The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-01-10
LIBERTY BELL DAY
CHARLESTON MAKES 1T A GRAND
OCCASION.
GREAT RECEPTION TO BELL.
A GENERAL HOLIDAY OBSERVED
IN THE CITY.

Thousands Greeted the Bell on ITS
Arrival and Lengthy Military
Procession Escorted u to the
Philadelphia Building in the EN-
position Grounds-PIeasing Adj
dresses Made by Visitors and LO-
cal Orators-schOOI Children sang
"My County 'Tis of Thee" and the
DOxOlogY.
Charleston, S, c., Jan. 9.-Liberty
Bell Day was celebrated with all hon
ors; the city schools and many OF the
stores We're closed and citizens OBJ
served it as a general holiday The
weather was ideal and not since the
opening day has there heen so splendid
an outpouring at the Exposition. The
colonial chimes from the belfry of st.
Michaels pealed merry welcome to the
historic bell from Philadelphia. The
Lafayette Artillery fired a salute of
thirteen guns. The bell with its escort,
Mayor Ashbridge and the common
councils of Philadelphia. arrived at 10
o'clock on the handsomest special train
that has ever come to Charleston.
Thousands crowded the station as the
train rolled in. Among them were hun
dreds of colored people who stood
about the car bearing the bell with
wide open eyes and ears. When the
bell was being removed from the car
to the truck they expected it to ring.
but they were doomed to disappoint-
ment.
The route of the procession lay
through Calhoun. Meeting streets and
Rutledge avenue to the Ivory city. The
Military escort included the First Ar
tillery Band, the garrison on Sullivan's
Island, United States marines from
Camp Haywood, Citadel and Porter
cadets, drum corps. Irish Volunteers,
Washington Light Infantry Sumter
Guards, Hospital Corps, German Fusil-
lers, Truck, German Artillery followed
by the carriage division.
When the parade reached the grounds
the bell had already arrived and as
quickly as possible it was removed to
the Philadelphia building when a sa
lutte of thirteen guns was fired by the
German Artillery.
The formal exercises were held In
the Auditorium, which was crowded to
After prayer by the Rev. Or. A,
Toomer Porter, my Country, 'Tis OF
Thee" was sung by two thousand
school children. and then came an ad-
dress of welcome by Capt. f. w. Wag
ener. president of the Exposition. who
spoke briefly, but most appropriately.
Mayor Smyth of Charleston followed
enthusiastically hailing the presence
of the bell as proof of good will be-
tween these two great commonwealths
-Pennsylvania and South Carolina
and these two cities-Philadelpha and
Charleston"
Mayor Ashbridge Of Philadelphia re-
sponded in like vein and was applauded
to the echo. Other addresses were
made by Hon. J. f. Ficken. Hon.
George McCurdy. president of the Phil
adelphia Common Councils. and Mr.. f..
G. Ravenel, a collateral descendant of
Edward Rutledge, sgneF of the De-
claration of Independence
Mr.. McCurdy's speech was eloquent
and inspiring and was long and loudly
applauded.
The exercises closed with the singing
of The Star Spangled Banner" by The
school children. and address by Hon.
Henry Clay of the Select Council of
Philadelphia and chairman of the Com
mittee on Exhibits in the Philadelphia
building, and Praise God. From Whom
All Blessings Flow" sung by school
children and the audience with grand
organ and military band accompani-
nant