Make your voice count.

   We have a very important election coming up soon.  I have heard it often said that people don't think their vote is important.  Herein I should like to relate the story of one vote that made an impact on the history of the world.  
   It occured in the summer of 1776 when the thirteen original colonies of America were convening in Philadelphia to vote on a resolution to proclaim themselve independent of Gtreat Britain.  The colonies had sent delegations of varying sizes to represent them, but each had only one vote, determined by the majority within the delegation.  It had been decided that no mere majority but a unanimous vote of agreement was imperative to convince Great Britain.
   Delaware had three representatives...Thomas McKean, George Read and Caesar Rodney.  McKean was for, Read against, and Rodney, the deciding vote was 80 miles away in an effort to squelch a Loyalist uprising that threatened his home territory of Dover.   
   Sensing the urgency of the next day's voting, McKean scribbled a note to Rodney... hunted up an express rider and told him to speed it to Dover.  He paid the messenger with his own purse..  Within ten minutes after recieving McKean's message, Rodney left Dover astride a swift horse, in a blinding thunderstorm.  He rode through the night supplied by fresh horses along the way.
   On Tuesday, July 2, 1776 the poll of the thirteen colonies was to begin.  Eleven of the colonies were in favor.  New York abstained from voting.
   As the proceedings were about to begin, through the open window there came the sound of horse's hoofs on rough cobblestones.  Galloping up Chestnut Street, with his three-cornered hat awry, came Caesar Rodney.
Mud splattered and bedraggled, he reigned his horse and slid from the saddle.  Still shod in boots and spurs he was greeted by McKean.  The two walked arm in arm into the Assembly chamber and were almost the last to be seated as President Hancock called the session to order at once.
   When Delaware was called, Caesar Rodney pulled himself to his feet.  He said, "As I believe the voice of my constituants and all sensible and honest men is in favor of Indepenence and my own judgement concurs, I vote for Independence."  Totally exhausted... he sank to his seat.
   The twelve participating colonies had voted unanimously for freedom.