The National tribune., 1904-06-30

press after Cesar Rodney, Delegate
whom he knew was for severance of rela-
tions with Great Britain. Mr.. Rodney
was so miles away from Philadelphia, but
he started Immediately ON horseback, and
by riding all day and night he managed to
reach the floor of the House just as the
vote was about TO be taken, and carried
Delaware for Independence.
And so is was the Declaration of lnde-
pendence was adopted by a .unanimous"
vote of the 13 Colonies. July 4, 1776.
The Special Committee had left the prep
aration Of the immortal document to Mr..
Adams and Mr.. Jefferson. There always
has been, and there always will be, differ
ence of opinion as to who furnished the
brains Of the document. Knowing the men
as history has recorded them, q reasonable
thinker will at once conclude that each and
every one of them had say-sO in the make
up of the paper The Declaration of indie
pendence went before the Congress in the
handwriting of Thomas Jefferson. On
looking over the handwriting of the five,
this seems to have been canny wisdom on
the part of the other members of the COM
mittee. Jefferson made an excellent clerk.
His handwriting could be read. That is
more than can be said of most of the others.
ADOPTION OF THE DECLARATION.
Congress amended the Declaration in
few particulars, taking out some unneces-
sary rancor inserted by Jefferson, and then
gave it their sanction at noon. July 4, i77G.
1t was Immediately published to the
world as the def of the Colonies against
the tyranny Of England. But it was not
yet signed.
The Declaration was engrossed on parch-
ment, and on Aug. ,, was laid before Con-
gress for the signatures of the members.
BY this time many who had been in Con-
gress when the proposition was first laid
before that body had retired and others
had taken their places. Those who were
the document.
John Hancock, as President of the Con-
gress, wrote ina big. bold black hand the
first name on that document. The others
followed by States, So in all.
When the news was published to the
world in the city of Philadelphia the peo-
pie went wild, and the great Liberty Bell"
was rung.
Was it for this that the maker had in
scribed upon the great bell the words. PRO
claim liberty throughout all the lands unto
all the inhabitants thereofT'
Who can tell! Certain it is that we
have been doing this right along since the
big bell began to boom on that far-away
July noon.
Cannon roared all day and all night.
Messengers rode in hot haste to tell the
tale in all quarters of the city and to carry
the news to the distant troops.
In New York City Washington waited
impatiently for the word which was to
come to him from the Congress. About
him was his little army, and through the
anxious hours they watched the road up
which the courier OF liberty or the messen.
ger of shame should ride. Which would
it be! WashingtOn's faith was supreme,
and his prayers were answered.
The courier with his precious burden of
good tidings which was to bring to the
Army the word that behind them was a
| Nation with big y, travelled triumphaI
course from Philadelphia, the cheers from
the receding villagers joining those on to
the front, SO that the peans of the people
ascended for nearly "a solid hours, and
| the booming of guns was heard from one
end of the Atlantic coast to the other.
/ RECEPTION BY THE ARMY.
read to the Army, and the welcome infor-
nation was received with loud acclaim by
all. There were no rebels, all were pa
! trlots. That night the bronze statute OF
Ming George Ill was torn from its pedestal
in Bowling Green, and was smashed to
fragments and thrown into the melting
furnace. Out Of it were nodded $4,000 bull
lets for the patriot troops.
To-day you might stick up a statue OF
old King George in every public square
in the land, and it would not cause q
ripple OF comment. Not one in q million
would even recognize the fat old tyrant OF
mo representation no taxation days. The
little Flag of 13 stars has grown to such
tremendous size that her constellation OF
70 brilliant sparklers gives light to and
dominates the whole world.
Old John Adams prophesied this. He
saw with clear and prescient eye what the
years would bring to people who in theil
youth dared to brave the wrath and power
OF the then greatest nation on earth.
1 Yesterday" wrote John Adams to his
wife, 1.-THE greatest question was decided
that was ever dlhated IA America. and