Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1876-07-08
1vfE sYGNERS OF THE DECLARATION
OF INDEPENDENCE.

The following facts respecting the
personally of the illustrious men who
i1nperilled their property, their liberty
and their lives by attaching their sigma
lures tothat instrument which estab-
lished our national independence will
be read with interest as the centennial
anniversary of the day which witnessed
the act draws near:
Thethirteen States then comprising
the Anne srican colonies were represented
in the alsembage that passed the meas
ures by 6ty-one members. Thirty-sev-
Ell enjoyed the benefits of collegiate
training; twenty were lawyers; four
were physicians; five were clergymen;
three .were farmers; and the remainder
were engaged in mercantile pursuits,
except Roger Sherman, the shoemaker,
aud Ben;aman Franklin, who boosted
of being a printer, yet was statesman
and philosopher. Benjamin Frank
lin was the Oldest among the members
and Edward Rutledge tho youngest.
Robert Morris was the most opulent and
was tile financier of the administration,
negotiating extensive loans for the use
of the government on his personal cred
it. He died in prison, having been in
carcerated for debt; a beautiful COM
mentary on those laws that made no
discrimination between the honest but
unfortunate debtor and the convicted
felon.s Samuel Adams was the most
needy, his impoverished condition being
we'll known. The management OF his
pecuniary affairs made it necessary for
him to seek burial at the public ex-
pense. Josiah Bartlett was the first to
vote for the measure, and hrst utter
President Hancock to sign the docu-
ment. Two of the number, John Ad-
ans and Thomas Jefferson, were subse-
quently Presidents. It is remarkable
fact that these two men, having been
Presidents, associated on the committee
that framed the Declaration of Inde-
pendence," aud the first recognized
leaders of two great fractions OF our
country, died on the same DAY, the 4th
Of July, 1926, the fiftieth anniversary of
the day upon which they had contribu-
ted so much to the welfare of their
countrymen. Charles Carroll was the
only member that added his place OF
residence, and the reason of its being
done in this instance is somewhat Pc
culiar. The patriots that formed that
convention knew full we'll that by their
action on that day they hazarded their
lives. When Carroll signed, some one
near him remarked 'he will get of,
there are so many CAROLS they will not
know which to take Not SO said he,
and Immediately added, of Carrolton' {.
He lived to see all the memorable men
with whom he acted on that eventfnl
day pass away, and enjoyed the prosper
ity of his country until 1892 when he
died in his ninety fifth year"
LIBERTY BEIL.-The famous Liberty
bell was originally cast in England, in
l7ol. 1t contains the following inscrip-
ton:
BY order Of the Assembly ofthe Prov
'nce ofPeunsylvauia, 1852" Also, "Pro.
Claim liberty throughout all tho land, and
unto all the inhabitants thereof"
Before the bell was properly hung, it
was cracked by stroke Of the clapper,
and was rccast in this country. 1t was
nnlshed and hung in June, 1853. In
HI, at the time the American forces
We're compelled to evacuatc Philadelphia,
this bell, together with Christ church
chimes, was removed to Allentown, to
prevent them being melted into cannon
oy the English; at the close of the war it
Was returned to Philsdeaphie asd COZ
tlnucd iu eonstant ~ uasil e96 Hksa \
sas replaesd - ~ - ~ u =
9sd y . bell haose III ~ 80 sus & j.
fAisdeiphia: 81 ssl's
~ Hlass = - = =.