The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1861-07-25
EBENSBURG, Y


mission. The colonial leaders looking
only at the bright side of their prospects,
fattered themselves that one or two cam
paigns would finish the war; and whether
| the connections with Great Britain con
tinued or not, would secure on a firm
foundation the rights Of the colonies"
In the steeplc of the State House, in
Philadelphia was a bell, which is still pre-
served as most interesting relic Of the
Revolution. 1t was recast in this country
in 1853, of one imported from England,
and which cracked upon its first ringing.
1t bore the singularly appropriate inscrip-
ton ''Proc.aim liberty throughout the
land, unto all the inhabitants thereof. >
The earliest knowledge of the adoption of
the Declaration Of Independence was con-
veyed to the multitude congregated about
the State House by the soft and joyful
notes of this bell, thus early dedicated to
the cause of freedom
1t was the morning that the gray haired
bell ringer ascended to his place. He
was an earnest patriot, and hoped that
day to ring out from his old bell the tt
dings of declared Independence. With
him, to the State House, came an intelli-
gent looking, blue-eyed boy. This was
his grandson. Reaching the steeple, both
were for sometime occupied with the love-
ly scenes Of the city and country, which
stretched before them. Looking down,
however, the boy noticed the crowd al
ready collecting in the vicinity.
sGrandpa," he said, ''what is to-day ?"
'.To day." replied the aged man, as he
struggled with suddenly aroused emotion.
To-day my boy, [ pray, with all my soul
may be the birthday of a nation"
"Will the cannOns fire 20
cay, they will thunder as they never
did before in America
"And will you ring the bell 2"
"Will L ring it % cried the old man
"Yes, / will ring it, until the despot
across the sea shall tremble upon his
throne"
"May l he1p?"
GOOD bless you, my boy exclaimed
the grandfather, embracing the child
"Certainly you may"
The bell-ringer accordingly arranged
that the boy should wait at the door OF
the chamber in which Congress was as
sembled and receiving notice of the adop-
cate the fact, so that the bell could be in
stantly rung.
The boy fairly danced about with de-
light as the plan was explained to him
He attached much importance to the po-
sition of his grandfather as bell-ringer :;
and he now comprehended that some great
event was likely to occur.
81 willno stir from the door, grandpa"
he said ''no, not one inch"
'Not until they tell you America is de-
clared free
Thus impressed, and with a proud air,
the boy descended to the lower part OF
the building A little sentinel, he stood
composed and patient in the door of the
Congressional Chamber, intent to do his
duty
We pass within the portals.
The debate on the grave question of
the hour is progressing. Every face is
serious, and the solemnity of the scene
is such that it seems almost sad one
Every word is well considered before it
is uttered the eyes flash and the voices
tremble with feeling, but never with
fear.
There is Hancock, already proclaimed
by the minions of the king as rebel be-
yond the pale of mercy. But he sits
here stern, infexible, and unfaltering in
his devotion to liberty. The great spirit
was upon him, such as induced the remark,
when signing the Declaration of Indepen-
dence "There, John Bull can read that
name without spectacles. Now, let him
double his reward" Observe John Ad-
ans he -dtches every countenance, he
does not lose single syllable of the de-
bates, he can be satisfied with nothing
short of Independence. There is Jeffer-
son he is not disturbed, because altera-
tions are made in his paper for he finds
that, in the main, his Declaration of Griev-
ances will be endorsed-perhaps ambition
fame And there, speaking, is Richard
Henry Lee; he rises to lofty flights of elo-
quence; he thunders against the tyranny
of the mother country, and sends a thrill
through the assemblage as he pictures the
future of free America Venerable and
calm sits Benjamin Franklin no one
knows better than himself the mighty
consequences depending upon these de-
liberations But he is ready to defy the
wrath of crown and parliament. There is
the talented and patriotic Rutledge. He
thinks New England and Virginia too
| hasty. Justice may yet be done. But
he is with them in sentiments, heart aud
arm.
Mc-aHh.ls the boy kept his post