The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1901-07-02

WHEN PATRIOTS REJOICE
} Something About the {
I Fourth and Its
History.
History.
INSTRUMENTATION

1t is only 125 years since the Fourth
was established, and the most wonder
full era in the history of the world
dawned in America, when the old Lib
erty bell rang out the glad tidings to
the people of a di%senthralled land, and
the Declaration was made which spoke
to the world Of posterity in thunder
tones:
"We hold these truths to be self evil
dent: That all men are created equal;
that they are endowed by their Crea-
tor with certain unalienable rights,
among which are life, liberty and the
pursuit of happiness"
The new Liberty bell is essentially
an American product, says the Detroit
Free Press, but the old bell was cast in
London, and the order for it was sent a
year before it was received in this
country. At last it came in 1852, and
before it was landed from the ship that
brought it hundreds of people went to
inspect it and rejoiced in it's coming. 1t
was all that had been expected, but an
accident ruined it's clear tone and mutt
lated 1T so badly that it had to be re-
cast. Isaac Norris, Esq, speaker of the
colonial assembly, was given the super
intendence of the task, and to him is
ascribed the honor of having originally
suggested the motto, proclaim liberty
throughout the land and to all the in
habitants thereof"
The reason of the breaking Of the first
bell was that it was too brittle, and
it's tone was too high and shrill. But the
new bell was considered perfect, and,
mounted on its pedestal in the old state
house at Philadelphia, it rang in the
birth of freedom on July 4, 1T76, and it's
reverberation still echoes in the hearts
Of Americans everywhere.
The old statehouse bell, time hallowed bell,
Thy magic tones were first to tell
In thunder peals a nation free!
For so years the bell Of freedom kept
the national jubilee. Then it cracked
and became silent. During the worlds
fair it was conveyed, a mute object of
patriotic alteration, from Philadelphia
to Chicago, and there exhibited. No dis
tinguished traveller was ever escorted
with more care and watchfulness or re-
ceiyed more homage from the patriotic
people who everywhere greeted it's COM
ing.
In the New England states the
Fourth Of July is celebrated with great
est ardor. Cannon are. fired at sunrise,
and the ringing of bells, the swapping
and cracking Of ~irecrackers and the
shouts of the Juveniles make a noise
that is deafening, but welcome. Later
in the day there is a meeting Of the
military, and the bearing of flags and
beating Of drums add to the glory Of
the spectacle. Picnics are attended at
rural groves, orations are made by
speakers selected for the occasion, and
the nations birthday is celebrated by
a fitting demonstration of enthusiasm,
skyrockets and illumination ending the
sport.
The manufacture of fireworks for the
Fourth Of July is one of the industries
of the country. The Roman candles, set
pieces, kissing skyrockets which turn
into many colored serpents, stars, flow
ers, prismatic fountains, comets with
long tails of variegated %colors, the "dev-
il among the tailors" and a hundred
other fantastic sorts are made in Amer
lea. The factories for the manufacture
of fireworks are seldom located in cities
on account of the dangerous explosives
employed. but in some quiet spot where
q little village OF so or more cottages
surrounds the factory, all being inclosed
by a high board fence, upon which the
placard mo Admittance" is conspicu.
ously painted. Women and girls are
employed in the less dangerous work OF
preparing the cases, while men and
boys work with the %combustible filling