Evening journal., 1915-05-11
JUDGE GRUB MAKES STIRRING APPEAL
TO DELAWAREANS TO HONOR THE
MEMORY OF RODNEY AND HIS RIDE
Ju Sets Forth Controlling Reason Why Equestrian Statue Should Be Set Up in
the New Court House Square By Patriotic Men and Women This State
Who Owe So Much To That Brave Soldier and Statesman
BY FORMER JUDGE IGNATIUs c. GRUBB.

success as thorough organization and
harmonious cooperation. If the So
ciety of Colonial Wars and the other
historical and philosophical assoc
Citations and individual citizens of
our city and State will at once zeal
ously and cordially unite in this
movement its early and creditable
achievement will certainly be
realized
1t is obvious that the selection of
the courthouse new square as the site
for the proposed equestrian statue
will be peculiarly advantageous in
certain very important respects.
It will be in our city's civic centre
and most frequented resort, where il
will be seen by the greatest number
! of persons and prove both pleasure
and a patriotic inspiration.
Its location will especially enlist
the interest and aid of our county and
city governments, and of our leading
| financial, industrial and commercial
public-spirited citizens and their
practical and potential participation
in the movement IL will also mark
a historic point along the route of
Caesar Rodney's famous horseback
ride in the early morn of that fate
full July 4, 1875, if it be found. upon
full investigation. that he actually
did pass in view of that very locality,
as now appears probable, upon a
hasty historical inquiry and a brief
examination of our most ancient town
map in the city engineers Office.
The authentic determination of the
precise route of Rodney's historic
ride, not only through Wilmington
but throughout its entire course from
start to finish, is matter of eXcep-
tional interest.
Any citizens who have written or
printed evidence, or even traditional
accounts, upon this question will
render a valuable service by COM
municating these to any of our Will
mington daily newspapers Tor public
information and will thus assist the
movement in favor of the proposed
Rodney memorial statue.
There is a particularly significant
and convincing reason why the pro-
posed memorial should be erected in
Rodney's honor.
OF the four eminent citizens of
Delaware who we're most conspicuous
and influential in our Revolutionary
struggle-namely John Dickinson,
George Read Thomas Mexican and
Caesar Rodney-Rodney alone was a
native of Delaware
Dickinson and Reed were born in
Maryland and Mexican in Chester
county Pennsylvania, and therefore
were adopted Delawarems.
Dickinson and Read were more
cautious by nature than Mexican and
Rodney. Both we're sincere patriots,
but believing that the colonies were
I then unprepared for war with Great
Britain. both opposed the adoption of
the Declaration of independence
= Read afterwards signed it but Dickin-
, son, adhering consistently to his con-
! victions, never did So although he
. bravely fought on the battlefelds fol
, freedom.
3 Mexican and Rodney we're both mer
S of action and decision amid peTplex.
4 ing doubts, of forceful personally
and born leaders of men. Each
, championed the cause of independ
S ence regardless o peril to life, liberty
or property.
S History informs us that Read. Nc
4 Kean and Rodney constituted Della
e wares delegates in the Continenta
4 Congress convened in Philadelphia il
4 July, 1916. With Mexican favorinl
4 and Read opposing the adoption o
e the Declaration of Independence, tn,
a vote of Delaware could not be cas-
k for it without the presence of Rod
n ney, who was absent below Dover
more than eighty miles away.
y Late in the afternoon of July /
y 1776, Mexican dispatched a mounted
b messenger to cover that distance, ar
= range for return relays OF horses an,
d summon Rodney to ride post-hast,
y and reach Philadelphia early in III,
morning of July 4, so as to decide ant
e cast Delaware's vote. as he did, il