Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1911-08-29

A FOAMIN0 STEED DASHED DITTO TIE YARD.
freedom, but not II the colonies were
divided. And there were some good
men who did not believe 1t best to
take this step at this time. -Four OF
the seven delegates Of Pennsylvania
were opposed to It, and Of the two
Delaware delegates present Thomas
Mexican was in favor Of independ'
ence. but George Read was opposed to
the measure. Caesar Rodney, the 9TH
err member, was in the southern part
of his state in the capacity Of briga'
der general, organizing and drilling
troops for the coming struggle.
Two Of 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 neces.
sary to carry the state of Delaware
A messenger was dispatched In hot
haste to summon him to Philadelphia
and then for four hours the patriots
Of 70" talked and unanswered TO de
lay the final vote. On Thursday, July
4, congress was to vote on the mo-
mentous question.
On the afternoon Of the Sd the
messenger found Caesar Rodney In
Sussex county. more than eighty miles
from Philadelphia. General Rodney
was at that time forty-si1 years old
with a tall. lean. worn figure. his face
SCARED by cancer that was finally
to cause his death. The brave patriot
did not hesitate. Saddle the black!
he commanded. and In ten minutes he
had mounted his faithful steed and
was galloping as II for life to tie
northward.
The stars faded out Of the morning
sky. and the sun came up red and
fiery. the herald Of a sultry -iay. And
still Caesar Rodney kept on his way
He was yet many miles from Phiia
delphia. Would he be In time to make
his country great and Independent;
His horse was jaded, and he was
travel worn and covered with dust
but the patriot did not slacken rein
He must be there to vote for the indie
pendence of America. and he war
there. All that hot, sweltering July
day the delegates Of the colonial con
gress were talking and voting In indie
pendence hall. The session had begun
The president. John Hancock. was In
the chair. and the clerk. John Dickin
son. was calling the colonies one by
one. Virginia had voted. and Mnssa
chusetts and the great state Of New
York and the little state Of Rhode ls
land. and now New Jersey was voting
and Caesar Rodney had not come.
Anxious and worried. Thomas Nc
Kerr went out to the door Of indie
pendence hall. Would his friend and
compatriot De too late7 His face
frightened as he heard the sound OF
hurrying hoof beats coming up Chest
nut street. A fpaming. painting steed
dashed into the yard. Its dusty rider
leaped to the ground. Booted and
spurred and the dust Of his long ride
thick on his long tapped coat and iron
gray hair. Caesar Rodney entered the
hall of congress leaning on his friend
McKean's arm.
He was Just in time The vote OF
Della ware was being called. George
Read voted nay. Aver called the
clear voice of Thomas Mexican. 1t
was a tie. All eyes turned to Caesar
Rodney. The famous rider cleared his
throat. and many a patriot heart beat
with pride rs he declared in firm tones:
1.-THE voice of my constituents and OF
all sensible and honest men. I believe.
Ia in favor of independence. and my
own judgment concurs with them;
therefore vote for the Declaration"
And 80 Caesar Rodney by his famous
ride and by his noble vote helped to
settle the question Of independence and
insured the future celebrations OF
July4.