Evening journal., 1915-05-11

Memorials concentrating lofty
virtues and noble deeds powerfully
appeal to human kind from youth to
old age. arousing emotions, creating
aspirations. inspiring ambitions and
stimulating endeavors which elevate
the individual and uplift the race.
Il is this thought which has evoked
the growing public desire appro-
priately to commemorate the virtues
and patriotic services of Caesar Rod
ney.
Your stirring editorial in last Fri
days EVENING JOURNAL and your
instructive and vivid review Of Rod
ney's notable career and ancestry
have aroused widespread interest
and will greatly aid the movement
now begun for purchasing and erect
ing an equestrian statue in the pro-
posed courthouse new square in this
city i'm commemOration of his famous
ride and illustrious services in behalf
of American independence.
AS a means of arOusing the State
pride and patriotic fervor which have
ever glowed i'm the hearts of all true
Delawareans. your editorial, If re-
published i'm every newspaper OF
Delaware, could not fail to inspire and
incite her citizens, both as Organi-
cations and individuals, TO take such
prompt and jealous action as will Sc
cure the early and complete success
of the proposed commemorative
movement.
In your friendly ardor you have
given me a prominence and credit
which / neither deserve nor desire,
but which must justly be accorded to
others who are far more praise
worthy and capable in originating
and conducting to a successful con-
clusion this eminently patriotic and
commendable movement.
The recent efforts of the Delaware
Daughters of the American Revolu-
ton TO place memorial of Caesar
Rodney in Independence Hall, Phila-
delphia, have revived public interest
in his remarkable personality and
career and awakened the desire to
erect within our State some suitable
memorial of her illustrious son whose
lofty virtues and heroic deeds won
imperishable fame for both his State
and himself.
These efforts, in turn, have enlist
ed the interest and vigorous intellect
of the most distinguished living gen.
eral of the Civil War-long an honor
ed resident and adopted son of Della
ware-General James II. Wilson
whose soldierly sympathy and public
spirit have impelled him to originate
and actively urge the project of erect
ing an equestrian statue at some site
along the route of Rodney's memoir
able ride from Dover to Philadelphia
to decide and cast Delaware's vote il
favor OF the immortal Declaration o
independence.
In response to his inquiry for al
appropriate historic site along Rod
ney's probable route, / suggested Il
him the square in Wilmington upol
which the courthouse now stands
and from which IL is to be removed
il is said, upon the completion of tn
new County and City Building. so a
| to convert the entire square into
handsome public park.
With a view to aiding this project
| prepared the resolution which wa
unanimously adopted by the Della
ware Society of Colonial Wars at il
recent annual meeting on May 81
inst, appointing a committee of fv
of its members to participate an
unite with the patriotic societies an
individual citizens of Delaware in al
earnest and active organized move
ment to procure and erect, so 500
as the proposed new square or par
is completed, the desired equestria
statue of Caesar Rodney.
This resolution and project alread
have been published and EDITORIAL
favored by THE EVENING JOURNAL
and by The Every Evening and Morn
ing News. as initiating an organize
movement in behalf of a most worth
and commendable undertaking.
Nothing is so essential to assur