Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-06-19
The Liberty Bell,

we'll demonstrated during its PROCESS,
this week, from Philadelphia to Bos-
ton, and it's stay in the latter city
where it was the leading feature in
the celebration of the 12Sth anniversary
of the battle of Bunker Hill. Every
object which was closely associated
with the Revolution is looked upon as
sacred thing, but no memorial or
relic in this country was ever paid the
tributes which are given the cracked
old bell which rang out the news of a
nations birth in Independence hall,
Philadelphia. 1t was fitting that it
should take part in a Bunker Hill day
celebration, for it was that famous
fight in Charlestown, the only real bat
tie ever fought on Massa chusetts soil,
which made possible the Declaration of
Independence.
The history of the bell is familiar to
all. 1t was cast in England and i'm
ported to Philadelphia in 1852, and
after ringing it on it's first trial, it
The bell was recast under the direction
of Isaac Norris speaker of the colonial
assembly at Philadelphia, and hung in
independence hall. It's tone was de-
stroyed by the crack, which passes
directly through the names of those
who cast it, and in an effort to restore
the tone, the crack was Widened and
the bell was not improved. Four feet
in diameter at it's upper lip, it is a
massive affair, and has grandeur even
as a bell. Upon the fllcts around it's
crown, cast 90 years before the Cont
mental Congress, are the memorable
words from the Scriptures: proclaim
liberty throughout the land unto all
the inhabitants thereof" This pro-
phetic inscription gave peculiar
significance to it's tones when it was
rung two hours, July d. 1l76, i'll joyful
announcement that the Declaration of
Independence had been signed i'll the
hall below.
For over a century the bell remained
in Philadelphia. an object. of interest
ana reverence to all seeking the his
troic shrines that city. Within the
past few years the custom of taking it
on patriotic pilgrimagcs has been in
augurated, but this is it's first visit to
New England where American indie
pendcnce had it's birth. In 1885 it was
taken to New Orleans, in 1898 to tho
great exposition at Chicago, in 1895 to
Atlanta. Georgia. and in 1902 to the
Charlestown exposition. Thus this was
it's fifth journey out among the people
who love it, and never before was it
received with such demonstrations of
patriotic devotion.
At every stop from Philadelphia to
Boston it got an enthusiastic welcome,
and in most places the school children
were grouped in thousands to greet it.
In its progress through New Jersey,
New York, Connecticut Rhode Island
and Massachusetts. old men, whose
Erandsires fought in the Revolution,
rushed forth from quiet homes to greet
the bell, and i'm their reverential fervor
kissed it with n prayer and blessing
In the college town of New Haven
professors and students fockcd to the
bell as to an ori1amb, and the prcsi-
dent of the United States could not
have been more royalty received. and
b., al hnI
assembled throngs, every head was
barred It's arrival in Boston was no
less royal. 1t was quarted Tuesday in
old Faneuil hall, the cradle Of Amcri-
can liberty, and was the chief feature
of Wednesdays parade. This bell has
had many triumphs in its travels on
state occasions, but never in its his
tory has its tour called forth such an
affectionate reception from a whole
people Those of Revolutionary stock
have not been the only ones to pay
tribute. One Of the most beautiful and
significant incidents of the whole trip
was the act Of little band of Italian
schoI children in Jersey City, who,
probably just acquainted with the
story of the bell, literally covered the
venerated relic with flowers as it
PASSED through their city.
Sometimes no little sarcasm has
been thrown at Philadelphia city
officials for the iunkets in which they
indulge when they go as guardians of
the Liberty bell, but undoubtedly such
journeys as the bell has taken are
splendid things from an educational
and patriotic point of view. Whatever
keeps alive the spirit of rs is to be en-
Outraged, and in these times there is
no danger of too much wholesome
sentiment over the inanimate things
which stand for our national life and
for loyalty to native land.
At farewell banquet in his honor