis face frightened
~ 10 heard the sound OF hurylng hoof
beats coming up Chestnut street. \
.Oaming, painting stocd dashed into the
yard. Its dusty rider lcapcd 10 tho
ground. looted aud apurrcd and the
dust Of his long ride thick on hia long
Mapped coat ind iron gray hair, Caesar
Rodney entered the hall of cOngrcFa
leaning on hia fiicnd MCKcan's arm.
llo was Just III time. The vote of Del.
aware was being called. George Read
voted "Nay.' -Ayc!- called The clear
voice Of Thomn9 Mexican. II was Il tic,
All cyCG turned to Cncsar Roincy. The
famous rider cleared his ~tiirCat, and
mRLy n patriot heart bent with PRIDE as
no declared in firm tone: "Ihe voice OF
IN, constituents and oi all sensible and
h0ucst mon, | believe, ~ in favor Of
independence. and my own jndgmcn,
concura with them; therefore | vote Tor
the Declaration
And 40 Cacsar Rodney by his famous
ride and 10y his mobile vote helped to cot
tie the question OF independence and in.
49, H.