The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1901-07-12
THE IMMORTAL DECLARATION
Had 1t Not Been For FrankIin's Reputa-
tiOn as a Wit He Might Have Been Its
Author Instead of Jefferson.

pendeDce on July 4, 1I16. The debate /
on the document seemed likely to be
drawn out to interminable length. A
livery stable was near the hall where
the discussion was held. On the after
noon of the Fourth the flies came buzz
zing through the open windows and
attacked the thinly protected legs of
the members of congress. Resistance
with handkerchief and fan was in vain,
and finally the dignified body, goaded
to distraction, hurried to a vote on the
question.
If it had not been for Franklin's
as a wit he would probably
have been the author of the Declaration
instead Of Jefferson. He was the man of
greatest reputation on the committee
to draft the document. But
he was such an inevitable joker that it
was feared his levity might crop out
even in the solemn paper. So the ven
cradle philosopher was passed over and
the task was intrusted to the redhaired
youth from Virginia, then only 80 years
Adams explained the choice in this
wise: "Mr. Jefferson came into congress
in June, 1775, and brought with him
reputation for literature, science and
happy talent of composition. Writings
of his were handed about, remarkable
for their peculiar felicity of expression.
Though silent member in congress, be
was so prompt, frank, explicit and
decisive upon committees and in con-
versation, not even Samuel Adams was
more so. that he soon seized upon my
heart, and upon this occasion gave
him my vote, and did all in my power
to procure the votes of others"
Adams and jefferson were appointed
subcommittee to make the draft. Ac-
cOrding to the Massachusetts, man he
insisted that Jefferson do it because he
was a Virginian, popular, and could
write "ten times better" than Adams.
Jefferson spent three weeks drawing up
the document. He did his work on a
little table of his own design that is
still preserved.
The declaration which Jefferson
wrote was a somewhat different paper
from the one finally adopted. 1t con-
tanned this noble utterance on the sub
ject of slavery: she 1.-THE king has
waged cruel war against human nature
itself, violating the most sacred rights
of life and liberty in the persons of a
distant people who never offended him,
captivating and carrying them into
slavery in another hemisphere, or to
incur miserable death in their trans
portatiOn hither. This piraticaI war
fare, the opprobrium of infidel powers,
is the warfare of the christian king of
Great Britain. Determined to keep
open market where men should be
bought and sold, he has prostituted his
negative for suppresSing every legisla-
tive attempt to prohibit or to restrain
this execrable commerce"
This passage was struck out by con-
gress. Adams wrote that it delighted
him, but be knew Jefferson's southern
brethren would never suffer it to pass
in congress-" Jefferson said it was ex-
pUnged'in compliance with the wishes
of South Carolina and Georgia, and be
added: sour northern brethren also,
believe, felt little tender under those
censures; for, though their people had
few slaves themselves, yet they had
been pretty considerable carriers of
them to others"
A number Of minor changes we're
made, chiefly in toning down Jefferson's
rhetoric, which was apt to run away
with him. Thus, in speaking of the
course Of the English people be said:
These facts have given the last stab
TO agonizing affection" The revisions
by congress are conceded to have i'm
proved the general tone Of the dOeu-
ment.
Many of the references in the Decla-
ration are uninteIliglble to the ordinary
reader OF to-day. jefferson. Who was
perhaps the most cOnsumate politician
whom the country has produced, used
his political skill in drawing up the
paper. DeSiASS inc genera tsEt5fh u0Ss
Of the country each colony hsd its own
particular reason for discomfort To
satisfy local pride ne managed TO IN
troduce references to these especial
grievances. For instance, the third
count against the king IN the list is for
refusing sto pass other laws for the
accommodation Of large districts Of
people" This referred to the erection
Of additional counties ont Of newly
settled districts In certain sfztes In