The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1882-07-04
THE FOURTH OF July,
The Scencs and CircumstnnccsA Attending
the Declaration OF Independence.

DY EUGENE LAWRENCE. -, z,.4
On the sth Of July ITO, ut Philadelphia,
n procession OF intelligent Americans pass.
ed out Of the venerable State-lIouse, and
ascending platform at the front on Wal.
nut street, prepared to- commit an act Of
treason against King George, Of daring
s,lf.devotion to the interests oil mankind.
They had not only declared themselves
free and independent but they were resolved
to read publicly their declaration to their
countrymen and the world. Since Luther
had nailed his theses TO the church at Wit.
tenberg, no such important paper had
been written by human pen or delivered
BY. human lips. 1t was to be the signal to
the people to rise from their bondage in
Europe and America. We who can survey
the political and moral support OF hun.
bred years-sincc franklin, Adams, JET.
ferson and their associates proclaimed
themselves rebels at Philsielphia-may
distinctly trace the wonderful results
OF their rare courage their great
ness. To them the future was
covered with doubt md gloom. Yet
it is seldom that men who do great deeds
are wholly without consciousness of the
good that must follow from them. The
calm franklin felt that the New World was
prepared for freedom; the ardent Adams
glowed with the thought that future gener-
ations would celebrate the day with bon
fires and glad congratulations. They could
only family see as yet the beginning OF 4
new era: perhaps it might early close in
disaster and public ruin. The war was
already upon them. The. immense mil.
itary power OF England was direct
ed against the colonies. The vast
fleets OF Howe and the great army OF inva-
sion had gathered in New York IIarbor.
all the powers OF action were in league to
crush the voice OF struggling truth, ana the
declaration OF human rights so boldly pub
lished Mt Philadelphia might soon be trod-
den under foot by the mercenary soldiers
OF the king.
The day was fine, the sun shone bright
ly. An immense throng OF people had
gathered around the State House to listen
10 the language oil freedom. All was ioy
and hope. There was no trace OF fear in
all the great multitude, but an assuraace
OF final triumph. At twelve o'clock the
city officials, the Congressman, the sheriff
and the reader were at their posts. John
Nixon, who had been selected on account
of his sonorous voice to read for the first
time the Declaration to the people, led the
procession OF the Representatives as they
filed from their chamber to the public ros-
trum. Franklin came next, Utmost the
founder OF the new nation. lie was now
seventy years old, his frame still vigorous,
his intellect, like Pato's, growing calmer
and clearer with time. The next ten wears
OF his life were 10 be the most important
OF all. He had snatched the lightning
from the heavens; he was now to wrcst the
scepter from the hands OF tyrants.
Franklin's venerable face and form on
this memorable occasion, rs he modestly
walked 10 the platform, must have con-
WINGED the people that philosophy and dis
erection were now satisfied that there was no
hope Of freedom but in resistance. He had
pledged his liberty and life for his country.
Next came the impulsive orator, John
Adams, to whose effective eloquence on
the I'd Of July is ascribed the final passage
OF the act OF independence. He was thirty
years younger than franklin, in the full
strength Of his powers. Eager, ardent,
ambitious, studious, the cultivated school
master OF Worcester had now become one
OF the worlds benefactors. Beside him,
and still younger-he was only thirty
three-the tall, thin form OF Thomas Jeffer.
son might be seen, the author OF the
admirable appeal. The keenest, subtlest
intellect Of . his time, Jefferson had
embraced the principles OF Democracy
with ardor, and labored to discover and
beai,the woes OF the people. Samuel Adams
followed, the pure Democrat, who believed
more than Jefferson taught. whose life OF
seli.devotion proved the value OF freedom.
To him John Adams was accustomed to
ascribe the decisive blow that divided the
New World from the Old. He determined
the future late OF generations OF men. Han.
cock vas with them, the polished, graceful
merchant, wealthy, singularly aspiring,
who bore Washington's rise TO the chiei
command OF the army with some impa.
thence, but whose courageous hand signed,
as President OF Congress, the first copy Of
the Declaration alone. NJ.
Then Charles Carroll appeared, who
afterward at the signing, when some one
said there were several OF his name, fixed
upon himself the glory and danger OF the
act, and wrote, "of Carrollton.n Hopkinson
comic poet and political writer; Robert
Morris, the financier whose loans and credi,
saved the army in its moment OF extreme
restitution; Mexican, the learned delegate
from Delaware; Samuel Chase, the WORTHY
associate OF Carroll, from Maryland; and
Edward Rutledge, the brilliant PATROL
from South Carolina, complete our pic.
ture. These were n few only OF that
rare amt memorable body OF men
| who signed the Declaration. They
were OF varied qualities, OF almos,
equal excellence. Jefferson, austere and
philosophic, represented the extreme
ssehool OF the thought OF the day-he EN-
bodied il in his famous composition
Charles Carroll, cultivated in NIL the grace.
OF Partisan society, Roman CATHOLIC, edu
Gated in France; the polished Hancock
Rutledge, Chase, threw over the assembl,
something OF the formal manner of thu
ancient regime. The stern severity O
ssnpe! Adams showed what Republican
ism must be. Wiser and truer men meyer
lived than these representatives OF Amer
ica. But as yet the traitor's doom hun,
over them the executiopers were assembled
in New York Ray. 5i
I Melintiye and composed, they showet
no iear. . It Is said that Siron's sonoroul
voice filed all the great assembly, that i
was heard distinctly on the opposite side o
the street, that not an accent faltered nor
word was lost For the first time the re
variable paper, that for more than hun
dred years has been sounding in the ears o
OF men, was detained at Philadelphia; i
bad all the attractions Of novelty, all ID.
forge Of deep conviction. Happy the mel
who heard Tor the first time its germ? o
wisdom! happy those who could 4 not hal
( lis perilous truths! "Ne believe eIclalm
ed the first confessors and martyrs, stha
y all men are T. born free and equal