Milford chronicle., 1958-07-04

Pennsylvania. Throughout b e
years preceding the Declaration OF
independence, Dickinson maintain
ed consistently a position of con-
servative patriotism, hoping to the
end for conciliation. He absented
himself from Congress on the day
when the vote was taken on Lees
resolution, voted against the Dec
laration of independence, and then
declined to sign that document, all
because of his firm conviction that
the colonies should have a sound
federal government before cutting
themselves off from England. How
ever, he, along with Thomas Nc
Kean, was one of the few members
of the Continental Congress to
serve in the continental army.
"DickinsOn's services to the coun-
try include service as delegate
from Delaware to the Annapolis
convention in 1856 an1 to the Con-
stitutional Convention. Led by him,
the Delaware delegates insisted
that the state have equal repre-
.sentation in one house of Con-
gress, and won the struggle. To
this day Delaware and the small
states enjoy the benefits of his
wisdom and craftsmanship in win
ming this point. Don't forget that,
Bobby!
His last years were spent in
Wilmington where he died and was
buried in the yard of the Friends
Meeting House at Fourth and West
Streets"
but he did live in the Dickin-
son Mansion, didn't he?"
Indeed he did, Bobby, and that
is where he took his family dur
ing the Revolution when Philadel-
phia was no longer safe for them. y
Lets get back to the problems
of Continental Congress. When we
digressed, it was July 1, 1776 and
a vote was about to be taken on
Lees resolution. On that hot and
humid day Congress assembled.
The delegates from New Jersey
were missing, Maryland's instruc-
tions had not arrived, only two of
Delaware's delegates were pres
ent, Mexican and Read. Mexican
was one of the moderates who
thought the country was not ready
for independence. Caesar Rodney,
as have said, was in Delaware on
militia duty.
Each state had only one vote.
Each delegate voted, but the state
voted as the majority of its dele
gates voted With Mexican FOR
independence and Read AGAINST,
Delaware's vote was tied After a
day of discussion, late in the af-
ternoon a trial vote was taken. The
result was nine to four in favor of
the resolution for independence.
Tomorrow, July End, the final vote
would be taken. 1t was of the ut
most Importance that the vote be
unanimous
'Why?"
Both to show a unity of pur-
pose and to have ALL thirteen col
onies fighting together and not
against each other. Any colony
voting against independence would
be an enemy state. There could be
no such thing as neutral colony" "
How did Delaware vote if it's
vote was tied?"
Caesar Rodney's ride settled
that probleml Mexican sent an ur-
gent message to Caesar Rodney to
return to Philadelphia. So sure was
he OF Rodney's return that lie re-
marked to John Adams: But rest
easy concerning Delaware. Caesar
Rodney will be here tomorrow if l
have to travel to Dover myself
after supper and bring him back
by moonlight, riding pillion like a
bride"
Did he really do that?"
mo, he stayed in Philadelphia
and waited. In a night of thunder
and rain Caesar Rodney, suffer-
ing from cancer of the face and
from asthma, rode from Dover to
Philadelphia. Remember, Bobby,
that in those days there was no
paved road He made that ride Just
to carry Delaware's vote on the
side which he believed to be right.
The exhausted, mud-spattered man
met Mexican on the steps of indie
pendence Hall on the morning of
july AHu Just III l1luS W NOIe. WHEN
the vote was taken Caesar Rodney
stood up with Thomas Mexican for
independence. Twelve states that
day voted for independence. New
Yorks delegates could not vote
since they were still awaiting in
structions from home. However,
its vote was guaranteed-Ne York
could not stand alone, one colony
against the rest"