The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1909-10-20
PROJECT FOR MEMORIAL PARK At
WASHlNGTON'S CROSSING.

ting close of notable celebration,
took the first step toward establishing
national Park at Washington Cross.
ing, where the -in-chief oil
the American forces gained entrance
into New Jersey on the night proceed.
ing the Battle of Trenton.
These proceedings were in the ma
ture of set of resolutions offered by
Trenton Council, No. 355, calling for
a commission to be appointed by
Governor Fort to cooperate with Il
similar commission to be asked for
from Pennsylvania to take the matter
up with Congress. The measure met
with the approval of the entire assem-
blage, and when Gov. Fort commenc-
ed his address, he eomplimented the
organization for the step aud de.
clared that he was in hearty accord
with the movement, and would give il
his support.
The preamble to and the resolution
were read by Civil Service Commits
sioner james Kerney, and offered by
him as member of Trenton Council,
Knights of Columbus. Mr.. Doyle,
who was acting as temporary chair
man of the meeting, asked for those
in accord with the movement to rise,
and there was no OPPOSITION to the
movement.
Commissioner Kerney. before pre-
senting the resolution said;
ION behalf of the Knights of Col
umbus and at the suggestion of those
having immediate charge of this cele-
bration, have been asked to present
a matter that ought, aud l know will
appeal strongly to the stouthearted
patriotism of the entire country. We
have to-day begun to pay belated
homage to the memory of the bold
navigator who made possible the
proud distinction of being an Ameri-
can citizen. And before this first
happy observance of Columbus Day is
brought to close we want to inaug-
urate a movement that we hope will
result in the fitting preservation and
establishment of the sacred ground,
where Washington planned aud be-
gan the execution of the remarkable
military movement that made possible
the still prouder distinction of being
a free and independent American citi-
zen. The crossing of the Delaware
enabled the commander of the Ameri-
can forces to fight the decisive and
perhaps the greatest battle of the Rev
CLINTON.
"Nor is this alone our claim to con-
sideration in history. Trenton mar
rowly missed being the capital of the
1884 and appropriated $4,000 to lay
ont a federal city on the banks of the
Delaware, but the following autumn
the southern influences succeeded i'll
defeating the proposition, aud the
federal government was actually con-
Quoted here for brief period
before the removal Of the Of
fees to the District of Columbia
Washington himself WAS in Trenton
on several occasions, beside the bleak
December morn OF 1776. 1t was neal
here, while en- route to take command
of the army on June %, 1775. that hi
first heard the news of the battle oil
Bunker Hill; and, in 1889, when OF
his way to be inaugur ated rs the first
President of the United States, the
= people of Trenton gave Washington II
reception that earned prominent
place in history.
"Despite all this, were it not for the
zeal of the Society Of the Cincinnati
and the Bucks County Historical So
ciety. the spot at which the Father OF
his Country crossed to the Jersey
shore wonld have remained unmarked
These societies have placed on either
shore tablets to mark the point, and
we honor them for it. Now let the
citizens Of Trenton awaken and what
we suggest is that this great meeting
shall adopt the following:
"Whereas, The crossing of the Del
aware River by General Washington
aud his army i'll the early morning OF
December 26, l776. at point seven
miles above Trenton, WAS the STRAIT
egic move that made possible the sub
sequent victory of the American arms
over the British ut Trenton--a victory
that is recognized as having been the
turning point i'll the Revolution; and,
"W hereas, 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 ut the point where Washing
ton made his memorable crossing: be
it
"Resolved, That the Governor of
New Jersey be, and he is, hereby re-
specially petitioned to invite num-
Der of representative citizens, includ-
ing our Senators 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 hay.
ing the national government and the
governments of Pennsylvania and
New Jersey cooperate in acquiring
and preserving as public park the
lands along the Delaware River al
what is known as Washington Cross
ing; and be it further
Resolved, That all patriotic organi
cations be urgently invited to lent
their active and earnest support tt
the movement"
New Jersey State tuberculosis Commits.
aim