Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1849-06-28

Two Scenes in Independence Hall Philadelphia.
Nearly seventy three years ago-it will
be exactly seventy-three years next July
"a band of patriots were assembled in
what was then called Carpenters Hall,
but now better known as independence
Hall, in the city Of Philadelphia. The
oldest Of the number rerged on eighty, and
the youngest was not thirty years Of age.
Thirteen colonies through there dele
gates were then in session. and for what
purpose To found a mighty nation, and
to show to the world what ''men determin-
ed to be free" could accomplish. This
assemblage was composed of no common
materials. Men were there-some tillers
Of the soil, others from the pulpit, and
many from the workshop and the profess
sion Of the law men who had everything
to risk in what they undertook, for if un-
successful. treason was the crime, and the
gIbbet the reward!
They were not iaggards nor sluggards
in these days, for Congress met as early as
eight O'clock in The morning. John Ham
cock, the President, took his seat regular
ly at the hour, and after the roll call ,5usi-
ness commenced.
1t was about nine O'Clock on the morn
ing Of the 4th Of July, l776, when five
men advanced TO the chair ofthe President
and submitted report.
The very tall man is Thomas Jefferson,
the next person, who makes a few re-
marks, and every person who inclines his
ear to catch their purport--in height not
very tall or short, but inclined to corpu-
lency, is John ADAMS the old man vip-
ing his spectacles is the great philosopher
and patriot, Franklin; the tall man with
pleasant Puritanic face is Roger Sherman,
Of Connecticut, who was in early life a
shoemaker and the last member Of the
committee-a handsome aristocratic-look-
ing gentleman, is Robert r. Livingston,
afterwards Minister to France, and Chan
cellor OF New York.
These men make their report-it is
read-What is it? THE DEcLARArIox
OF INDEPENDENCE! Separate from the
mother country, to be independent ?--"No!
MOI" some cry. John Dickinson, OF
Philadelphia, rises and opposes the report
of the committee. But seei Jefferson
touches Adams on the elbow, and the lat
ter at once takes the floor.
You can hear a pin drop. Adams com
mences speaking. Hark to the tones of
his voice! He grows more and more elo-
quent, an intense silence prevails all are
anxious to hear every word that falls from
the lips Of the Massachusetts advocate
Deeply do those words fall upon attentive
$. As Jefferson said in long after
times Tohn Adams, in his famous speech
mon Tho in,ec.a.ation, was the Colossus of
INDEPENDENCE. lie takes his seat amid
the murmur Of appia use,-.he vote is call
ed-and we are declareH forever sepefa'e
from Great Britain. ia s
A few days ago dead Body M.'s rest
ing in the same hall, surrounded by al. the
emblems Of mourning with which we hon.
or the distinguished dead. That remnant
Of mortality but short time before con-
tanned soul endowed with patriotism,
distinguished learning, and an unsurpass-
ed love Of country.
This body rested on the spot where SEE
venty-two years before, the father OF the
dead advocated the cause Of his country.
The thirteen States had grown to thirty,
and mourner from each stood beside the
bier of the son. Both had been Presidents
of the United States and both died full Of
wears and honors, lamented by all. Who
say that Republics are angratefM!
aMen who have force Of character e.