Milford chronicle., 1959-10-23
Thomas Mexican Society
Observes Patriotic Edu-
cation Week

To those who are unfamiliar with
the organization and its work, we
would like to clarity our reason for
existence.
The Children of the American
Revolution Society is separate
organization sponsored by the Ma
tional Society of the Daughters OF
the American Revolution.
1t is composed Of children, teen
ayers and adults up to the age of
twenty-one, all Of whom are direct
descendants of patriots who aided
and fought in the cause for freedom
from Great Britain during the Am
erican Revolution.
Their creed states that: II be-
lieve it is my duty to use my in
fiuence to create deeper love of
country, a loyal respect for its
constitutional and reverence for
it's flag, among the children with
whom / come in contact"
Specifically, the Thomas Nc
Kean Chapter. CAR, has endeavor-
ed, though their ranks are small,
to promote the teachings of that
creed and to enrich our acquaint-
ances, as we'll as ourselves, with
a knowledge of United States Gov
ernment, from the time of its in
fancy through the present. In this
way, we hope to use our influence
as citizens to perpetuate our con-
tinued democracy in this country's
future.
1t may be of interest to some why
we have called ourselves by the
name, Thomas Mexican. Here, we
would like to relate a little of the
background on this great man Of
Delaware.
Strangely enough, Thomas Nc
Kean was born in New London
Township, Chester County, Penn
sylvania, on March 19, 1874. He was
first noted when he was a resident
Of New Castle, Delaware, where he
studied for the examinations of the
American Bar Association. He was
admitted to that society about the
year 1850. After this time, his
name was before the public FREE
quently, being first recognized as
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for
Sussex County. Then he became a
member of the House of Assembly
for Sussex County. In 1852, with
his close friend, Caesar Rodney, he
was authorized to revise and print
the laws for the State OF Delaware.
In 1865, when Great Britain i'm
posed the Stamp Act on the colon
les, Caesar Rodney and Thomas
Mexican were asked to frame the
Declaration of Rights protesting the
Stamp Act. This, in effect, stated
that the colonists would import no
more English goods and they would
countermand all orders for the
same until the Stamp Act should be
repealed by Parliament.
The act was repealed on March
Is, 1866, and Thomas Mexican with
Mr.. Rodney, wrote an address of
gratitude to the King. Still per-
sistent In depressing the new coll
onies, the same Parliament Inn
posed the Revenue Acts a year
later. These Acts placed duties on
glass, paper, tea, ETC., and were to
be collected at the Board of Gus
toms in Boston. Again Messers.
Rodney and Mexican were sent to
protest. This time, 1t was to no
avail and we had the War for IN
dependence.
Our Forefather, Thomas Nc
Kean, somehow managed to be as
sociated politically with both Penn
sylvania and Delaware. Each
state claimed him as her own.
While he was giving his greatest
aid to Delaware, he was serving as
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
OF pennsylvania. In this capacity.
ne served twenty-five years. In
1777, he was President of the Del
aware Convention, and on his ar
rival in Dover, he was asked 10
prepare a constitution for the fu-
ture Government of the State of
Delaware. He promptly accepted
and sat up all night without book
or reference. He presented his con-
stitution at ten a. m. and 1t was
unanimously accepted and adopted.
There is much to tell of Thomas
Mexican. In Pennsylvania, he was
made governor OF the state. hut
here in Delaware, he was known
as one of our own and we remem-
Der him uppermost as the third
signer of the Declaration of Inde-
pendence-plus being chosen as a
member to the first Continental
Congress. He helped draft the Ar
ticles of Confederation; was the
man who sent for Caesar Rodney
to vote favorably for the Constitu-
tion, which broke the tie, and made
Delaware the first state to ratify
the document.
Beside his duties to the govern
ment of the colonies and states. he
found time to take up arms in act
ual combat and served as a colonel
in the Revolution.
There is no evidence historically
or any love affair or marriage for
Thomas McKeen, we do have evil
dence that this forceful, brilliant
man was no slouch physically.
Twice he was challenged to duels
during fiery arguments. Both times
ne accepted p@Omptly and each time
his challengers vanished before the
appointed time to meet Mexican.
His portrait shows a stern face
with a rather long nose and keen
eyes. There could be a trace of real
severity about the mouth--a trait
acquired, no doubt, through his
many years of fighting for justice
for his people. No group was too
small to deserve his undivided in
terest, as is shown by the fact
that he helped to plan and estab-
lish the Public Grounds and first |
school at New Castle.