Marietta daily leader. (Marietta, Ohio) 1895-1906, 1900-07-04

process OF evolution, develops into a thing of
strength and beauty. The United States
does violence to this accepted theory, based
upon the teachings of history. This country
shows no stages OF progression. As Minerva
Is said to have sprung full-armed from the
brow OF Joye, thirteen small struggling 10y.
al, devoted colonies OF Great Britain, Quick
asa lightning fash, became nation and took
its place as such among the independent
sovereignties OF earth.
This was brought about by the rhetorical
genius Of a single man, supplemented, to be
sure, with a general supporting sentiment
that the time was come for the ripening of
. new fruit upon the tree of nations. Three
OF the brightest masters Of English in the
colonial congress were chosen as a commit
tee to draft a declaration which should er.
press the feeling Of congress and of the peo-
pie towards the mother country. Jefferson,
youngest OF the three, adroit prestidigitator
OF words, did his work 80 masterfulIy that
his associates kept their drafts from sight
and accepted the Declaration of Indepen.
dence offered by the youthful Virginian.
1t 10 this Declaration which the Fourth of
July is designed to commemorate The doc.
ument contains not one doubtful sentiment.
Its English, while sonorous and rhythmic,
- nAaHhby WIN hhc bthcuBlH Vi ptIbDltultE.
He who runs may read and understand, The
one superruling sentiment is that the op.
pressed colonists we're, and of right should
be, independent and separate people.
A time abrades the mountains. smooth.
ing their rougher parts, so time tends to
smooth and lessen the difficulties Of former
heroes who labored to accomplish great re.
sults. Nothing could appear easier than
that congress Of delegates should name a
committee to draft resolutions, and what
more natural than that body should In
dorss unanimously the acts of its servant?
Legislative bodies, from the beginning of
lawmaking assemblages, have ever been free
In adopting all manner of resolutions, many
OF which reflected no credit upon themselves
and did harm to those against whom they
were directed.
Yet It Is not possible TO overestimats the
supreme daring Of the members Of that con.
tinsntai congress which named that com.
mittse, and which, later, adopted its report
England was easily first Of the nations; the
colonies but handful of people without .r-
perience Ia war and wanting the means TO
prosecute one. There had been few en-.
sgements-battles, II one please to so dignity
thsnal-in which American victories were
somewhat problematieal. The adoption Of
the Declaration was an act Of treason. as the
mother country Interpreted II, and the dele
gates to the congress so understood II.
When one member said to Franklin: I'VE
nust all hang together" meaning that every
member should sign the document, that sage
replied wittilw; "Yes, or separately"
Still, there was no fAltering or paltering
II give my hand and my heart to this vote,b
said the noble John Adams, and so saying
body Of patriots gathered In Indspendsncs
ball.
One week later, on a spot II ground jgft In
front Of the present city ball In New Ypak
clty. Qsqrzs Wssbington caused the Dso-