The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-08-02
THE OLD LIBERTY BELL
viii Pass Through Houston on Its
Way TO Charleston.
An EVENT FRAudHT WITH PATRIOTISM
Date Of Its Arrival Not Yet Fixed--lt
Win Make Triunptal Tour
Of the State.

Hon. j. c. Crisp Of Beevilie, Texas. one
az the delegates to the Southern Industrial
convention at Philadelphia was member
Of the committees ON resolutions. and when
it was proposed to carry the old Liberty
Bell to the Charleston exposition this fall,
Mr. Crisp introduced resolution, when
was unanimously adopted. that the bell
be taken through Texas on Its journey
from Philadelphia to Charleston.
Prof. Attwater Of the Southern Pacific
Industrial exhibit in Houston, who was
also delegate 70 the convention, recently
received the following letter FROM the
custodian OF the Liberty Bell, Mr.. Charles
w. Alexander. secretary or the Bi-Centen-
nal association Of the commonwealth of
Ii. p. Attwater, Esq, Houston, Texas.
Philadelphia July %, 1901. Dear SIR
was very sorry ! was unable to see yon
times 20 the hotel AS / explained to your
self, MIR. Crisp and other delegates, the
journey OF the Old Liberty Bel 70 Charles
should be made by as long . route as pos
sible, Ton there are hundreds Of thousands
OF the Southern people who VIII not be
able 10 90 to the exposition, yet who would
consider 1t the greatest event Of their
lives to see that bell, as sacred right,
who helped, with their blood and bravery,
TO make IL what II Is 10 all Of us todAyS
WIFE you-and ! feel as practical rail
Itinerary for the hell's route, SO as to take
In the greatest number OF places In Texas,
ancluding night as well rs day. where torch
aight receptions would be In order. giving
the time required from place to place, name
of railroad, etc: In fact, any details you
think of value In the matter.
/ have written Governor Sayers, suggest
Gag a proclamation; also that he, With his
etaff, receive the bell train where ID en-
tiers Texas, there attach the flag OF Texas
to the car and escort the train In person
OF by representative, through the state aud
deliver II to the governor Of the next State
upon its exit from Texas
| wish to see this event Of the bells
tourney made the greatest OF the century.
! am sure you feel the same way. Let us
ali labor TO that end, and both South and
North Will be co-reapers Of a plentiful har-
vest OF patriotism aud practical progress.
please let me hear as promptly as possible
Charles w Alexander.
To this letter Prof. Attwater responded
es follows;
Charles w. Alexander ESD, Philadelphia.
Houston Texas. July oa-Dcar Sir. Your
esteemed favor Of July % came 10 hand.
In reply VIII SAY that | am glad to see
IN EEewSRapers Of recent date rhat Hon.
eEted himself and offers to give this mat
ter Of The liberty Bell nasslng through
Texas his personal attention. Mr.. Higgins
whom You no Doubt remember rs one o.
abe delegates 70 the Southern Industrial
convention IN your city, is prominent
sId,rahle exnerience In sueeesselliS pro.
noting affairs Of this kind ia the pNst
AN 4ritlneh TO hink thai ne has taken
this matter up. feeling sure that he will
cerned.
letter, hut calling his attention 10 your
reqtest In which you ask me to make out
an itinerary for the bell route At the
same ttui0 sNsuring him TINT I will bC
pleasedto assist him in any possible MN
ner by making suggestions N regard e
the route or otherwise. With the assuranc,
good wish for q triumphant Journey FOR iii,
grand old bell through the Lone Star State
H. r. Attwater.
This WIN not he the first time that en-
old cracked Liberty Bell has made a trIl
South. It was taken 10 the worlds cottor
exposition at New Orleans in 1884. Prob
ably the most touching incident OF tha
"trip was at .Reauyoir, the homo OF Jef
Eerson Davis. The train had been run on
a siding there and the ex-Confederate prcsi
dent came down, leading his llttle grand
neughter by the hand, to see the old bcfr
whose clarion voice had rung In tho lirti
of this great nation. Upon reaching III,
station MIR. Davis stepped upon the car
and with reyerental motion removing MI
nat stood IN sllence for fnIi minute
earnestly looking 81 the bell. Then turn
Il,
nrom his lips ferventlY eloquent Address
titled with glowing patriotism aud hone 10
pur now reunited country. AT the close q
teis speach he imnuslvely caught mn h,
little grandchlld aud lifted her close no M
Dell that she might kiss It. The spectato,-
were completely carried away with on
fhnsssm by his spontaneous words an,
act, and repeated rounds Of cheers won
snp. A distinguished gentleman present re
marked; We'll, well, sir. this Old Tihert,
BeH has done what all the combined armie
81 Grant failed TO do; 1t nag conqnere,
~
In conversation with a Post reporter ves
Nerday Prof Attwater stated that he wa
Dust in receipt OF letter from MAYO
liiggins. who is enthusiastic on the subiee
Of the bell coming to Texas. In which h
states that he has written for fnrfhsr NJ
Hiculars ito Mr. Alexander and thet il
wlll visit Houston shortly TO confer wit
Arof. Attwater on the matter OF the rontt
A'rof. Attwater further stated that he fel
sure that Mr. higgins would anpreciot
any suggestions that might be offered ffer
amy VINO may be Interested IN this maftc,
end that II the excursion OF the hell ea
ne satisfactorily arranged II viii be a
Event long to be remembered.