The National tribune., 1897-08-12

had he listened to his wife, Abigail Adams,
who was more outspoken than he, the honor
of introducing the resolution lnto the Contl-
mental Congress to this effect would nave pe-
longed to him.
Mrs. Adams had declined to attend the serv-
ices of fast day, appointed by the churches
throughout the colonies, to pray for peace, anu
instead of this stayed at home to write to her
husband then in Congress. TO take the step
proposed But Adams waited and Richard
Henry Lee introduced the resolution into
Congress, June, 1916: "Resolped, That these
united colonies are and by right ought TO De-
free and independent States" John Adams
seconded the resolution, and was appointed
one of five members to draw up declaration
embodying the resolution.
THE LIBERTY BELL.
The most striki ing and picturesque emblem
of the Revolutionary days-not excepting the
Declaration of Independence itself, with the
names of the original sgners on enduring
parchment, headed by the bold. handsome
signature of John Hancock, President OF the
Continental Cougress-is the old Liberty Bell,
preserved in Independence Hall. Philadelphia,
which was the Capital of the United States al
the time the Declaration passed.
This bell bears the inscription, proclaim
liberty throughout all the land, unto all the
inhabitants thereof" and was placed in lnde-
pend-nce Hall by the Colony of Pennsylvania
in 1852. Inasmuch rs it was cast III Great
Brii ain nearly quarter of century before
the American Colonies declared their inde-
pcndence from Great Britain. the Liberty Bell
is not only witness, but prophet of Ameri-
+ can independence.
One can imagine the excitement of the
crowd which surrounded the old lndepend-
ence Hall, Philadelphia, when the Declaration
of independence was under discussion. The
old belman had been in the steeple from the
time Congress had opened the morning of July
a. 1776. waiting to ring out the glad tidlngs
that independence had been declared, and it
was now o'clock in the afternoon aud a de-
csion had not yet been reached.
He had stationed hoy at the door below to
give him an immediate signal when the great
deed should be accomplished, and when no
news came. as hour succeeded hour, he shook
his gray head and said: They will never do
it: they will never do it."
Suddenly a mighty tumult arose among the
crowd from below. SO loud that the old bellman
could scarcely hear, for the joyous shouts and
acclaims. TIE signal of the boy, he clapped
his hands and cried. Ring! Ring." Back
and forth the sexton rang the bell, proclaim
ing liberty not only 10 this land but to all the
lands that have caught the reverberations still
going on and which will go on forever.
Tie old Liberty Bell has made several tri-
umpbal marches through the country, notably
10 the w orld congress AZ SHiCaso' anu siHCo
10 the South. Some think the crack in it dates
back to the Revolution, but this was made in
1885, when Chief Justice Marshall died and it
was toled for him.
Some years sgo there was founded the Lib
erty Bell Association, with Headquarters in
Philadelphia. charged with the duty of extend
ing the principles of civil and religious liberty
to the remo.est ends of the earth, giving pres
ent strength and support to every land and
people suffering unGer the same expressions
that harassed and hampered the peace and
progress of American colonists. The Liberty
Bell is their emblem.