Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1891-07-03
INDEPaHDENCE DAY
Something About the Mon who
Signed the Declaration

"'''''' 'f' "'''f ~ ~ itAHNi'NN hf'ftrf'l ~
thc attitude of England toward h,r
colonies "a Im'ticn ,ouii calml,
~oigh each word ol that great paper a.
originally presented. -o adopt the
alter ~ omit that Net. a. - uiicu
happens IN human affair. even that
Hateful meeting whs not without u,
lulicruu- side.
Mf Jefferson "a his old ag, ~,
loud Of telling how a vote wa- rra,h,
and th" signatures secured un H..
Declaration at 40 early ia, ~ IA,
Fourth oi July. l77G. notwithstanding
thU opposition 81 Dickinson and other
members, Who II VA. feared wuul,
keep the matter "a debate fur weak
II not for months.
u seems that the weather VI,
irightiully hot. thc hall small and
crowded. To sit with closed window.
vas impossible to open them was a.
admit swarms ui ra,cnous flie. from a
livery stable newt door. which lie.
slighting on the silk stockingcd shin,
of the honorable gentlemen dro,,
them almost Ia distraction. The
necdiul business was hy ~ mean.
sighted but the feeling among all
the members of getting away from ~,
heat and from the torment ui tho.,
dreadful nics was ton strong tn permit
of u moments unnecessary delay.
All felt the gravity Of such an occs
sion. The signing oi such n paper
was treason; the appeal to arms o
those poor. weak and widely scattcrc,
COLONIES. with little cohesion, and al
mere or less infested by men who pre-
ferrcd Ia accept any terms from Eng
land rather than break the connection
with the mother country; an appea
To arms against the most powerful
nation In the world. was not a thin,
To be- lightly done. Even Franklin
celebrated jest was a grim one. Al
had been settled. and the signing q
the paper Was about to begin wheI
some gravcly remarked. We'll, W
must hang together. now" "Yes,
replied the laughing philosopher. 81
we do not W. shall very certainly nj
hang separately"
The picture as drawn by jefferson
OF the close oi the Congress IL certain
ly very amusing. la those days mel
were much more formal with othc
men than are we of to-day To attcn,
such a meeting as was the American
Congress the gentlcman's valet combe,
aud drew back the long hair. tied |
with q how Of ribbon 10 match IA,
coat to be worn. aud covered II thickll
with periumed powder; then hcipc,
to put on his masters coat of silk %
satin, often of brilliant hue, and near
w always more or less embrOi lcr Ell
buckled on the always worn rapier
handed him his laced hat and callc,
his coach. The low shoes ornamente,
with buckles. the sllkcn hose. th'
satin brceches fastened at the knc,
with ornaments, generally like thos'
upon the shoes. oi gold the shirt an,
neckcloth Of lawn proiuscly decorate,
with costly iaccs. aud the long satin
waistcoat cleaning with gold had been
donncd before, and the gentleman o
those rude and simple" days wat
ready 90 take his scat.
With all their fine garments and al
their fine manners even that hand ol
heroes was composed oi men. The,
were willing to give their lives foi
their country, but the livery stable
flies were too much Tor them. The,
waved their embroidered hsndker
chiefs, they stamped. some even going
80 far as to assert they sworc "s'liic
This IL not Ia be borne" The powder
Few. the kcrchicis waved. the file,
bussed like bees Ia swatming time
jefferson lost his temper over III,
prolonged debate and the striking oul
oi his most cherished periods, Frank
lin alone remained calm. and when III,
author of the Declaration would hav,
intcriered. brought him to u laughing
mood by his story u John Thompson
halter.
Thompson, said Franklin. helms
about 90 move into much larger and
finer shop. had new sign painted
that glowcd with gold, brilliant pig
mcnts and lustrous ysrnish. tpor
this sign there appeared besides ,h'
picture of hat, the inscription, " John
Thompson makes aud sells hats an,
caps for cash" So proud was Thomp
son of his sign that he asked in th'
neighbors Ia view his new glories
Very pretty" said one. hut yo'
don't make hats for cash" Wha
do your customers care whether yo'
make them or not. sn long as th'
good. suit their taste "Gct YOU
people in frs, and tempt them don
driye them of with notice of payin
cash down" said third. 80 Il wen
on, and as Thompson agreed with 'l'
critics, all that Was left On the sig
when u at length was placed abo'
the door was Thompson aud ia
t,t,,. tire .4i Al4e Hat
The changes in both costume an
manners tha, took place during tl
next quarter of n contury--that - To-
,..... lT-e ...I l ant uara ranafl