New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-07-05

what since has been known the Independence Hal
ha6tan n l e. WHICH preserved its rural aspect and
the quaint simplicity OF whose plan and structures had
always been marked among American towns-wcre
assembled somewhat less than ftf persons to consider
paper prepared by young Virginia lawyer giving rea-
sons for resolve which the Assembly hal adopted two
days before They farmers, planters, lawyers ply
sicians surveyors OF land, with one eminent Presoy
terrain clergyman minority Of them had been educated
at such schools primitive colleges, then existed on
this continent while few had enjoyed the rare adj
vantage Of training abroad and foreign travel but con-
siderable number perhaps twenty W all, and among
them some OF TIC lost influential had lad no other edu-
cation than that which they had gained by oEent read
ing while at their trades or or tu,ir farms.
The figure 10 which thoughts turn 0rst is that Of
the Of the careful paper the details Of which
the discussion turned. 1t has no special majesty or
chamthe slight. tall frame. thc sun-buTned face the
gray eyes spotted with hazel the red hair which crowns
the head; b already at tire age OF SO, the man has i'm
pressed himself his associates as master OF pTnc
ples and Of the language in which those principles 1ud
their expression that his colleagues have left to hiin
almost wholly the work of preparing the important Dec
iaration wants readiness in debate and so Is now ST.
lent but be listens eagerly 10 the vigorous argument ana
the orCbe appeals OF one of bis follows on the commit
tee, Mr. John Adams aui now and then
speaks with another of tho committee much
older than himseli-a stout man. with
friendly face. in plain dress whom tho world already
had heard something of as Benjamin Franklin. These
three are perhaps most prominently before rs we TO-
call the Vanished scene though Others were there OF line
presence and cultivated mauner and though all impress
us as substantial and respectable representative men,
however harsh the features OF some, however braWny
their hands with labor But certainly nothing could be
more uupreiending, more destitute of pictorial charm
than that small assembly Of persons for the most part
quite unknown 10 previous fame, and half Of whose
names il is not probable that half Of in this assembly
could now repeat
After discussion somewhat prolonged az 1t seemed
at the time especially il had been continued from pre-
vious days, aud after minor amendments OF the
paper toward evening it adopted and ordered 10 be
signed by the President and Secretary and the trans
action was complete Whatever there was of proclama-
ton and bcrngng appears tOhavc come on subsequent
DAYS 1t was full month before the paper signed
by tho members It must have been nearly quitc the
same time before the news of it's adoption had reached
the remoter parts OF the land.
Ifpomp Of circumstances were necessary 70 make NJ
event like this great and memorable, there would have
been others in history more worthy FAR % on
commem0ration. AS matched against mult!tudc' IL
general history It would sink into instant and compc't
insignfcamcc. Yet here to-day, hundred years from
tie eOoption of O. paper in this city which counts
languages by scores. and beats with the tread Of q
mil ion feet a land whose enterprise flies abroad Owe
sea ard land on the rush of engines not then imagine
In time so full OF exciting hopes that it hardly s.
leisure TO contemplate the past we pause from al our
Toll and our ager plans and impetUOT5 debate,
commemorate the event. The whole land paHseS. as
have said and some distinct impression Of II Will folio"
tho sun wherever no climbs the steep OF Heaven until
all countries it has more or less touched tho Thoughts