Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1857-07-09
poelital.
Written for the Green Mountain Freeman.
The Fourth of July, 1776.
BY LYDIA 4. WHITE,

IIODdDly bu6 CIECumotouCSo uhhOA uhiSh WV
Declaration of Independence was first proclaimed
to this nation, are familiar to most; yet trust
narration as them would be pardonable, Tor
they form tale which loses none of its interest
by repetition At that time, the Colonial Con-
gress was in session at Philadelphia The
morning of the Fourth of July, l776, dawned,
and that able body assembled in the hail of
legislation. The building is now standing, a
monument of the past, although the brave men
who then met within its halowed precincts,
are all mouldering in the dust. Intense anxiety
was felt throughout the city, to know the result
of the deliberations going on within the hall,
and many thronged around it, but no information
could be obtained. for the door was shut "A
man was placed in the cupola, to ring the bell
if the Declaration passed, and little boy was
stationed by the door, to carry the intelligence
to him. The sun rose high in the heavens, but
no tidings from the hall. Noon came and fed
away, and the sun was fast sinking in the
western sky, and the man on the house-top, and
Wiz lptiC wy w uoOi3 boSuh w 81" "S"t
and the anxiety of those without, was rath
increased tllan diminished. Still no lidings
came. Slowly fled the long hours of that sum-
mer day, and it was almost sunset, when the
man on the house top heard something in the
street, and looking down, there was the little
boy waving his cap, and shouting with all his
might, Ring, Ring, Ring Instantly the
glad tones rung out ON the summer air, and n
shout went up to the sky. Other bells caught
the sound, and bonfres were kindled, and thus
was kept the Fourth of July l776.
Four-score years and one have fed,
(And those great ones now are dead,)
Since brave and hardy band
Made great and noble stand
For their Freedom and their lives,
For their children and their wives
For their homesteads and their all,
VIII they stand, or must they fall
va In the city of good Penn
Gathered were those hardy men,
In a rude and ancient hall,
Yielding to their Country's call.
Theirs the strength, and theirs the might
To proclaim her sacred right.
Great their mission, great their need,
Who can tell what hearts shall bleed
The doors were shut. Silence there
Did not take the highest chair,
But earnest tones, voices clear,
Pleaded for their Country dear.
Eloquence was there that day,
Great hearts yielded to its sway.
Inspiration from the skies
Lit gallant sous--earnest eyes.
Will the God who ruleth all
Bid them stand, or bid them fall
Mornings sun shone bright and fair,
Anxious hearts we're waiting there
BY the door, and by the gate;
Could they know their pending fate
Clearer light would light their eye,
Moments would more quickly fly.
A. man on the house-top stood,
If the tdings should be good,
There to ring the trusty bell
Thus the news aloud to tell.
By the door little boy
Full Of life and childish Joy
Waiting stood, the man to tell
When to ring the joyful bell.
Morning fled on leaden wing,
But no tidings did he bring.
Mid-day's sun began to sink,
In the Westerns wavy brink,
Still no tidings from the hail.
Waiting, weary, anxious all.
moment more, what thrill
Doth the little urchin fill.
He waved his tiny cap,
That little rosy boy,
His soft curls streaming out,
And his heart full of joy.
!" Ring, Rng!'' shouted he,-
The glad tones rung out
From our great nation
Rose a joyful shout.
Distant bells caught the sound
Far, far away,
And our nations plaudit
Went up that day
70 the God ON high
Who doth rule the sky,
Who did give them might
To proclaim their right
In noble way
To the world that day.
July 4th, 1857.