Juniata sentinel. [volume] (Mifflintown, Pa.) 1846-1873, 1867-03-06


DECLARATION OF IYDEPENDENCE WAS
sINGED IN yDEPEYDENcE HALL, PHIL
ADELpHIA, FEBUARY, %, 1867.
Honored and respected Sirs, Mayor Of
Philadelphia, Gentlemen Of the select and
Common Council of tie Corporation of
Philadelphia have been requested By
the General Assembly of the State Of
Pennsy lYania, acting through commit.
tee appointed by the Senate and House Of
Representatives, TO present to the corpo-
ration Of the City of Philadelphia the
chair in which John Hancock sat, and
the table on which our venerate fathers
so many years ago signed our Declaration
of Independence. The object Of this
presentation upon the part Of the Logisla-
turo Of Pennsylvania is that these vcne-
rated and holy relies may be deposited
for safe keeping in old Independence Hall.
It Is not necessary, sir, that | should re-
fer to their history; it ia not necessary
that should more than refer to the fact
that these relics were temporarily loaned
by the Provincial Assembly Of Pennsyl-
vania to the Continental Congress, when
they were holding their deliberations il
Philadelphia that the Provincial assem-
bly, resumed their y session when Con-
grcss removed to New York. When the
capital Of tho State was removed to Har-
risburg, these articles were taken along.
There they have been from that time to
this That chair has been the seat, al
most all the time, Of the Speaker OF the
House Of Representatives and the table
has occupied conspicuous place in the
Public Library of the State The Legis-
aturc Of Pennsylvania thought it vas fit
and proper that cn this day, the anuiver-
sary of the birth of the father Of our coun-
try, in this place, in this sacred room
this room more loved by Americans
than any ore spot on the habitable globe
this room, with ali its happy assosia-
tions Of the past, with all its holy assosia-
tons Of the present-that here aud now,
in Independence Hall, these articles
should be placed in trust to remain forev-
er. Is it necessary, Mr.. Mayor, that l
should refer to the band Of patroits who
stood around John Hancock, and who sat
around this table ? Is it necessary that |
should refer to the Declaration they en-
acted and adopted? Is it necessary that
| should refer to the struggle that tried
mems souie-that struggle that ended In
making America free? (Ahplause.) Han
cock, the afluent citizen, the accomplish
cd statesman and orator, and popular idol,
as with bold hand lie sigued his name to
that veu5rated document His name is
alone sufficient to recall 70 Us his services
to lis country. Then a nation was born
in day, and the influence Of that nation
has been most happy from that day down
to this, (APplause.) Philadelphia should
have these holy relies she should pre-
serve them we'll, so that in the future,
lovers Of liberty in coming here may
come as pilgrims to sacred shrine, to pay
homage to this holy place. (Applause.) ,
May We not hope that as these relics are
preserved and our nationality made per, +,
petual The ci.y Of Philadelphia. Fit !
ting home for Independence Hall; fit.
ting place to put such relies as these.
What city in the Uni;ci States has SO
honorcd herself anl 50 aided in prcscrv- /
ing this land, as the city Of PhiladcI-
phia? (ApPlauso,) What city and
What public AID private citizens Of what
city have contributed so largely Of their
means, and have raised so many regiments
and supported them when in the field, as
did PhiladclpEia during the trying time
Of the Republic? (ApFIaaso.) What
city established such places for their COM
fort as they passed to and from the battle
ields Of the Rebellion Proud is Ike
State of her city, as she is proud of this
Hall. Oa behalf Of the Legislature, in
rust, we deposit these relics, we'll satisfied
hat this is the time anu this the pace
hey should be deposited (ApPiausc.) I,
cz3- ! lady seeing man ia the gut
IT, said she WAS afraid he was dead Pat