Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1903-07-02
THREE Ex-PREslDENTs DIED ON
THAT DAY.
ANNIVERSARY OF BATTLES
First Tariff Bill Was Fought on the
Day-The Massacre of Wyoming
Valley Occurred Then, also the
Amnesty Proclamation of 1868
Treaties Signed.

DECLARATION OIL independence 10 IAS
fourth of July entitled to the atten-
ton of patriotic citizens.
Other events of national Importance
are indissolubly connected with the
day, so that, partly by intent and
partly by pure accident, the fourth of
July. aside from its prestige as the ma
tons birthday, has become one of the
most distinguished days in the
chronology of our country.
The first tariff bill that the United
States ever had was signed by Presi-
dent George Washington on the fourth
of July, 1889. This measure, which
was the first important legislation of
the congress of the new nation was
then regarded as eminently patriotic,
with the selection of the anniversary
Of the declaration of independence as
the day for its official promulgation.
At that time the national congress
was sitting in session In New York
city. and early in April James Madl
son, Jr., of Virginia, member of the
house of representatives, made the
proposition to meet the pressing
financial necessities of the country by
a system of impost and tonnage duties
The subject engaged the attention of
the house until late into May, when
the bill was passed that with slight
amendments was subsequently con-
Cured in by the senate and signed by
the president. So our tariff system
as well as our independence began on
the fourth of July.
Mr.. Madison, the father OF the
measure, condensed into % lines, with
eight or nine words each, the es-
sential principles that governed inn
post and tonnage legislation for many
years to come Specific duties the
rule ad valorem duties the exception,
revenue the object, moderate duties,
the burden of taxation upon Injuries
these were the characteristics of the
measure as proposed and as finally
adopted. The ad valorem duties ran
from to Is per cent, the latter figure
being fixed for pleasure carriages.
Specific duties were also very mod
crate. The law was limited to expire
in June, 1896.
The Wyoming Massacres.
Thomas Campbell has celebrated In
Gertrude of Wyoming one Of the most
tragic and most pitiful events In our
country's early history. The poem,
as all know. is in Campbell's most
charming style The poet sings:
Delightful Wyoming! Beneath thy
skies
The happy shepherd SWANS have
naught to do
But feed their flocks on green declivi-
ties
Or skim perchance thy lake with light
canoe
From morn till evenings sweeter pas.
time grew,
With timbrel, when beneath the forest
brown
Thy lovely maidens would the dance
renew,
And, aye those sunny mountains half
way down
Would echo flageolet from some ro
mantle clown.
The Wyoming valley on the Susque
hanna river was as beautiful a
spot 100 and more years ago as it is
now Possession of the territory was
in dispute between Connecticut and
Pennsylvania, and strife between con-
tending claimants was frequent The
Tories were turned out, and then,
under command of Colonel John But
Ter. they allied themselves to the
neighboring Indians and returned with
a force of LOO men, 900 Of whom were
savages, Colonel Zebulon Butler com
manded the settlers. but he and his
little army were enticed out of their
fort on the plea OF parley and, hay
ing been led into ambuscade, were
slaughtered almost to a man. The
fort was then attacked and forced to
surrender and many of its defenders
were massacred. 1t Is said that Queen
Esther. half breed Indian woman,
tomahawked with her own hand IA
persons to satisfy her revenge for the
killing Of a fayorite son. And when
this dread fourth OF July ended il
looked upon devasted valley, ruined
homes and mutilated corpses, while
little band of survivors-25 or 80 men
and 200 women-were driven out into
the trackless wilderness to find a way
as best they might to friendly settle
ment, long journey that was only
accomplished after much suffering
Washington Monument.
When the cornerstone OF the Wash.
ington manument at Washington was
laid. July 4, 1s4s, there was a bril-.
liant assemblage. Among those in
attendance were a few men and wo-
men who had been contemporaries oS
the father of his country Upon the
platform were seated side by side the