The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1877-07-14
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN :

preface it by an apology for the speak.
er's lack Of information and ability, and
an appeal for the indulgence Of his
hearers. For myself, while l am well
convinced Of my own demcrits, | in.
tend to disregard this old usage, and
do my best endeavOr to please and in
form you, and to render faithful tribute
to tho glorious men whose noble deeds
We are assembled here to-day to honor.
The merits Of my subject must be the
cover of my faults-if faults there may
be in what | am about to say to you.
We come here, actuated by that
spirit Of patriotism which will never
cease to exist in the hearts Of true
Americans. to celebrate the natal day
Of American liberty. Tho causes
which impellcd the fathers of a gov
crnnlcnt Of the people. for the people
and by the people, TO dissolve all politicol
connection with the wothcr countr ), ,
have been familiar us household wofds
to Americans, since the 4th Of July,
1776; and have again been aunor. uc0d
to you in that glorious document which
has just been read iu your hc,lring-
tho Declaration Of Independence.
On the 7th Of June, 1TI7G. the Con.
siucutal Congress was in session in tho
city Of Philadelphia. Despair seemed
TO havc settled upon tho people. Re-
verses to tho patriot armies, aud the
scOurgc Of want and misery. had fallen
almost as pail upon tho hearts Of the
brave. The soldiers needed something
more than mere bread and bullets to
sustain their efforts. A high moral
declaration Of tAc purposes and princi-
pies Of the Confederation was lacking;
aud at the tignt moment (and who shall
say that Providence did not guide the
mind Of tho moverD Richard Henry
Leo, Of Virginia, offered resolution
IN Congress declaring that "tho Uni
led Cf.louIcs are, and OF right ought to
bc. free and independent States that
they arc absolvcd from all allegiance
" the British Crown; and that all po.
litical connection between them aud
Great Britian is, and ought to bc dis
solved" A long and exciting debate
cusued. The sentiment Of iudcpeu-
dencc gained ground; but there was
still strong opposition to tho movement.
Alter somc days the fiual consideration
Of Lees resolution was postponed until
tho first Of July but gu tho llth OF
June 4 committee was appointed to
prepare more elaborate ind formal
declaration. Mr.. Lee had been called
humC by sickness; aud lis colleague
Thomas Jefferson, was made chairman
VI tue Committee. The other members
were: John Adams, of Massachusetts,,
Benjamin Franklin, Of Pennsylvania,
Roger Sherman, Of Connecticut aud
Robert Livingston, Of New York. The
special wvrk Of preparing the paper
was allotted to Jefferson and Adams
aud tho greut document was presented
to the committee in the handwriting Of
Yirgiuia's sage Of Monticello. On the
lst Of July, Lees resolution was taken
up, and at the same time tho commit
tees report was laid before Congress.
On the next day the original resolution
was adopted; during tho 3rd, the for
NAL declaration was debated with great
spirit, and it became evident that tho
work of the committee would be accept
cd. Tho discussion was resumed on
tho morning Of tho 4th, and at .
o'clock ou the evening Of that memoir
ablc day, tho Declaration Of American
Independence was adopted by unapi-
nous vote.
IAN day long," says the historian, L,
"the old bell-man in tho State House
had stood in tho stccple ready to sound
the note Of freedom to tho city aud the
nation. The hours wen. by. The
grey. haired veteran in tho bclfry grew
discouraged, and began to say, They
will never do it-thcy will never do
it'-but just then, the lad who had
been stationed below ran out and OK.
claimed at the top Of his voice, RinJ!
Rlxa ! and tho aged patriot did ring,
as ho had never rang before The
multitudcs that tlrongcd tho streets
caught tho signal aud answered with
shouts Of cxultatiou. Swift couriCrs
bOrU tho news throughout tho lard