Evening journal., 1915-05-22
In Hearty Accord With Plan To
Memorabilia RodHey's Great Ride
(By Congressman Thomas W. Miller.)

month and a traitor to be tried for
treason the following month if the
arms Of the King of England pre-
vailed
II was men of the resolute daring
and fearlessness of Caesar Rodney
during the Revolutionary period who
saved our people from continuing
as vassals of the King of England;
if we had not had such men we would
today without a doubt be sending the
youth and flower OF Our land 80 the
European battle-felds the same as the
British colonies are now doing.
The achievements of Caesar Rod
ney cause his name and memory TO
stand forth as the predominating fig
ure among the early heroes OF this
State. He is undoubtedly the bright
est figure of the number of exception
al men that Delaware produced dur
ing the Revolutionary period. lt is not
only fitting, therefore, but IL should be
the duty of this State today TO perpet-
uate the memory of Caesar Rodney
so that Il may shine forth amongst
us as the real Caesar Rodney shone
in flesh and blood before our fore
fathers
The Court House Square in the city
of Wilmington is an ideal spot for
statue Of DelawGre's first citizen to
be placed. There is no location with.
In the boundaries of this State which
is passed by more persons in their
daily intercourse than the plot of
ground upon which the present Court
House is situated 1t is also ada
cent to the center where a great num-
Der Of our transient guests and friends
would be afforded an opportunity of
seeing the monument should it be
erected. If their curiosity should lead
them to questioning, an opportunity
would be opened for spreading far
and wide the name anG memory of
Caesar Rodney and, in addition, the
recognition and honor accorded him
! by his native State.
The records obtained lead to the be-
/ lief that Rodney actually passed with
( in sight or possibly through the prop
erty on which the Court House now
stands. In mentioning the route of
Rodneys famous ride there is brought
to mind an additional means of do
ing honor to this hero by erecting a
series of markers along the route
leading from south Delaware through
Wilmington and to the boundary line
OF our sister State within whose en-
yirons the Continental Congress was
sitting at the time of the ride. This
idea is brought forward only as a
prelude TO the proposition for the
erection of the statue should that be
accomplished.
The ride of Paul Revere in the
Revolutionary War has been immOrt-
allied not only by verse but by statues
throughout the New England common
wealth which produced him. Likewise
the ride Of General Phil Sheridan in
the Civil War has been immortalized
These two similar occurrences were
on the field of battle and while il is
not the intention of the writer to de-
tract one iota from the bright lustrC
of their accomplishments it can bt
stated that no great permanent issu,
hinged on the success of these two
rides such as hinged upon Rodney
, reaching Philadelphia in time to throw
, Delaware's weight in favor of adopt
, ing the Declaration of Independence.
) Il was not until a hundred year.
! after the death of Caesar Rodne,
! that the citizens of this State tool
/ any action whatever to recognize hi
- services to the nation. In 1887 hi
1 remains we're disinterred and amids
. fitting ceremonies a monument wa
I erected over them in the historic bury
? ing grounds at Dover.
e II should now behoove all true an
q loyal citizens of this State. either in
p dividually, or collectively through or
" ganizatiOns. to so exert themselve
S that the proposition for an eQuestria
. statue of Caesar Rodney shall becom
G an actual reality. We would the
n have in our midst a reminder Of tn
It brightest chapter in the life of ou
/. State and nation which would act a
S an incentive to the present as we'll a
e to future generations.