The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-07-06
Before IL and surrounding IN.

OF honor composed Of cadets attached TO the North
east Grammar MN school under command Q, Oaptam
and hearing their tiny muskets, looked pretty
enough, and attracted the attention of all sum-
cienty near to them. Soldiers In emtryO they
were, sproutng heroes, made Of just such stun as
that which first liberty during the Revolution,
and saved IL during the Rebellion. Hundreds of
schoolgirls brightly dressed, present TO aid by their
voices the rendering OF the dedication Odes and
hymns, were standing near by. Around them in solid
masses, stretched away the crowd. In the square
behind the Hall was parked the artillery to peal the
salute when the veil was liIted from the monument
corners Of Fifth and Sixth Streets compelling all
the only practicable mode-who wished to partici-
pate to enter the space .around the monument 10y
means Of the main avenue of the hall. OF course,
the cars were blocked. Flags and bunting were
everywhere displayed, and handkerchlefs waved IN
the hands of every woman present Upon the plat
form were his Honor Mayor Fox, Bishop Simpson,
Rev. Albert Barnes Hon. Henry ID. Moore,
George f. Gordon, Esq.--the speakers; and many
members OF the City Councils, number of clergy
men, several of the Board OF School Controllers, and
scores Of others.
Among those upon the side platforms, or wings of
the principal platform, were number Of the mem
tended in consequence OF the following invltatiOn:-
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR or THE CITY OF PhIiADEL-
Association OF Veterans OF the War Of 1S12-Sir-It
will give the Committee of Arrangements and my
self much pleasure should the members OF the asso
citation find it convenient to favor us with their
company, and participate in the ceremonies OF the
Independence Hall this morning.
In the event of their acceptance OF the invitation,
With sentiments Of the highest regard for your
sell and the other members have the & honor to be-
TO the foregoing the following reply was re-
ceived:-
SUPREME COURT RooM.-Hon. Daniel N. Fox
Honored Sir:-Your polite invitation to the members
OF The association OF the soldiers OF 1873 to partci
pate in the reception OF the statue of washington
IN front of the Hail OF Independence has this moment
been received. In consequence OF the ShOrtness OF
the notice. there are but few members in attendance;
however, they accept the invitation with pleasure
and await your directions have the honor TO be,
| yours, very respectfully,
The 'old soldiers" then came upon the platform,
escorted through the crowd by a squad OF police
officers sent for that purpose by the Mayor.
A Congratulatiou.
The following telegraphic despatch was received
CREssoN SPRINGS July 8, 1s6s.-Hon. Daniel M.
Fox, Mayor of Philadelphia.--TO the Citizens OF
Philadelphla:-The guests OF the Mountain House
send greetings and congratulations in recognition Of
the graceful ceremonies in front OF Independence
Hall OF the lustrous memory of the man and Of the
TO which Mayor Fox replied:-
PHILADELPHIA, July s. 1S69.-The statue OF Wash
ngton is in place and commands the entrance to the
Hall where the immortal Declaration was first made
known to the world. 1t admonishes us that the
| patriotism OF &c Is q sacred one, and must be
cherished by all who love their country.
The compliments OF the Mayor of Philadelphia to
the guests OF the Mountain House. trusting that they
revel in patriotic enjoyment on this memorable day.
DANIEL N. Fox, Mayor OF PHILADELPHIA
Springs, Pennsylvania.
The committee of Councils appointed to make the
arrangements for the dedication was as follows:-
William B. Hanna, chairman. Select Council
Samuel w. Cattell David Cramer, William Bumm,
Patrick Duny, William L. Morrison, William s. stok-
ley, president eG-o6iciO. Common COuncil-John
Fareira, Henry Huhn, Samuel c. Willitts, George w.
Nickels, Joseph T.. Marcer, president er-o6icio
The officers Of what was the Washington Monu-
ment Associaton-now, OF course, out Of existence
by the presentation OF the monument to the city
were as fOllOws:-
Presdent-George +. Gordon.
Vicc-President-Jame Freeborn.
Secretaries-Washington j. Jackson and Henry
Mather
Treasurer-Joseph Cooper
At length, when everything was in readiness, Wil-
liam b. Hanna, Esq.,, called the assemblage to order.
and then delivered the following address,
The Opening Address.
Ladies and Gentlemen and Pupils OF the Public
SchoOls:-At the commencement of the ceremonies
of this occasion, while your hearts thrilled with
joyful anticipations OF pleasure and delight at the
contamination OF hopes and wishes long delayed,
event whose ninety second anniversary we Will to-
On the 7th Of june 1776. within yonder historic
walls, band of patriots were in council. They had
met TO consider the wrongs inflicted upon the colo
nies by the mother country, and had resolved to re-
nouDcc forever their allegiance.
ON that day Richard Henry Lee, OF Virginia, arose
and read the resolutiou:-"That these united colo
nies are, and OF right ought to be- free aud indie
pendent States; and that all political connection
between ur and the State OF Great Britain is, and
ought to be- totally dissolved"
This resolution was not considered until three
days a1tcrward, when its further consideration was
postponed until July l. and committee was ap-
pointed, in case Congress agreed thereto, 10 prepare
declaration TO that effect.
Thomas Jefferson appointed chairman OF the
committee, and he wrote the Declaration 10 be pre-
scented to Congress at his lodgings In the house
Mrs CJmer, on the southwest corner OF Seventh
and Market Streets which still stands survivor OF
the many changes in its vicinity.
Mr.. Lees resolution was adopted on the 2d day OF
July, and on the 4th a unanimous vote OF the thir-
teen colonies was given In favor OF the Declaration,
whereby they were declared free and inder endent
Statey
LOSING, the historian further informs us that it
was two O'Clock in the afternoon when the final de-
cisiOn was announced by Secretary Charles Thorn
son TO the assembled Congress. II was moment of
solemn interest, and when he sat down deep
silence pervaded that august assembly. Thousands
OF anxious citizens had gathered In the streets, for
1t was known that the final decision was to he made
on that day. From ten O'Clock the old bellman had
been in the steeple. lie placed boy at the door
below to give him notice when the announce
ment should be made AS hour succeeded hour, the
grey beard shook his head and said They Will never
do t--hey wiz never do i'll" Suddenly leud shout
came up IRON below and there stood the blne,eyed
boy chipping his hands, and shouting, "Ringw
"Rngm Grasping the iron tongue OF the old bell,
backward and forward he hurled 1t hundred times,
IFS loud voice prOcaimlng Liberty throughout all
the land unto all the inhabitants thereof" The eX-
cited multitude in the streets responded with loud
iTuminatjons the patriots held glorious carnival
that night in the quiet city OF Penn.
The action Of that day by the Continental Congress
has ever win be considered by the lovers of civil
snd religious liberty The most momentOus event OF
modern history. Its influence is even now being felt
throughout the world nerying the arm and cheering
the heart Of the oppressed of every land We meet
to-day Ia honor the memory OF those who fought and
bled and died in freedoms cause; to recount their
victories, defeats priyati0ns, and sacrilcos and
Whlch through years OF war, brought peace and In
dependence
We, The posterty for whom they laid upon the altar
ol thelr country all that Was sacred, life, fortune,
hohor, should cherish and revere the sacrifices they
| Made, ana prize the nch inheritance they gained
| And while we commemorate and honor the genius
p;nu' ", anu integrity of the leader sent by Pro-