The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1909-07-02

' Richard Henry Lee was a distinguished de-
batter from Virginia. and when he was dele
gated to represent the old Colony" in the
continental congress he was instructed by the
Legislature of Virginia to introduce a resolution
into the continental body declaring complete
remuneration Of colonial allegiance to mother
England. and if there is a man in all history
who fearlessly championed 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 7, introduced the following
resolution, declaring: THAT these united colo
MES 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 a man
of great mental strength could have won so
glorious a victory, since the delegates were at
this time unprepared to accept such a declara-
tion. and few indeed entertained seriously the
thought of proclaiming thus boldly for free
dom. Lee we'll knew that If 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
of rebellion and action as a traitor.
Americans underestimate his power, his WIS
dom. and his depth Of patriotism-Ior ne was
indeed the Samuel Adams OF the south, ana
his fiery o%rations. filled with inspiring CHI
makes. place him certainly well to the front,
when we contemplate the magnitude of colo
MIA, separation. Further investigation Will
show that the assembled delegates, though
thoroughly aroused by the eloquence or Lee
felt the necessity of shielding so daring a per
sonage. and Immediately after Lees motlon
demanding separation, seconded by Jonh
Adams of Massachusetts, there appears in the
Journal of Congress this protecting or shield
ing" entry of certain resolutions respecting
independence being moved and seconded, re
solved. That the consideration OF them be
deferred . = ~ ,. The records then snow
that the congress directs that the secretary
omit the names of its mover and secOnder,
xom the Journals" What better evidence 90
I'VE require that Lee was in advance OF MS
compatriots and that his attitude was ex-
tremely dangerous.
The delegates were not anxious to CONSIDER
the rebellious resolution, but Mr.. Lee was III
earnest and had won a few of the giants 10
his cause, and though the delegates nad eA-
pressed the hope of considering the step on
June s at 10 in the morning, nothing was oone
until June 10, when, after a few warm speeches.
for and against, the resolution was held to
come before the congress July l. Lee antci-
mated that a committee might be appointed,
and he had prepared an outline OF the grlev'
ances setting forth the attitude OF the colonies
jim fact, he knew he would be named the
chairman Of the COMMITTEES on declaration, ana
was busy preparing himself for the colossal
task of drafting the Magma Charta OF the DIS
turbed colonies, when by stage mail he was
informed of the sudden and severe illness OF
his wife. His devotion to her was proyerDlal
and the great Lee now stood between iov'