Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-07-04

to appeal to the popular mind, and yet II
should be 80 temperate and argumentative
that II should silence the cavil Of enc
mics. It was to the work of framing this
document that the committee. between the
adjournment of Congress on the 10th of
June and the reassembling on the LIST OF
July, gave its most earnest consideration.
Framing the Declaration.
Thomas Jefferson. at that time. lived in
the house Of humble bricklayer. Ger
man named Graaf In his modestly fur
| nished room he sat daily and nightly be-
fore a small writing desk. which is still
preserved. He was engaged in thought
fully writing and carefully framing the
immortal document now known as the Dec
laration of Independence. Although the
draft is in his own handwriting. 1t Is known
that he held many an anxious consultation
| with the other members of the committee
under whose care the draft was finally
completed and held subject to the call Of
Congress.
1.-The list of July 1776. The day upon
which Congress was to reassemble, fell on
Monday. On the preceding Sabbath the
clergymen in the various pulpits not fear
ing to be accused of political preaching.
had given appropriate and patriotic coun-
sels and with fervent supplications had
entreated the Supreme Ruler to bestow
wisdom and courage upon those in whose
hands were the destinies Of the people.
We can believe. also. even though we have
no photographs to make the belief a real
ity, that after the houses of worship were
closed. the streets Of the Quaker city were
thrOnged with men discussing the great
event which would happen on tomorrow:
and that in the little apartment of the
humble bricklayer Jefferson's friends were
gathered to give the finishing touches to
the document which had been prepared.
I'VE talk Of crises nowadays as IL crises
occurred with almost every revolution OF
the earth. There was, however, at that
time. crisis impending, crisis compared
uyh lob tbAp 1rAvnfS IN
Every member of that Congress knew, ev-
cry intelligent man felt that now or never
| must stand be made. that now or never
must they strike.
Strike for their affairs and their fires;
Strike for the green graves OF their sires;
God and their native land
Exciting Scene in the House.
when Monday morning dawns the MEM
bers of the Congress of 1776. with slow and
thoughtful STEP wend their way to the
council chamber, business is generally sus-
pended. and not only is the available space
for spectators in the chamber filled, but
outside Of the historic hall are gathered the
| worthy citizens of the town. Amid the
GREATNESS silence of the members and OF
the assembled throng the order Of the day
| Is announced, namely, the consideration of
the first Of the Virginia resolutions. The
clerk reads the resolution and members
and spectators drink in every word. The
House resolves itself into committee OF
the whole. The discussion is commenced.
The excitement that had been kept DOWN
so many days springs up and seeks vigor-'
Gus expression. The debate becomes ami
mated.
The day slips on. and the resolution is
still undispoSed of by the committee. The
shades of evening close over the city and
over the assemblage, and still the commit
tee hesitates to pass the resolution. AT
| length disposition to take the sense or
e or,ff nSf tod hn q
calls for the question. But one member
and another still desires to be heard. The
House somewhat impatiently hears them.
Again there are cries of question in
louder and more determined tones.
The chairman of the committee, Mr..
Harrison of Virginia. slowly rises. and
every voice is hushed. Gravely. but with
voice unwavering, he puts the question and
bids the clerk to call the ayes and noes by
delegations The resolution passes the COM
mittee. but 1t Is adopted by majority only
and not unanimously. Nine colonies only
| namely. New Hampshire, Connecticut.
Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Jersey.
Maryland. Virginia. North Carolina and
Georgia, vote in the affirmative, and four,
namely. South Carolina. Pennsylvania.
Delaware and New York. in the negative.
Let justice. however, be done to these four
colonies. The South Carolina and Penn
sylvania delegates were really opposed to
the step. Delaware had but two delegates
present and they were divided The New
York delegates were in favor of the meas
ure and expressed their belief that their
constituents also WERE but they had no in
Structons, and on so grave matter they
| wished to consult those they represented.
When the vote was announced, Edward
Rutledge of South Carolina asked that the
report of the committee be not acted upon
by the House until the following day. for
| though his colleagues dsapproved of the
resolution, he believed they would vote for
1t for the sake Of unanimity, whereupon the
committee reported to the House and the
House adjourned.
The Second Day.
''Thus closes the first of these eventful
four days. Disappointment is stamped
| upon many patriots face. but as ex-
plantations are made confidence In each
other is restored. Nevertheless, many of
| the men most actively engaged in pro-
noting the American cause of independence
spent that night in deep anxiety. They
| rose at early morning, scarcely refreshed
| by their unquiet sleep Again the mem
bers wendell their way to the council
chamber, where the spectators less calm
and undemOnStrative than on the morn
ing of the first day, await their arrival
The report of the committee was taken into
| consideration by the House. The debate
was brief A third delegate had arrived
| from Delaware and was in favor of the
| resolution. South Carolina now concurred.
Members favorable to it have arrived from
Pennsylvania. Instructions to vote for the
and the resolution was unanimously
adopted. The Rubicon has passed; the
first blow has been struck; the first note
of defiance uttered. The letters are
snapped asunder, and the cords that bind
the young Samson are broken like threads.
The dependent child springs into indie
pendent and stalwart manhood with the
spirit of re- tingling through his veins.
making his nerves iron, his muscles steel
and his arm strong.
mot yet, however, had freedom been
achieved, not even yet declared; but it
had been resolved upon. and with those
men to resolve was to do, though it were
at sacrifice of life and treasure. Prompt
ly, therefore. the delegates proceeded to
further action. They resolved to declare
themselves free and independent. They
closely scrutinized Mr.. Jefferson's draft of
the Declaration Of Independence. Every
word is weighed and every sentence made
clear and Ineligible. Two whole days
are thus occupied. and on the evening Of
the Sd of July the House adjourns without
final action During most of that night.
Thomas Jefferson and the other members
of the committee. with some of the more
prominent delegates. are in anxious con-
sultation. The committee has already
made important amendments in the draft,
and others spoken of. until some of
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