The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1876-05-26
From the Republic.
Il Notable Ceremony.

Among the interesting incidents con
nected with the opening of the Centen
NAL Exhibition at Philadelphia was the
return to the Old Hall in which it was
adopted and signed of the Original
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. The
National Administration decided to al
low it to be placed in that sacred place
during the continuance of the great ex
hibition.
Secretary Chandler paid fitting com
pliment to gentlemen of high personal
and patriotic character when he desig.
mated Mr.. Alonzo Bell, Chief Clerk OF
the Department of the Interior, to con.
vey the immortal document TO its birth.
place and temporary place of deposit.
The municipal authorities of Philadel.
phia showed their appreciation of the
circumstances by receiving the document
and its bearer with all due honors. Mr..
Bell, in fulfilling his duty. made with
great fitness the following appropriate
speech:
"On behalf of the Government of the
United States, and under the special in.
structions of the Secretary of the In.
terror, have the high honor of return
ing to the city and the hall which gave
it birth the original Declaration of In.
dependence. Its advent was amid strife
and revolution. I bring it back to-day
amid evidence of universal peace. l
would that the signers of this sacred
document were here to receive it, that
they might behold the completion of the
work they inaugurated. But they can.
not be with us. They have long since
answered the summons that we in time
must answer. Even their signatures
have almost faded from sight, and the
parchment itself is beginning to crumble
under the touch of century.
But let us be thankful and rejoice
to-day that the spirit of freedom which
found expression in this document still
lives and finds reflection in the hearts of
the American people.
To this holy spot--for [ deem it
hallowed ground on which L stand
tens of thousands from every quarter of
the globe will come to kneel at this
shrine of nations liberty, and to ren.
der homage, not only to those who laid
the foundation-stones of the temple, but
also to those whose faces we still remem-
Der, who laid down their lives in defense
,f the comnleted structure
Let us be thankful that the Repub.
ic still lives; that this document, which
has come back to you, has not been dis
but returns like an aged parent
% look upon the glory of his children,
Ind to breathe out prayer and a
blessing for those who have proven
worthy of his benedction.
6" Let US thank God for this Centen.
hal year so full of promise and hope
or the administration of justice under
ust President; for the peace we enjoy
1t home and abroad; for the signs of
dawning; for the rekindling
# loyalty and patriotism; for the bless.
ngs of good government and the pres
nee of civil and religious liberty. Let
is be devoutly thankful for this Centen.
lial year.
And now, gentlemen, in obedience
o my instructions l transfer to your
guardianship this precious document.
Permit me to express the hope that a
ellie that has been protected by the love
nd veneration of the American people
or hundred years will suffer no injury
Inder your charge, but will be returned
t the close of the Centennial season in
S good condition as you now receive it.
The Declaration was then placed in a
afe constructed both to exhibit and pre-.
erve it. the key of which is in possession
f the Interior Department. The old
Hall is now restored to the condition, as
ear as may be, in which it appeared
vben John Hancock's bold signature
cad the van.