The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1870-07-21

source of one of the American. rive
is an interesting object to the travele
who is appraised, as he steps across
or walks few miles by its, bank
that this. is the stream that runs 8
far, and which gradually swells int
so immense a food. So, too, are th
incidents occurring at the landing {
the Pilgrim Fathers. Contemplat
that most touching and pathetic seen
when the great discoYerer of Amer
ca stood on the deck of his ,shattere
bark, the shades of night falling O
the sea, tossed for five long month
on the mad biilows of an unknow,
ocean, yet the stronger billows of al
ternate hope and despair. writll
ing in his own troubled thoughts, ex
tending forward his harassed frame
strafning westward his anxious an,
eager eyes, till Heaven at last granite,
him a moment of rapture or ecstac,
in blessing his vision with the sigh
of the new world. 0.'-,'' j. ~ >
The breaking waves dashed high. !"
On stern and rock-bound coast; r
The woods against a stormy sky, iE-' q.
Their giant branches tossed. r-ff-..,.t
This story to us, their children, will
always beinteresting. We shall ney
er stand unmoved} on the shores O
Plymouth, while the sea continues t,
wash it, nor forget that early settle
ment till the river ceases to flow b,
1t, and the vigor Of youth and tn,
maturity of manhood will never for.
get the spot where its infancy wa,
Graded. Humble as was their con
dition then, n Retrospective view to.
day seems to deck their pathway with
the choicest flowers, and wreath then
with garlands and laurel crowns. o %.
Only six more years and the greai
cycle of9a century win have rollel
around since that eventful:. peri.
cd, when dates American Indepen:
dence. A Committee g of FIVE were
chosen by ballot to prepare Declar-
alton. These men were Thomas JEFF
ferson, John Adams, BENZ. Franklin,
Roger T. Sherman and Robt. r. Liy-
ingston. 1t was usual for Committees
to arrange themselves in the order
according to the number. of ballots
each received. Mr.. jefferson received
the highest and Mfr. Adams the next
highest. The difference is said to
have been but single vote. Jeffer.
son and Adams standing thus at the
head of the committee, were appoint
ed by the rest as subcommittee. to
prepare the draft. Mr.. Jefferson
drew up the paper, and that original
paper was brought from his study
room with one or two interlineations
in the hand writing of DR.. Franklin,
none changing the tone or character of
the original 1t was the production of
Thomas Jefferson, and the high honor
of it belongs clearly and absolutely
to him. 1t was submitted to Con-
gress on the I'd of July, and on the
I'd, 3rd and 4th days, was, discussed
by that body. On the last of those
days it was finally approved and sane
toned, and on the. 10Th it appears
from the secret journals, as they held
their sessions with closed doors. and
no public report ever made Of their
deliberations, Congress resolved that
the Declaration passed on, the 4th be
fairly engrossed on parchment with
The title and style of "the unanimous
declaration of the thirteen united
States of America" 1t received the
signatures of the members on the I'd |
lay of August. Washington had al
'eady drawn his sword at the head of
IN American army, under the old ven
9rable elm tree which still shades the,
southwest corner of the Commons of
Cambridge. It stands in the center
If Garden Street,-being surrounded
~ q plain neat iron fence, just outside
If which is erected Quincy Gran
te Monument, marking the spot
where Washington is supposed to have
tood, and bearing this inscription
Under this tree Washington first
ook command of the American army |
Iuly Sd, 1775." Itis the largest and |
most beautiful tree. 1 ever saw. It's
runk measures about seven feet in
liameter Is short and branches out
nte tall, wide.spreading, far reach
ng mammoth top, said to be over a
undred feet across. 1t is well cared
or and is now in vigorous growing
The little Spartan band
ad also immortalized the nights of
'harlestown, and consecrated the 18th
f June with their blood in the cause
f liberty. This Declaration was a
ew impetus. 1t was sent to the pull
1t. Religion approved 1t. 1t was
ent to the Public, Halls, and their
cry walls cried out in its support.-ll
was proclaimed. at the head of the
rmy, and every sword was drawn
'om its scabbard and a solemn VOW
tered with their plighted faith, to ,
laintain it or perish on the bed Of
onor; and whom its final succeeds was
quilted by some cautious member,
link of the reply of that great colos-
u tower of mental strength, John ft
dams, whose words are so sppropri.
ely placed, that every school boy
ill learn to utter them: "Sink or I
vim, live or die, survive or perish, q
give my hand aud my heart to this ,
ote," and again he says, that i
through the thick gloom of the pres t
1t, I see the brightness of the future c
the sun in Heaven, we shall make t
us glorious and an Immortal day. a
nd SO that day shall be honored, IL a
striOus prophet and patriot. and ne i