The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-06-18
PATRICK HENRY'S GRAFTON.

Tin. following account of the proceed |
ip.,- nf the Convention that adopted the
Declaration of independence Is taken
fr,ai the BOSTON journals Of l776:
II j. the old hall Of Philadelphia, on
fl.. 4lh. lII6. There is a silence in tins
hall every face is stamped with deep
ar,d awful responsibility
W4v urn every glance to that door?
Why Is it so terribly still?
The committee of three. who have
been out all night planning parch-
maut are about to appear. That parch-
mont. with the signatures of these men,
written with the pen lying on yonder
table. NAV either make the world free,
or stretch these necks upon the gIbbet
vnn.!cr in Potter's field, or nail these
heads TO the door post OF these halls.
That MIS- the time for solemn faces and
deep silence.
A. last, hark? The door opens, the
committee appear. Who are these men
who come walking on to John Han
cock chair?
The tail man, with sharp features,
the bod brow and Sand-hued hair, hold
In, the parchment in his hand, Is the
V,rginia farmer, Thomas Jefferson That
sfo.tt -Luilt man, with Fesolutc look ana
sn1rgEr0 eve-that is Boston man.
one John Adams And the calm-faced
man with hair dropping in thick curls
10 bi. shoulders; that dressed in i PLAIN
r,lf and such odiOus home made blue
,la,binrS-that is the Philadelphia prln
Ter. one benjamin Franklin.
I'm, three advance to the table. he
uqr,am-nt Is laid there. Shall 1t be
signed or not n
Tbru ensues high debate; then all
the faint hearted cringe in corners, whlie
Tbo,. Jefferson speaks oat his few ooid
words. and John Adams pours out MS
whole soul.
The soft-toned voice of Charles Car.
roll !, heard undulating in syllables OF
deep music.
But still there is doubt, and that pale
faced man, shrinking in one corner
squeaks out something about axes, seal
l6iS and a-gibbet.
~Gibbetr" echoed fierce, bold tone,
that startle men from their seats and
look wonder! A tall, slender form rises
dressed although it is summer time, IN .
faded red cloak. Look how his white
hand trrmbles, rs it is stretched slowly
out. how that dark eye burns, while his
word, ring through the hall.
"Gibbetr' They may stretch our necK'
on all the gibbets in the land; they may
turn every rock into a scatiold, ever.
tree into gallows, every home INTO
grave and vet the words of that parch
meut can never die
They NAV pour our blood ON thous
and scaffalds. and vet from every drol
that dyes the axe, or drops the saw
dust of the block, new martyr to Iree
dom will spring into birth!
The British king may bot out IN
stars of God from His sky, but he can
not blot cut His words written on tn
parchment there. The work of Go'
may perish; His word, neyerl
These words will go forth to the worl
when our homes are dust. 10 the siav
in bondage, they viii speak hope; I
the mechanic in his workshop, freedom
to the coward kings these words WI
speak, but notiE tones of fattery. The
will speak like the flaming syllables O
Belshazzar's wall: The days Of you
pride and glory are numbered ! II
Yes. that parchment will speak /
kings in language sad and terrible rs u
trumpet of the Arehangel. lou has
trampled on the rights OF mankind Ion
enough. At last, the voice OF huns
woe has pierced the ear Of God, an
called his Judgment down You, ha'
waded on 10 thrones through SEA- !
blood; you have trampled on to pose
over the necks of millions; you ha'
turned the poor mans sweat and bio
into robes for your delicate forms; in
crowns for your anneinted brows. Nc
Kingsi Now, purpled hangmen Of {
worldl For yoa comes the day Of Ak
and gibbets, and scadolds; for y0n {
wrath of man; for You the lightnings
God
Look How the light Of your Ralat
on FIRE flashes up into the midnight sk
Now, purpled hangmen Of the Wor
turn aud beg for mercy Where =
you find it Not from God. for =
have biasphemed His laws! Not Fl
the people, for you stand baptized
their blood Here you turn, and lo1
gibbet There. and 4 seaf0ld stares
the facet All around yon-death-l ]
nowhere pity Nov, executiapers
the human race, kneel down. yes, kn
floWa on the sawdust Of the scaiIo
lay ynnr perfumed heads upon the blo'
bless the axe IS il laI|s~1he axe s1a
ened for the poor mans neck.
Such IS the message eI the ceclz
I0n9l man 70 the kings 81 fHe re'
and shall We Ia|tof noN And s.
We zteft back appalled, when 1rI !
pless The very lhIssht'd 81 Efteaa
- ron So Qa4i|ins faces around +
Nnea on H'|t haze to t7|t4t.
.ea The sfEI6s|111. $ o0z
viii 1 1e 81 H 0|'1 :
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