The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1876-07-05
Wednesday. July 5, 1876.
The True Independence Day.

The Ifue Anuepenuence LAY.
The Independence of the Colonies was
declared on the ID, not the 4th of July,
but the people. for a hundred years, have
chosen to celebrate the 4th, as il was on
that day that the formal phraseology was
agreed on.
On thelsth of January, 1916, the house
Of representatives Of the colony of Massa-
chusetts empowered its delegates in the
continental congress, in conjunction with
the delegates from the other American
colonies, to take measures to establish
American Independence.
On the Esd of March, 1916,
the provincial congress Of South Caro-
lima authorized its delegates to do
the same thing, and other colonies
followed in the following order: Georgia,
April 5th: North Carolina, April 18th;
Rhode Island, May 4th; Virginia, May
18th.
North Carolina empowered its delegates
Ito concur with the-delegates OF the other
colonies in declaring independence
first occasion on which the tCord indie
pendence' was articulated by the voice of
whole colony speaking through its repre-
sentatives.
The convention Of Virginia formally in.
strueted its delegates in congress, not sim
ply to concur" with the other colonies
in these general measures for the common
welfare, but to take the initiative in ex.
pressly proposing ito declare the United
colonies free and independent states, alb
SOLVED from all allegiance to or depend
''ence upon the crown or parliament Of
Great Britain"
On the 18th of June, 1916, Richard
Henry Lee delegate from the colony Of
Virginia, arose IN the continental congress,
then sitting at Philadelphia, and, in pur-
suance of the instructions of the Virginia
convention, formally moved the following
resolutions:
"ResoiU,d, That these United Colonies are. and
81 right ought TO be, free and independent states
that they are absolyed from all allegiance TO the
tween them and the state OF Great Britain Is and
ought 20 be, totally dissolved.
THAT it is expcdicnt forthwith to take the most
eiectual measures for forming foreign alliances
THAT plan OF confederation be prepared and
transmitted to the respective colonies for their
sideration and approval"
The foregoing resolutions, after consid
Grafton, were postponed from time to time
until June 10th, when congress resolved
itself into committee of the whole, Mr.
Harrison of Virginia, being ir the chair
and after debate, the following resolution
was agreed to in committee and reported
to congress:
resolution be postponed TO Monday the first da
OF July next, and In the meanwhile that no tint
beozt In case the congress agree thereto, and that
COMMITTEES be appointed TO prepare declaration {
the effect Of the SAID frat resolution, which is ii
these words: That these United Colonies are, an,
Of right ought Ia be, free and independent states
that they Absolvcd from all allegiance to tn
British Crown, ana that all political connection be
tween them and the state Of Great Britain IL an
ought 10 be, TOTALLY Dissolved
This resolution was considered discusse,
aud postponed from time to time, unit
July when it came up for final &C ton
There had been good deal of opposition
to it, but on this day Rodney arrived iron
Delaware and turned the wavering balanc
of that colony in favor of independence
Dickinson and Morris absented themselye
from their seats, and thus enabled Frank
lin, Wilson and Morton to cast the vote {
Pennsylvania in favor Of the resolution
The South Carolina members waived thei
individual opinions in Difference to tn
views OF majority of congress, aud a
though the delegates from New York coul
not vote for the measure, they did nc
vote against it, And so it came to pas
that by the vote of twelve colonies, an
without one dissenting colony" as th
chronicle of the time truly runs, the twelv
colonies, in congress assembled
'RssoiUsd. That the united colonies are, and q
right ought TO be, free aud Independent states tina
they are are absolved from all allegiance to tn
British crown, and that all political connection be
tween them and the state OF Great Britain IL, an
ought % be- totally dissolved
On the next day July g. l77G) Johl
Adams wrote to Mrs. Adams as follows
Yesterday the greatest question was decide
which ever was debated in America, ard create
perhaps never was nor Will be decided among men
A resolution passed. without one dissentin
colony, that these united colonies are, end OF RICH
ought To be, free and independent states, etc. Io
viii see In a few days declaration setting fort
the causes which have impelled us to this might
resolution, and the reasons which will justify II /
the sight OF God and man"
On the same day he wrote to her again
"Ihe I'd Of July lT1G,will b. the most memorable
epoch In the history Of America. I am apt to be
heye that 1t will be celebrated by succeed ding gen
cfatiOns a. the great anniversary festival II Ougi
TO be commemorated NJ the day of dcliverauCe b.
solemn acts Of devotion to God Almighty.
ought 10 be solcmuized with pOmp and parade, wit
shows, games. sports, guns. bells, bOnfirCs an
illuminatious from one end OF TIA continent To- Ia