The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1869-07-02
The Independence Bell-July 4th
1770.

The Independence Bell-July 4t
177O.
When it became certain that tbc DO,
laration Of Independence would bc ado,
tcd and confirmed by The signatures .
The delegates in the Continental Co,
|gress, il was determined 10 announce m
event by ringing the old State Hons
bell which bore the inscription. "Irc
claim liberty 10 the land; TO all the i,
habitahts thercofw and the old bellma
posted his little boy ut the door Of IN
nall to avail the instruction of the doc,
Keeper when to ring. At the word tina
the document had been signed. the It'll
patriot scion rushed out, and flingino II,
his hands. shouted, "liing! Ring Ring f!
There was a tumult in the city,
| Ia the quaint old Quaker town,
Ana the streets were rife with people
Facing restless up and down;
People gathering at corners.
Where they whispered each to each,
And the sweat stood on their TEMPLES,
With the carnestncss Of speech.
AS the bleak Atlantic currents
Dash the wild Newfoundland shore.
so they beat against the State House.
30 they surgcd against the door;
And the mingling Of their voices
Made harmony profound,
I'LL the quiet street Of chcstnufs
Was all turbulent with sound.
will they do it 2" Dare thew do II ~
Who is spcakingT What's the news 2
What Of Adams z What of Sherman p
"Oh. God grant they won't refuse 7"
Make some way there = Let me nearer 7
II am Sitting" :" "Stifle. then,
When a nations lifc's at hazard.
We've no time to think of men,"
So they beat against the portal,
Men and women, maid and child;
And the July sun in heaven
On the scene looked down and smiled
The same sun that saw the Spartan
Shed his patriot blood in vain.
Now behcld the soul Of freedom
All unconquercd, rise again.
So they surgcd against the State House,
While. all sOlcmnly inside.
sat the continental Congress"
Truth and reason for their guide,
Der simple scroll debating
Which, though simple it might be-
Yet should shake the cliffs of England
With the thunders Of the free.
AT the portal of the State House,
Like some beacon in Il storm,
Round which waves are wildly beating.
Stood boyish slender form:
with his eyes fixed on the stccplc
And his cars agapc with greed
TO catch the first announcement
Of the "signing" of the deed.
Aloft, in that high stccplc
sat the bcllman, old and gray
He was weary Of the tyrant
And his iron-sccpicrcd sway.
80 he sat, with one hand ready
On the clarper of the bell.
When his eye should catch the signal,
The happy news to tell.
zee! see! The dense crowd quiycrs
Through all its lengthy line,
Is the 10y beside the portal
Looks forth to give the sign!
With his small hands upward lifted.
Brcczes dallying with his hair,
lark with deep, clear intonation,
Breaks his young voice on the air.
nshcd the peoples swelling murmur,
List the boys strong Joyous cry.
King he shouts, "iilHc Grandpa!
Ring! d! Ring Tor LIBERTY ~ II
nd straightway, at the signal.
The old bcllman lifts lis hand. lf
nd sends the good news, making |ll
Iron music through the land. o
ow they shouted what rcjoicingl K
How the old he'll shook tie air, #
II the clang Of freedom ruflled ll'
The calm gliding Delaware! u
0w the bonfircs and the torches Il
Illuminated the nights rcposc, IN
nd from the flames, like Phoenix, s.
Fair liberty arose. il
&c old bell now is silent. Ill
And hushcd its iron tongue, nj
Il the spirit il awakened OF
Still lives : forever young. tll
I'd while we greet the sunlight TO
On the Fourth Of each July,
I'll nc'cr forget the bcllman,
Who. 'twix the earth and sky, iii,
ng out OUR INDEPENDENCE, an
Which, please God. shall never die. th
lie new Louisville and Cincinnati ~ !,
lroad is not chcaply built. There has &C =.
n due regard for economy, but the Ia, IA,
in object of its sagacious projectors WI WI
, IN build n first class road W ithouf IOl