Smyrna times., 1924-04-23
DELAWARE AND ITS MEMORABLE
PART IN THE CONSTITUTION
PATRIOTIC AND STATESMAN
LIKE ABILITY SAVED THE DAY
The Efforts of George H. Paine of
Philadelphia, to Placard Smyrna and
Other DOwn-State Towns

Otner OOWn-State Towns
Through the efforts of George H. |
Payne, of Philadelphia, to have the
people of this State and the country
to appreciate more fully the funda-
mentals of our government and the
constitution under which we live,
Smyrna, as well as other towns have
been visited and placards and litera-
ture bearing on the subject have been
placed for distribution free at a num-
Der of our stores and business places.
There is only one proviso and that is
after you read them pass them on to
some friend. Julius Zieget, C. E.,
LIB, member of the Maryland Bar
Association, writes the following on
Delaware and the Constitution which
we clip from the Wilmington Every
Evening. Mr.. Zieget says:
Delaware Patriots Saved the Day
''Had it not been for the patriotic
and statesmanlike ability of the sons
of Delaware, the Constitution of the
United States would not be the real
ity it is today. More, it is doubtful if
July 4th could be celebrated as a ma
tional holiday were it not for the hero
ism displayed by a son of Delaware,
for demonstration of the will to con-
quer, physical suffering of the most
excruciating kind for the sake of his
country. We have all heard of the
| famous midnight ride of Paul Revere.
The story has been so dramatically
| told that we can follow him in imagi-
nation urging his steed on and on and
arOusing the countryside with his cry,
The British are coming! We can see
the embattled farmers leaving their
homes and gathering on the commons
at Lexington, preparing to fire the
shot heard around the world. This is
the fruit of the efforts of one patriot,
Paul Revere. The people of Massa-
chusetts and the people of America
are proud of his patriotic deed. His
name is inscribed among the immor-
tails.
"Has Delaware a son who in this
historic time can claim an equal place
! III ulbLOIY Leu uo Sec n gCcA4 GliANA
three months have passed since Paul
Revere's ride. The conflict has thick
ened and more blood has been shed.
Many of the Colonies are urging that
these United Colonies are and of right
ought to be free and Independent
States; that a Declaration of Indepen-
dence ought to proclaim to the world
that the American people are sOver-
eign of their own fate. But there is
hesitation and doubt among many OF
the Colonists. Reconciliation with
England is the way out such Colon
lists are saying. Time is not propiti-
Gus to engage in strife with another
country. We shall all hang if we at
tempt revolutionary measures. He
who signs the proposed Declaration Of
independence does so with the halter
about his neck.
Caesar ROdney's Famous Ride
delaware is represented at a gath
ering of patriots in independence Hal
in early July, 1776, by Thomas Nc
Kean, George Read and Caesar Rod
ney. Read, although a fearless ant
able man, was at first openly opposed
to the adoption of the Declaration
He insists that the time has not com'
for such action. Mexican is for "stOl
talking and act" 1t looks as though
his efforts will be parried by Read TO
Rodney is mortally sick in bed. /
only Rodney could come to the Con
vention, for he will sign the Declara
tion of independence. But Indepen
|. dence Hall is eighty miles away. Rod
ney lay stricken with a fatal malad
and wild storm makes the possibilit
: of his being at the Convention seer
: humanity impossible. But "stop talk
! ing and act" Mexican, knowing tn
: stuff out of which Rodney is made
sends a secret messenger to the al
flicted man telling him Of the split
the Delaware unit. Rodney arise
o from what is considered his deathbe
: and mounting his horse, although su
, fering with fever, he rides throug
the mud and rain, squirting his hOr'
- on until, just as the name of Delawal
e is being called in the Hall Of COngre
he arrives in time to exclaim, 81 vO
r Yes" and then sinks exhausted. A
& Delaware delegates sign.
''The ride of Paul Revere of twen
miles has a rightful place in histor
But what Of the ride Of that bra
son of Delaware who made the CC
onies a unit for independence and t
~ Declaration of independence the vol
Of the people? 1t is a noble thing
: inform the people that the oppress
is coming. But what shall be said
\ him who risks his life to "pledge
each other our lives, our fortunes a
our sacred honor" to do the actual ]
sisting?
Constitution Wonderful Piece of Wa
"The Constitution, we all know,