Rocky Ford enterprise., 1909-07-02

batter from Virginia. and when he was dele
gated to represent the "Oid Colony" in the
continental congress he was instructed by the
legislature of Virginia to introduce resolution
into the continental body declaring complete
Tenunciation Of colonial allegiance to mother
England and II there is a man in all history
who fearlessy chanpioned the principle Of in
dividual rights and personal liberty. it was
Richard Henry Lee.
The records show that his eloquence was
matchless. and his logic the very soundest
when he. on June I. introduced the following
resolution. declaring: That these united colo
nes are. and of right ought to be. free and
independent states: that they are absolved
from all allegiance to the British crown: and
that all political connection between them and
the state Of Great Britain is. and ought to be.
totally dissolved"
This rebellious resolution brought consterna-
ton to many of the delegates. and only man
Of great mental strength could have won SO
glorious a victory. since the delegates were at
this time unprepared to accept such declara-
tion and few indeed entertained seriously the
thought Of proclaiming thus boldly for free
dom. Lee well knew that IL his resolution
failed to receive support he would be uncom-
Portable in the congress. and might expect
death at the hands Of England for his words
Arebellion and action as a traitor.
.Nmericans underestimate his power, his wis
~ and his depth of patriotism-for he was
nHeed the Samuel Adams of the south. and
his fiery orations filled with inspiring eli
MAKES. place him certainly well to the front.
when we contemplate the magnitude OF colo
nial separation. Further investigation will
show that the assembled delegates. though
thoroughly aroused by the eloquence OF Lee.
felt the necessity of shielding so daring a per-
sonage and Immediately after Lees motion
demanding separation. seconded by John
Adams of Massachusetts, there appears in the
Journal of Congress this protecting or shield
ing, entry of certain resolutions respecting
,nSenendence being moved and seconded. Re-
solved. That the consideration OF them be
dafer,ed ." The records then show
that the congress directs that the secretary
omit the names Of its mover and seconder.
from the Journals" What better evidence 90
we reoure that Lee in advance OF his
comnatriots and that his attitude was ex-
tremely dangerous.
Tho delegates were not anxious to consider
the rebelious resolution. but Mr.. Lee was in
earrast and had won a few OF the giants to
bis cause and though the delegates had ex-
nressed tho hone of considering the step on
lime q at 10 in the morning. nothing was done
until June 10, when, after re" warm spee.n
for .rd AGAINST the resolution was held to
come hefore the congress July /. Lee antici-
natoa that n committee might be appointed,
| and be had prepared an outline OF the gr1eV-
ances setting forth the attitude OF the colohles
lin fact he knew he would pe hahed the
chairman of the committee on declaration ana
twas busy preparing himself Tor the coiossai
task of drafting the Magma Charta oi the us
lurbed colonies, when by stage man NC "
SSned Of the sudden and severe hiness VI
0hisV Wife. His devotion to ner was p'o,e '"A.
Ind the great Lee now stood between love