America First Part 5

SECRETARY THOMSON. South Carolina!

EDWARD RUTLEDGE. Mr. President and Gentlemen:--When Richard Henry Lee's resolution declaring for independence was first introduced I was opposed to its adoption _at that time_. I feared that the people of my colony were not then ready for it. I thought also that for the general welfare of all the colonies it was then too early to declare for independence.

The contest in South Carolina for independence has been as bitter among her own people as it has been in any of the other colonies. But opinions alter and conditions change with the pa.s.sing of time. Therefore, South Carolina now has a solid delegation here ready to walk through the fiery furnace of war, though it be seventy times heated, to make this Declaration good. South Carolina votes _aye_.

(_Shouts of "Three cheers for South Carolina and Edward Rutledge!"_)

SECRETARY THOMSON. Georgia!

LYMAN HALL. Mr. President and Gentlemen:--Georgia is here with three delegates who stand as one man for independence. Though last on the roll of states on this question she will be among the first in her efforts for American independence. Georgia votes _aye_.

(_Shouts of "Three cheers for Georgia!"_)

PRESIDENT HANc.o.c.k. Gentlemen of the Continental Congress:--Twelve of the thirteen colonies having voted for the Declaration of Independence, and with no colony going on record against it, I consider our action unanimous for I am confident that the New York a.s.sembly[18] will give her delegation instructions to sign this doc.u.ment in the near future.

JOHN ADAMS. Mr. President, I move that this Congress do now adjourn.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN. Mr. President, I second the motion.

PRESIDENT HANc.o.c.k. Gentlemen of the Continental Congress, it has been moved by Mr. Adams of Ma.s.sachusetts and seconded by Mr. Franklin of Pennsylvania that we do now adjourn. As many as favor this motion make known by saying _aye_.

(_Unanimous response of ayes._)

The motion to adjourn has been carried unanimously and this Congress is therefore adjourned.

SCENE II.--_The Spirit of 76._

Here repeat the Tableau of the Spirit of Seventy-six.

ACT IV.

SCENE I.--_Washington's Resignation. (A special session of the Continental Congress to receive the Resignation of Washington.)_

PRESIDENT HANc.o.c.k. Gentlemen of the Continental Congress:--Eight years ago we made General George Washington Commander-in-Chief of the armies raised and to be raised for American Independence. Through seven long years of war, against overwhelming odds, in which brave men did brave deeds, the rich man gave his wealth and the poor man gave his life, baptizing their country's soil with their own blood from Bunker Hill to Yorktown, the brave soldiers under General Washington fought on until an army of veteran soldiers surrendered to a band of insurgent husbandmen.

The American nation has been born. Its independence has been recognized by Great Britain and the civilized world. Peace has come! And General Washington desires to surrender his commission to the Congress that elected him to this position. He is in waiting to do this. I therefore appoint John Adams of Ma.s.sachusetts, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, Roger Sherman of Connecticut, Samuel Chase of Maryland, Patrick Henry of Virginia, Edward Rutledge of South Carolina, and Lyman Hall of Georgia, as an honorary committee to escort General Washington before this Congress, to receive his resignation.

(_General Washington is escorted before Congress and makes the following address:_)

_Mr. President:_--The great events on which my resignation depended, having at length taken place, I have now the honor of offering my sincere congratulations to Congress, and of presenting myself before them to surrender into their hands the trust committed to me, and to claim the indulgence of retiring from the service of my country.

Happy in the confirmation of our independence and sovereignty, and pleased with the opportunity afforded the United States of becoming a respectable nation, I resign, with satisfaction, the appointment I accepted with diffidence; a diffidence in my abilities to accomplish so arduous a task, which, however, was superseded by a confidence in the rect.i.tude of our cause, the support of the Supreme Power of the Union, and the patronage of Heaven.

The successful termination of the war has verified the most sanguine expectations; and my grat.i.tude for the interposition of Providence, and the a.s.sistance I have received from my countrymen, increases with every review of the momentous contest.

While I repeat my obligations to the army in general, I should do injustice to my own feelings, not to acknowledge, in this place, the peculiar services and distinguished merits of the persons who have been attached to my person during the war. It was impossible the choice of confidential officers to compose my family could have been more fortunate. Permit me sir, to recommend in particular those who have continued in the service to the present moment as worthy of the favorable notice and patronage of Congress.

I consider it as an indispensable duty to close this last solemn act of my official life, by commending the interests of our dearest country to the protection of Almighty G.o.d, and those who have the superintendence of them to his holy keeping.

Having now finished the work a.s.signed me, I retire from the great theater of action; and, bidding an affectionate farewell to this august body, under whose orders I have long acted, I here offer my commission, and take my leave of all the employments of public life.

(_The Continental Congress, standing and shouting in concert, "Long live General George Washington! First in war! First in peace! And First in the hearts of his countrymen!"_)

CURTAIN

Footnotes:

[1] In small schools where there are not enough large boys to represent all the characters, those who represent members of the Continental Congress can become members of Washington's army, etc., for the other scenes.

[2] This speech is adapted from Paine's "Separation of Britain and America."

[3] Adapted from Wirt's supposed speech of Lee.

[4] This dialogue between Adams and Jefferson is taken from Adams's letter to Timothy Pickering.

[5] If this is properly staged it will be very effective. National Guard members will be glad to take part as members of Washington's army, with their tents and uniforms and arms, if there are no school cadets to play this part. The bugler sounds the call to arms. The soldiers fall into line ready for the fight. Just before marching orders are given, Washington delivers the following address, after which the curtain goes down on this scene and the sound of battle is heard in the distance.

[6] This is a part of Webster's "Supposed Speech of John Adams."

[7] John Hanc.o.c.k.

[8] Samuel Adams.

[9] From Webster's "Supposed Speech of Opposition to Independence."

[10] From Webster's "Supposed Speech of John Adams."

[11] From Webster's "Supposed Speech of Opposition to Independence."

[12] From Webster's "Supposed Speech of John Adams."

[13] Adapted from the "Corner Stone" speech of Alexander H. Stephens, and arranged by William R. Hood, Bureau of Education, Washington, D. C.

[14] From Wirt's "Supposed Speech of Patrick Henry."

[15] Robert Morris later signed the Declaration of Independence and through his influence the American Revolution was financed. This speech is adapted from Sumner's "True Grandeur of Nations" and other sources.

[16] From Wirt's "Supposed Speech of Patrick Henry."

[17] A monument was recently erected at Dover in his honor.

[18] On July 9, 1776, New York instructed her delegates to sign.