In congress
JutY i. 177^
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Can you match Caesar Rodney, who dashed eighty miles by horse.
To cast his "Aye” for liberty and end of rule by force?
Can you face Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, or the rest.
Who buried bitter rivalries when freedom faced a test?
Can you meet Franklin, Sherman, Paine, defenders of the right.
Who asked for death in preference to unmitigated might?
Can you snub Livingston, or Wythe, or Read (who changed his mind
When fifty-five had voted "Aye”, withdrew his "Nay”, and signed?)
What will you say to Witherspoon, to Hopkinson, or Hall?
Who held These Truths Self-Evident, for benefit of all?
Can you explain to Gwinnett, Chase, or Hooper, Howes or Penn,
Pursuit of Happiness was lost through bickerings of men?
Will you tell Paca, Walton, Stone, we don’t know what they meant,
When they decreed /ust-government got power by consent?
Can you do less than Rutledge, Heyward, Lynch, or Clark, or Hart.
Who pledged their lives and fortunes to give Liberty her start?
Would you dare tell a Middleton, a Bartlett. Whipple. Floyd,
That all their views on Equal Rights are now found null and void?
To Thornton. Gerry, Hopkins, Williams; Wolcott, Morris, Smith,
Can you say Nature’s God and Laws of Nature are a myth?
What of Lewis, Stockton. Ellery; of Morton, Clymer, Rush,\
Can you tell them their voices have been throttled to a hush\
To Braxton. Nelson, Harrison; to Pennsylvania’s Ross. ^
Can you confess their efforts must be crossed off as a loss?
How about McKean and Taylor: Hancock. Wilson. Carroll, Lee.
Will you. their heirs, admit you’ve no desire to be free?
They didn’t quit, those fifty-six, in Sacred Honor bound.
And foes of Liberty, beware! Their sons are just as sound!
Though we debate each issue with a rivalry intense.
Were one when it’s a matter of our national.defense.—L.S.S.
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