Evening journal., 1915-05-11
TUESDAY MAY II. 1915
JUDGE GRUBB's RINGING APPEAL TO DELLA
WAREANS

EORMER JUDGE IGNATIUs c. GRUBB contributes
to our columns today ringing appeal TO Della
do honor the memory of Caesar Rodney.
II written request Every and woman,
and every child who is old enough to understand it,
should read t. Those who do so will find in it in
spraton to do something to memorabilia in bronze and
the horseback ride that Rodney took to lndepen
dcnce Hall. Philadelphia in 1876 to swing Delaware
into line for tho Declaration Of independence and in
cdentay. lead other of the colonies that had been
wavering to give to that immortal document their ap
prova and support.
II will be seen that Judge Grub earnestly urges all
patriotic societies and citizens to participate in the
movement to erect in the new Court House Square in
this city equestrian statue of Rodney the Rider.
He also calls attention tc the opportunity the creation
Of this square offers for a site for such a me-
mortal He advances conclusive why that place
should be selected the spot upon which Delawareans
should this proposed tribute TO the heroic man
who did much for this State and nation when they
in course Of formation by patriots who had
fused to submit longer to British tyranny.
The article shows several things clearly. They con-
sttute controlling why Caesar Rodney above
all Others should be honored httngy by the people of
State. He was the only native-born Delawarean
who sat a delegate from Delaware in that momen-
tous assemblage which sundered the political ties that
had bound the American colonies to the mother country
He the only delegate from this Who afflicted
by malady that had placed the seal of death upon
him, made the ride against time to raise his voice and
his vote in support of the Declaration Rodney
was one of the foremost citizens OF the State OF Della
v@re He served it in important legislative, execu-
nIe and judicial capacities and figured conspicuously
the military activities in that stormy period in which
A merican patriotism rode sdeby-side with peril and
Fhoath He gave his time, his intelligence his health
and his substance the of liberty He dedicated
20 his life and his fortune He died poor pocket
but rich in patriotic reputation Today he stands out
In history great figure who is deserving of sig
{ina honor at the hands of his fellow-counrymen and
at the hands Of his fellow-D eawareans
II the Court House Square is be graced by an
equestrian statute of Rodney it can and should come
about in only way That is for all patriotic So
ciees and citizens to show their appreciation the
manold public services and private sacrifices OF
great by engaging in praiseworthy conspiracy of
cooperation that will bring it about. They owe it to
his memory The debt is long overdue. II the credit
OF our commonwealth and its people is to be main
tained the obligation must be met Now is the time
to do it, There should be holding back in any
quarter. The enterprise is we'll worth while
There is no Delawarean OF today who does not owe
to Caesar Rodnoys memory portion of that debt OF
gratitude The only way to meet it is by cooper.
alton contribution The entire project has its oun
dalton upon the sentiment underlying those two words
Bear that fact in mind Act upon it. Come the front
DO your part in the spirit of love and selfsacri
hce that impeed Caesar Rodney to take his ride I,
make his speech, to cast his vote to risk his life, I,
give his time to disspate his private fortune and I,
die impoverished that liberty might live and posteri,
might prosper in the nation and the commonwealth
that he loved so we'll
1t is in that spirit you should approach this me
mortal project if you arc get the best there is GU
Of il and do justice to the memory of Delawares great
est patriot.