Milford chronicle., 1942-02-06
CONTINUED rron Yir.. pars,

A fine program is being arranged
and the forty-third birthday party
of the club will follow the annua
delightful affair in careful plan
ming and enjoyment. Members are
requested to get their tickets as
soon as possible. Out of town
guests are being extended invita-
tions by the members.
Just one hundred and sixty-five
years ago the liberty loving people oi
this North American continent
through their qualified representatives
dared to oppose the forces of tyranny
that had been depressing them for
many years previous That greatest
of all documents since the Magma
Carta, was adopted and signed by the
delegates of the people. Caesar Rod
ney, Thomas Mexican and George Read
were the delegates from the State OF
Delaware in the Assemblage.
In the War for Independence which
followed this action, George Washing
ton was elected Commander-in-C Chief
of the Colonial troops. The country
was only partially united. An army OF
less than five thousand men was form
ed. Many times during the early part
of the war, the fate of the American
cause hung in balance. 1t was during
one of these periods that Washington S
Army camped on the rolling hills at
Valley Forge through the winter OF
1777-177S. Although they We're ill-clad
and under-nourished. they firmly re-
solved to see the thing through. After
five and one-half years of struggle,
victory was theirs. Freedom triumph
ed over tyranny because its followers
had faith in God. confidence in their
ware played its full part in this strug-
gle. Such names as Rodney. Ander-
son. Haslet. Patterson, Hall and many
others stand out as prominent through
out the war. Her quota of enlisted
men was more than doubled. II was
also during the battle at Cooch' 5
Bridge i'm northern Delaware that
the stars and stripes were first un-
furled in battle as the flag OF our
nation.
In the peace which followed the del
egates to the Continental Congress
from the State of Delaware made sub
stantial contributions. the number and
nature of which | shall not ask you
to dwell upon. However, it is only
just for me to recall to your mind
that after the adoption Of the Con-
stitution, Delaware was the first OF
the thirteen colonies to ratify that
document thus giving her rlghttul
claim to being the first state in the
Union.
just one hundred and thirty years
ago Americas freedom was again I'M
periled when the flow of her ocean
borne commerce was restricted by
blockade and seizure OF her seamen.
After war was declared the Americans
lost the first three engagements ana
again the cause of liberty hung In
later on in which two Delawareans;
namely. John Jacob Jones and Com,
nodore Thomas McDonough played
prominent parts brought us victory,
Again the people of Ameficn had laltn
in God confidence in their leaders and
the will to sacrifice. United states
senator James \. Bayard of Della
ware was a member of the American
Commission that negotiated the Treaty
of Peace.
Ninety-six years ago the liberty low
ing people of Texas threw oil the
tyrannical rule of the Empire of
Mexico and pied for annexation to the
United States of, America, Her plea
was granted and the resulting wal
with Mexico was declared in May
fifteen months later that the Ameri-
cans won their first victory. Once
again faith in God, confidence in theil
leadership and the will to sacrifice ell
abled freedom to triumph. L,euLen-
ants Rogers and Chambers, both Del-
aware sons were among the first seven
men to storm the fortress OF Chapulte-
pee in Mexico City.
Eighty years ago Abraham. LINCOLN
issue the call to arms that clectriiled
our citizenry from the Atlantic to the
Pacific, and from the headwaters. OF
the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico.
Within forty-eight hours after thaI
call one hundred and fifty thousand
staiwart sons OF this fair land OF ours
marched through the city OF Baltl-
more ON their way to Washlnston;
bearing aloft the old star spangled
banner we love so we'll The freedom
of our citizens was again at stake.
In the early part of the war, the
cause seemed to he lost: During thS
four year struggle. enlistments and
the operation of the draft act placcu
more than four million men under
arms. The first shot was fired at kort
Sumter in 1861 and the last at i'al-
nito, Texas, in 1865. All in all, there
were 2.400 engagements. Whcn peace
was finally declared. more than SIX
mildred thousand iien were left lying
or the field of battle. Many dark days
and months had been endured by our
citizens. Again faith in Cod c0hIl-
dtnce in our leaders, and the VIII 10
sacrifice, brought victory. DeiaMaI'e
furnished seven fully equipped regl-
ments. Commodore Samuel +. dulont
was cited for brilliant naval success.
Forty-three years ago president
Mckinley was authorized ny Congress
to use the military and naval lorcrs 5
oil the l4nIleQ olultS
oppressed Cubans and in ayenging the
sinking of the Battleship Maine. Many
within hearing of my voice VIII re-
member the thrill of Admiral Dewey
victory and the strategy OF captain
Hobson. Seven major engagements
took place and three thousand -Nmerl-
cans paid the price of death. but new
and freG nation took her place in the
world. Faith in God. confidence IN her
leaders again assured freedom lor iI OUT
loyal sacrificing citizens. Delaware
National Guard regiment OF more than
one thousand men was callcu iieO
active service. ..- ...
Not more than twenty-five years ago
or within the memory Of many OF US
President Woodrow Wilson under au-
thority. from Congress led our nat,on tI3, l.i,
into the most stupendous military
struggle the world had ever witnessed.
Our right to live as free men was was
again imperled. Within the next
eighteen months over -four miillon
american men were i'm the oiilctal
million more were placed at disposal.
Nineteen billion dollars were subscrln-
I'd in Liberty Bonds and War SAVINGS
Stamps for the successful prosecution
of the war. Although ii was almost
a year later before our troops par
ticipatcd in the fighting on the heids
of France. they took part in more tni.Il
twenty ma jor engagements. When tne
Armistice was signed in NoVemper,
1918, over a quarter million oil our
hoys were listed among the dead,
wounded and missing. Faith in God;
confidence i'm her leaders and the VIII
to sacrifice again assured America her
right to exist as nation OF Tree
men. Delaware contributed one hum
dred million dollars in Liberty Bonds
and had ten thousand men IN various
branches of the service. Leroy Jones
and Thomas AmOry were decorated
for bravery.
From a study of these records we
can CLEAN the facts that our nation rs
always ready to fight oppression and
slavery: that by applying her time
worn formula of faith i'm God cconil-
dence in her headers and Will TO
sacrifice, she has always been trium-
phant:. that in all cases. hut one: at
least a year elapsed before she achieV-
ed any decisive victories.
Less than two months ago our Tree
dom was again challenged ny a direct
and treacherous attack on our soil
;@ pfc IN