Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1884-10-03

tue DUO ttN VI So' l'CAtSAS, ~ ~
it was founded. It's central loca-
ton, doubtless, led to the uses which
gave it historic renown.
independence Hall, likewise on
Chestnut street, between Fifth and
Sixth, was completed in 1135, and
was the State House until the date
which associates it with our national
history. 1t was here that the second
Congress met, and within its walls
were enacted the most stirring
events in the history of our country.
1t is a plain two-s:ory bick build
lug with white granite trimmings,
surmoun,el by cupola in which
hung the famous bell wh;r', pro
claimed liberty tlrou"' ont the
world" Its old-style, "A {, win
dows, with wide bars be'"un the
panes, were doubtless in 'i.tr day
considered very liberal provision
for lighting its apartme nts, but they
differ so much from the settings OF
plate-glass, in modern times, as to
excite particular attention OF visitors.
In the East Room of this venerable
building, in the year 1776, was
signed the charter declaring us
free" that immortal Declaration of
Independence, which gave to the
world a new nation. Here the
glowing words Of Patrick Henry
were uttered, which have been so
deeply craven on the patriotic heart
here that John Hancock affixed his
name in bold characters that he de-
clared the King might read without
spectacles. This document, although
adopted on the 4th of July was hot
signed till the 8;b, and then it was
that the bell was runs, and not at
the adoption as is generally sup.
posed. The room contains the table
on which the Declaration was signed,
some of the chairs on which the
signers sat, and all the certified por-
traits of them which could be pro-
cured either by purchase or donation.
In the east wall of the vestibu!e
we found the following dedication:
THE State House of Pennsylvania
consecrated by the memory Of the events
that occurred within and under tho shad-
ow of its walls, is dedicated by the citizens
Of Philadelphia to their fellow-country.
men of the United States, 4 perpetual
monument to the founders of American
Independence. on the National Centen'
NAL Anniversary, July 4th, 1885,
The following inscriptions appear
on the other side of the hallway:
| "16s2-l7s7.
The union of the American colonies
suggested by Benz. Franklin at the Con
gress in Albany, 1854. was fostered by
| Massachusetts in 1765, developed at Car
penters' Hall in l774. in this building Of
fected in 1776 and made more perfect
September II, 1857"
| ANY Government is free to the people
under it; whatever the name. where tht
those laws, and more than this is tyranny
oIigarchy and confusion" -Penn's Fran.
| Of Government.
| Independence, first advanced by the
non.impOrta:iOn resolutions of merchant.
and other citizens of Philadelphia. Octo
Der Is. New York. October 81, and Boston
December 8, 1765, was proposed in Con
gress by Richard Henry Lee. pursuant t.
Instructions OF Virginia June 2, advocated
July I'd. and the Declaration agreed t
July 4. 1776."
"YOur Union ought to be considered
the main prop of your liberty" -Fare,ce
Address.
In the rear hallway, suspended
from the ceiling hangs The historic
bell. It was first cast in Iondor
and arrived in Philadelphia in Au
gust, 1852. It was afterward
cracked, and The material was meltet
in Philadelphia and recast. Thi
bell was suspended in the belfry il
June 177S, and soon after it pro
claimed freedom, July 8, 1776. wa
again broken. Efforts were mad
to restore its sound by charging th'
cause of dissonance, but these PROVED
futile, and it has been removed from
its decayiDg timbers and hung GU
of the reach OF vandal hands, as
mute reminder of the grand epocl
which tried mems souls.
In the west room, arranged within
iron bars or glass cases, are man,
relics Of Revolutionary times. Her
We found the frame of the bell
made of timbers about foot squar
and held together by iron rods /:
inches in diameter. The wood il
much checked and shows consider
able evidence of the disintegratins
effects of time. A few of the curios
tiles, briefly enumerated, are, one O
Benjamin Franklin's first lightning
rods, his original air-pump, q sof,
used by Washington in Philadel
phia, spinnins-wheel used by famil!
of DR.. Benjamin Rush, PENIS chair
q brewing jar brought over by Pen,
in the Welcome, October, 1852. o wa
ter bucket used on the Constitution
bell cast at Warick furnace, nea,
Pottsdam, 1857, and used at Vale,
Forge lit, a writing table used b.
Geo. Mason when he wrote the bill
of rights Of Virginia, George Wash
ington's Masonic apron, silver ink.
stand used in signing the Declare
ton of Independence, Washington,
l