How degraded our political class has become stands out in stark relief when compared to this brave and principled man, Caesar Rodney
"No portrait of Caesar Rodney exists. We know that he was tormented throughout his life by asthma, and that his adult years were plagued by a facial cancer. He experienced expensive, painful and futile medical treatments on the cancer.
The apex of Caesar Rodney's service to his state occurred in the spring of 1776... He, along with Thomas McKean and George Read, were the three Delaware delegates to the Continental Congress. The explosive issue of actual independence was the question of the hour.
The discussion of the Resolution occupied several contentious weeks. Unanimous agreement eluded its supporters, and a recess was declared. On June 15, 1776 the Delaware Assembly released their three divided delegates to vote their individual judgment in Philadelphia. The Congress reconvened on July 1, 1776.
However Caesar Rodney was in Delaware dealing with militia creation and Tory problems. The Delaware vote on independence was deadlocked with McKean 'for' and Read 'against'. A dramatic story began to unfold. McKean sent a courier to Caesar Rodney advising him of the deadlock and Caesar Rodney immediately left for Philadelphia, either on horseback...or by carriage. Riding all night in a torrential rainstorm, he arrived at Independence Hall on July 2, 1776 muddy, wet and fatigued but 'booted and spurred', and also seriously ill.The eighty mile trip had consumed eighteen hours, and much of his vitality. He was strong enough to break the Delaware tie and vote for independence, adding Delaware to the successful vote that day, and the eventual unanimous vote later in July.
Rodney was elected President of Delaware in 1778 for a three year term, and served an additional seven months.The ratification of the articles of Confederation consumed him for over a year marked by real contention within the Delaware Assembly. As peace approached, Rodney's frail constitution was played out. He was again appointed to the Continental Congress and the Delaware Assembly, but never served. He had reached the end of his strength and had probably bankrupted himself in service to the state. It is the ultimate irony that Caesar Rodney was to die less than one year from the signing on september 3, 1783, of the Treaty of Paris, ending the Revolution war".
And today's Lilliputians sell their souls for a committee assignment and thirty pieces of silver.
Fascinating story about a man I knew nothing about.