The Newark star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1909, 1909-10-13
ASK NATIONAL PARK
TO MARK CROSSING
OF THE DELAWARE
Memento of Washington's Feat
Suggested at Trenton Co
Inmbus Day Fete.

TRENTON, Oct. 1s.-puring the
celebration Of Columbus Day here a
movement was launched to interest the
national government and the officials
of New Jersey and PENNSYLVANIA in a
plan to acquire lands along both banks
Washington made his famous crossing
as a park to commemorate that feat.
The proposition was enthusiastically
received by the large audience In Tay-
lor's Opera House.
In the course of the speech in which
he preached the scheme, James Kerney,
editor of the Trenton Times, said:
"on behalf of the knights of Column
bus and at the suggestion of those hav-
ing immediate charge of this celebra-
ton, I have been asked to present a
matter that ought, and I know Will, APP
peal strongly to the stout-hearted
patriotism of the entire country. We
have today begun to pay belated hom-
age to the memory of the bold naviga-
tor who made possible the proud dis
tinction of being an American citizen.
And before this first happy observance
of Columbus Day is brought to a close
want to inaugurate a movement that
We hope will result In the fitting preser-
walton and establishment of the sacred
ground where Washington planned and
began the execution of the remarkable.
military. movement that made possible.
the still prouder distinction of being a
free and Independent American citizen.
THE crossing of the Delaware en-
abled the commander of the American
forces 10. fight The decisive, and per-
hsps the greatest, battle Of the Rsvolus
tion. Contemplate for q moment the
stirring memories OF that time and the
glorious history resultant from that
move. It was at that crisis in u af-
fairs that Paine was prompted to pen
These are the times that try mems
souls and the Colonial Secretary OF
State gave voice to the true British
feeling in his declaration All our hopes
were blasted by hat unhappy affair
at Trenton OF the event, Washing
ton himself wrote No man, I believe,
had O greater choice of difficulties n
less means to extricate himself from
Them
ut was here that the worlds war
experts awakened from the fact that
Washington was a military genius. Yet
in the intervening hundred n
thirty-three, years. no serious attempt
seems to have been made to have the
national government or the States Of
New Jersey and Pennsylvania acquire
and conserve for posterity this hallowed
spot along the Delaware.
Nov let the citizens of Trenton
awaken, and what we suggest Is that
this great meeting shall adopt the fol-
lowing:
whereas, the crossing of the Della
ware River by General Washington and
his army In the early morning of De-
cember 26. 1776, at a point seven miles
above Trenton, was the strategic move
that made possible the subsequent vic.
tory of the American arms over the
British at Trenton-a victory that is
recognized as having been the turning
point In the Revolution; and,
whereas nothing has been done
either by the national government or
the governments of New Jersey and
Pennsylvania to acquire and preserve
the historic lands on either side of the
river at the point where Washington
made his memorable crossing; be 1t
Resolved, That the Governor of New
Jersey be, and he is hereby respectfully
petitioned to invite a number of repre-
sentatives citizens, including u Sen
ators' and Representatives In, Congress,
and the presidents of the Revolutionary
societies of the State, to come together
and formulate plans with the object In
view of having the national government
and the governments of Pennsylvania
! and New Jersey cooperate in acquiring
and preserving as a public park the
lands along the Delaware River at
what Is known as Washington's Cross
ing, ard be 1t further
Resolved, That all patriotic organ
izations be urgently invited to lend
their active and earnest support to the
movement.
Other speakers at the meeting were
Archbishop Falconip. the papal dele
gate, who euloglzed the knights of
| Columbus and Governor Fort.