Connecticut western news., 1876-07-21
The original Declaration Reud.

We extract from the correspondence of the Hartford Times, the following thrilling account of the reading in Philadelphia of the original manuscript of the Declaration of Independence by Richard Henry Lee 2nl, the great grandson of Richard Henry Lee. one of its signers ahundred years ago.
 All the world knows what was said and doue in Philadelphia on the occasion of its celebration on the 4th instant, and notably of the hour for reading the original docu- ment signed by our fathers a hundred years ago; what distinguished group gathered around the speakers, in brilliant uniforms or plain civilians dress-Dom Pedro tow ering above them all and taking keen- eyed interest in everything; but no one who was there knows, or ever will know, for words fail in describing it, what scene that was when Richard Henry Lee came forward and the original Declaration of h. dependence was held up before the people, preparatory to his reading it. Everyone knew that the sacred old parchment was to be read on this anniversary; had thought of 1t, in an indifferent sort of way, as something very appropriate; but when that yellow, faded Declaration was lifted up be- fore the multitude, like the Host at High
 
 throhg there arose great cry of recogni- ton, such wave of emotion swept over me that tears rushed to my eyes and every fibre vibrated in sympathy with the wild enthusiasm of the moment. Men yelled and cheered, and the upturned faces of the vast multitude, all focused on that bit of paper, were intense with the enthusiasm of the moment. For that moment at least we were one people, of one country and with one sentiment of patriotism. Waiting un- til there was break ln the tumultuous ap- plause, General Hawley said: Let us put all our strength into united cheers giving the signal at the same moment. Then there arose cheer after cheer, strong, unit ed, enthusiastic. Dom Pedro waved his umbrella in the air, statesmen and generals swung their hats, and the great voice of the people swelled into such grand peal as never heard before. Surely they who, 8 hundred years ago, in stern determination and unfaltering patriotism signed those names, now scarcely legible, upon this an cient parchment, were permitted this day to see and hear the great American people in their hour of grateful patriotism.
 A hundred years A hundred years Oul hearts flew back to that day when first this Declaration was read to an eager throne upon this same square. There stands tho old Hall and the old trees, and there is tht old Declaration. Only they who rejoicet and cheered on that day are gone bu from all lands, crossing all seas. have com, hundreds and thousands of men to share thC liberty So boldly demanded then-and upor this anniversary, gathering on the old spot and catching up the echoes yet lingeIin. there, voices from all nations. hearts iron all lands, unite in one swelling, urging rythmic roar, as of the sea, moved by great storm. To have ones heart beat {, such music is to have known an enthusiasm worth waiting century for. Those of u who felt it will never forget it, and it will always be to us the one great memory O our centennial anniversary.