|
By
J.D. Williams
By June, 1776 the Second Continental Congress
had wasted nearly a full year in stalemate over a decision
to declare independence from England.
In January of that year, Thomas Paine had given the drive
for independence a sense of urgency with the publication of
Common Sense. Paine lashed out at the indifference that seemed
to grip the Congress and much of population in the American
colonies. He stated flatly that it made no sense to be governed
by an island some 3,000 miles away, and that hereditary monarchies
were a failure since heredity "has so often given us an ass
for a lion."
On June 7, 1776 the stalemate ended, and thirty-three year
old Thomas Jefferson of Virginia was drafted to commit to
writing the reasons the colonies should permanently break
from the Crown of England.
However, one of the prime stumbling blocks to declaring
independence remained in place. Early on Congress had decided
that any vote for independence had to be passed unanimously
by all of the participating delegations from the individual
colonies. One dissenting colony would prove sufficient to
delay, and even deny, independence.
When it became clear that New York would abstain from voting,
but not formally oppose the bid for independence, all eyes
turned to the three person delegation from tiny Delaware.
The two members present were split, 1-to-1, on the vote for
independence. The delegation's third member, Caesar Rodney,
had returned home as he battled the final stages of cancer,
and was not expected to participate.
But learning that the vote for independence was on the line,
Rodney left his sick bed in Delaware, ignored a driving rain
storm, and rode through the night to Philadelphia. Desperately
ill and weather beaten, he walked into the meeting hall and
voted in favor of Jefferson's revised draft of the Declaration
of Independence.
The Delaware tie vote was broken. With New York's abstention
set aside, the colonial delegations had voted unanimously
to endorse the principle that ". . .these colonies are, and
of a right ought to be, free and independent states."
While the pages of history appropriately note the powerful
contributions of figures like Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin,
John Adams and Thomas Paine to the cause of independence,
too often overlooked is the singular action of one man who
set aside any thoughts of self to make a difference.
Caesar Rodney ultimately shaped history, and a nation.
About J.D. Williams
VoteUtah turned to retired University of Utah political science
professor J.D. Williams to help us understand how one person
can take a stand, charge to action, and even change the system.
Williams, a deeply committed teacher with a lifelong passion
for the U.S. Constitution, touched thousands of lives during
nearly four decades at the University. His students would
graduate to positions of civic and political leadership throughout
the state and the nation. He was one of the founding figures
of the Hinckley Institute of Politics at the "U", and his
passionate love of country would inspire students of all political
stripes. While never personally successful in an election,
Williams has had a profound impact on government by touching
young lives. He has made a difference through his dedication.
In a series of short essays throughout this year's political
season, J.D. Williams will remind us of special men and women
who have made a difference. Some of the actions were so profound
that they shaped our nation. Others take the form of personal
commitments that can lead to a fuller sense of self.
Through each story we will find the reminder that one person
can make a difference.
|
