The spirit of patriotism is never circumscribed in its operations.  It honors and elevates its object no matter what his situation in society.  This little booklet will show that the merchant abandoned his interests, the physician his practice, the shoemaker his last, the lawyer his profession, and the sailor his ship, so that their time and their talents might be devoted to the country’s common interests.   And so it was with George Clymer, who quit merchandising and joined the faithful band of heroes in Philadelphia.  In his youth he ran a coffee house near where Independence Hall now stands.  George Washington dropped in one day.  Clymer did not know him but showed him marked courtesy and service.  A friendship developed that lasted until their death.  Later Clymer acquired much wealth, which he gave freely to Washington during the worrisome financial times at Valley Forge.  He died poor.  The original Pennsylvania delegation to the Congress was not inclined to ratify the Declaration, and Clymer was one of those chosen to save the day.  He signed the document but was not present when it was adopted.  Immediately afterward his home was sacked and destroyed by an infuriated mob displeased with his action.  He was also a signer of the Federal Constitution.  He can truly be termed one of the fathers of this country.