Life, 1924-01-03 · page 35 of 36
Life — January 3, 1924 — page 35: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page celebrates Caesar Rodney (1728-1784), a Delaware signer of the Declaration of Independence, via a Prudential Insurance advertisement. The cartoon depicts Rodney arriving at the Continental Congress on July 1st, 1776. The text claims he rode 80+ miles through a storm to cast Delaware's deciding vote for independence—a dramatic counter to Paul Revere's famous midnight ride. Rodney was reportedly ill but rode anyway to prevent Delaware's delegation from blocking the Declaration. The satire contrasts Rodney's unknown sacrifice against Revere's celebrated status ("Every school boy knows Paul Revere's ride"). The advertisement equates insurance with "economic freedom," paralleling political independence—suggesting financial security enables personal liberty. The historical accuracy of Rodney's dramatic ride is debated by modern historians, but the advertisement uses it to promote insurance as patriotic economic protection.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
CAESAR RODNEY born in Dover, E Ens K Cou 1 hier Genet M Repr at c « y will t 2 The Prudent © that ine “EVERY INSURANCE POLICY IS A DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE ~A CHARTER OF ECONOMIC FREEDOM He Outrode Paul Revere But how many know 4 Ie was July Ist 177¢ The Declaration of t The Delaware delegat Ga their away and far from well chime Up rose Rodney, with pain. Over ci ol In UME LO save nil I ment of treedom! cast ©" Delawa I the Continental Congress. “1 wore *Yes" said ! ing in his seat. EDWARD D DUFFIELD Pr COOLIDGE. comicbooks.com