Smyrna times., 1923-07-11
CAESAR RODNEY STATUE IS
UNVEILED At WILMINGTON
on,roRS LAUD PATRIOT AND
UIC UI FAMOUS RIDE AT CEREMONY
n. wilmington Crowd See Handsome
De S.on7e Statue Given to the City
and Accepted by the Mayor


Dlg S.on1e Statue Given to the City
and Accepted by the Mayor
NJ. nresentation to the city of Will
ACTON .ot and unveiling of the eques-
lluo i.e statue of Caesar Rodney, who
Iablsd IN Delaware to cast its vote for
Ir~ In,srican independence, July 4, 1776,
L;.b ~. took place Wednesday after
"onr ",,T' Julv 4, 1923, marked an epoch
II the history of State and nation. 1t
Il IA another thing-it enabled the peO-
uia u of Delaware to celebrate the an
S;verearv r. of this notable event in a
s++;no manner; to demonstrate their
nstriotisn, and to pay tribute too
r. +be States most distinguished
CONS The statue erected on Rodney
Smare. named in honor of the hero
whose memory is thus revered, occu-
nips commanding position. While it
ras impossible for many in the thous-
onds present to hear all that was said,
al could see and appreciate the sig
nifeance of the occasion. 1t was the
outstanding feature of Delaware's
celebration of independence Day. The
memory of the patriot Rodney was
Landed BY the prominent men who
smoke at the unveiling, and their
words seemed to be echoed by the
great crowd in attendance. The event
will 20 down in history as milestone
marking the progress of the Diamond
State in its efforts to bark back and
give credit to its sons who have made
sacrifices and performed heroic deeds
that the nation shall live and liberty
and independence shall be preserved
Conditions Ideal During Ceremony
1t was an ideal day for an ideal
ceremony. The exercises though sim
pie, comprised a worthy pendant to
that attending the opening of Wash
ington Bridge, at the time it was ded-
ieated, and showed that Wilmington
is making progress in pageants. The
motive attracting the thousands who
looked on from the borders Of Rodney
Square were moved by a similar spirit
70 that which made the civic festivals
Of Greece and Rome, occasions of ar
tistic significance as well as occasions
Of both religious and patriotic signifi-
canoe. Promptly on the hour set, 2.30
o'clock, the 200 white clad girls of the
Liberty chorus began to defile on the
AVN, each bearing a flag and follow
cd by the color guard of 20 Boy
Scouts, who carried, in addition to
the United States flag, those of
Sweden, Holland, England, France,
Italy Greece and other picturesque
ganfalOns These paraded to a posi-
non Apostle the stand and drew up in
line to greet Columbia" personated
by Mrs. Lawrence J. Jones, Liberty
and Freedom" Misses Alice Frysing-
ef and Mary Brown, who expressed,
N the steps Of a classic dance, the
splrt Of the occasion, to the music of
leader Norris W. Robinson's band, af-
!ef the chorus had repeated the "Sa-
luIe to the Flag" Meanwhile the
cl0Wd was gathering on the platform
Saere hye hundred seats were provid-
e. under the shadow of the statue
Ael' and on the lower level. "At-
sauon rang out the command from
Dnganer General James H. Wilson
Ss CHAIRMAN Of the day, at promptly
oelock, and heads were barred and
O'Ned While Rev. Charles w. Clash
Pronounced the invocation. After the
-DefIy Chorus and the crowd had
c--s america" directed by T. Leslie
SApsn'el, General Wilson, chairman
ne Rodney Statue Association
5a- "Gs 'ae Presentation speech, after
E. Kelly. '--e ''U'p'oi' 'dines
unveiled by Little Eliza Rodney
of Ii.sle I.g Miss Eliza Rodney, daughter
otTge S.uge and Mrs. Richard S. Rodney
t-io. -''" castle, deeendent of the pa
49, l.,,, lnen drew the cord that re-
49, 49, 'ne cloth covering the statue
d..s. os emergence was greeted by
froro lS . rom the assembly, a fanfare
Bora. 'ne band, and honks from the
os.us. os,rs Ol assembled automobiles. Ar
Srsass1et. 5csseaee not on the program was the
! iII,'a'ion siIros to little Miss Rodney Of
5s5a,s snsef souvenir Of the occasion. or
stv '1 ~ u tne $50 children of the Lib
E kent Cnofus .1 and Scouts, which She
is'. ~ Itasped in her hand during the
ssmsia. 4. me afternoon, as long as she
asnea aSa on the scene. Acceptance
Fo.s..s - statue by Mayor George w. K
snbod,,;" was covered by a brief speech
as ing st.g appropriate sentiments,
By H. 'a'lllS Of Hail, Wilmingtonv' LED
s5 - /. composer and sung bv crowC
h s5Ju, 5,olls, rang out, and the master.
a5 r.s's ~a BY Senator Thomas F. Raw.
ns,E.11. "fS begun, and delivered IN re-.
deaoT distinct tones and forcefn
d emil, OI,.i reaching those gathered .,
srryins ri'orl9 urn, with full meaning, anC
auTj as IVY well into the fringe Of tn,