Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-08-02

OF Independence.
Lord Mahon, an apologist for British blum
dsrs, having given his version Of the American
Revolution, that sterling and accurate antigua
rian, Colonel Force, ever vigilant to defend
the fame Of his country, takes up Mahop, and
inficts upon him such a skinning as will do
good to every American heart to witness In
correcting numerous historical perversions,
Colonel Force gives the journal history of the
Declaration of Independence, with such per-
sonal notice Of the signers as is necessary to a
correct comprehension Of its adoption. Never
having before seen the detail in print, and cor
roofing in some respects our idea of the pre-
else execution of the Declaration we have
given it to our readers
"The Declaration Of Independence, appearing
as the act of the whole people, was finally adopted
| and signed by every member present at the time,
except only Mr. Dickinson.
"This was ON the 4th Of July--a day which has
ever since been celebrated as festival day by the
Americans the birthday, for thus they deem
ed it, OF their freedom" (P. 9s.)
| The Declaration Of Independence was adopted
on the 4th Of July by the vote Of twelve States,
| the same that two days before had, as Colonies
/
July the Congress also ordered:
That the Declaration be authenticated and
printed.
That the committee appointed to prepare the
Declaration superintend and correct the press.
| That copies of the Declaration be sent to the
| several assemblies, conventions, and committee
or councils of safety, and to the several command
ing officers of the Continental troops that it be
proclaimed in each Of the United States and at the
head of the army.
All this was DONE 1t was also printed and cir
culatcd among the people, in all the Cities towns
| and villages, wherever printing press was found
1t was read everywhere-in churches, in the
courts, at all gatherings of the people, and in
every private company and family circle 1t was
this universal diffusion of the Declaration that
made the 4th of July the great festival day Of the
nation, instead of the I'd day Of July, the real
birthday of American freedom.
| But it should be remembered that on the 4th of
July it was "a Declaration by the Representatives
of the United States Of America in Congress as
sembled," as it is found on the journal at this day.
1t had not then the sanction OF New York, whose
delegates were without authority to vote on the
question, and it could not then be called unan-
nous Declaration Of the thirteen States. When it
received the sanction of New York. and not till
then, it was "the unanimous Declaration" This
was well understood in the Congress, and is men
toned in letter from Mr.. Gerry to General War
rem, dated Philadelphia, July 8, l776, in which he
| says:
| New York will, most probably, on Monday next
when its convention meets for forming consttu-
ton, join in the measure, and then it will be emit
tied "the unanimous Declaration Of the thirteen
United States Of America"
New York did join in the measure in few days
In the meanwhile the Declaration by the Repre-
sentatives" was, as ordered by Congress, anthem
tcated. This was the form of the Authorization:
"Signed by order and in behalf of the Congress.
John Hancock President. Attest: Charles Thorn
son, Secretary" 1t bore no other signatures, It
was not signed by the members. 1t was signed
by John Hancock by their order and in their be-
half
| On the 9th of July, when the New York Con-
vcntion met, they unanimously approved the Dec
laration, and pledged their lives and fortunes to
unite with the other Colonies in supporting it,
| Unanimity was thus and by these means attain
ed" The New York resolutions were laid before
the Continental Congress on the 18th of July.
On the 10th Of July Congress passed the follow.
ing resolution:
Resolped, That the Declaration passed on the
4th be fairly engrossed on parchment, with the
title and style Of 1.-THE Unanimous Declaration Of
the Thirteen United States Of America y and that
the same, when engrossed, be signed by every
member Of the Congress.
This was the first order for signing the Doclara-
ton of Independence. The order on the 4th was,
that it be authenticated and printed and even
now the order was not that il be signed by the
members present on the 4th of July or on any
other day it was 10 be "signed by every member
Of the Congress-"
On the I'd Of August the journal says: The
Declaration Of Independence, being engrossed
and compared at the table, was signed by the
members" II was then signed by the members
| present on that day including, of course the new
members who had taken their seats since the 4th
fully. But such Of the old members as had left
the Congress before the I'd Of August, and did
not return before the end Of the year, could not
sign It.
| This win explain why Mr. Dickinson's name is
not found among the signers of the Declaration.
He was not in Congress on the I'd Of August, 1873,
when il received its first signatures nor afterwards
in that year. But because his name Is not there,
II is by means 10 be inferred that he was In the
| slightest degree disaffected to the cause. John
Dickinson, like Robert Morris, opposed independ-
ence on the ground that at that time such a mea-
sure was premature. On this ground they both
| opposed the resolution In debate, and voted
against il when the question was taken on the I'd
Of July; but both when the decision was made,
acquiesced in the measure, and gave IL their earn
est firm, and cordial support. Before the middle
/ Oh July mr.. dickinson Darcned Win the regiment
he commanded to Elizabethtown, in New Jersey,
where he remained until they were discharged in
the following September. In the meantime new
delegation was chosen by the Pennsylvania Con-
vention, in which Mr.. Morris was retained, but
Mr. Dickinson was not rechosen. On the I'd Of
August, therefore, Robert Morris was In the Con-
gress, and signed the Declaration but John Dick
inson, who then not member, could not
signit
There was another member OF Congress who was
opposed TO ndependence-Mr John Alsop, Of
New York. But he appears to have been actually
opposed to independence, not at that time only,
but at any time.
On the 10Th Of July, when the resolutions Of the
New York Convention Of the 9th, approving the
Declaration, were read in Congress, Mr.. Alsop was
highly offended. The next day he addressed let
ter to the Convention expressing his dissatisfac-
ton at the course which had been pursued. In
this letter he saysi
81 am compelled, therefore, TO declare that Il Is
against my judgment and inclination. As long as
door was leh open for reconciliation with
Great Britain, upon honorable and just terms,
was willing and ready TO render my country all the
service in my power, and for which purpose was
appointed and sent TO this Congress; but as you
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