Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1904-05-11

who croaRcd, Respondent ones who
predicted ruin and brave hearts that
dared struggle they believed would
be uncertain.
On such a field for twenty Five long
days determined battle was fought. 1t
ended at last, and one evening Thomas
Jefferson of Virginia betooR himself to
little house back of an oblong green,
where lived Dir. Franklin, and wrote
the first draft of the Declaration of In
dependence.
There comes a time in the history of
every great movement when it must go
forward or die. Lethargy breeds reac-
ton. The fierce fight for Declaration
had marked this point now. In the
three days since the vote the opposition
had gathered its shattered forces.
There were new mutterings. and the
little Virginian delegation in the shop
of Mr. James Randolph on High street
knew that the defiance which was to be
offered on the morrow, if it were to be
signed at all, must be signed quickly.
So out of humid morning grew the
afternoon of the Sd of July for Phila-
delphia. 1t came in heat, with brazen
sky.
Opposite Mr.. Randolph's shop on the
same evening Joseph Galloway, the
lawyer, walking slowly, paused and
looked across the street. He was thick
set and middle aged, with smooth,
crafty face and restless eyes.
He had lacked Wing patriotism in
the First congress. The Second would
have none of him. And yet he had ear
lier led the popular party against the
proprietary. Such strange overturnings
the new idea of freedom was bringing
about. The fierce Tory rancor which
fender of the prcrogative" was to con-
vert him later into spy, refugee and
a sour pensioner of George Ill.
Now, there was the open hatred of a
bitter Tory in the look Joseph Galloway
cast upon the little shop.
Good day, AIordecai," he said in
| greeting 10 rotund merchant Quaker
who joined him. 81 see you also look
ing. What think you our Virginia hot
bloods will brew next in their den yon-
der?"
The Quaker frowned. II love them
not" he answered. what saith the
Scriptures? For the weapons of our
warfare are not carnal, but mighty
through God to the pulling down of
stronghoids.'
Gentlemen of birth and wealth, for
sooth," continued Galloway angrily,
"and yet prating like the vcriest cIouts
of independence and brotherhood!
Whose was the bill to separate from
Great Britain? Richard Henry Lees.
And who has written the Declaration
that is to be thrust beneath the dele
gates noses tomorrow? Thomas Jeffer-
son. These Virgnians! Would we had
never heard of Virginia before we came
to this!
"Look you"- He broke off and
pointed with his stick where coach
bowled along High street. 1t was rich
~ furnished and bore arms on its pan
els. On the cushions, exquisitely dress
ed in white uniform, sat n blocky,
military looking man with bushy wig
and foreign mustachios. He wore n
cooked hat.
"'Tis NJ. Pliarne," said the Quaker
"These French parasites with powder
to peddle, Friend Joseph, would joy to
see the colonies plunged into bloody
strife. They would batten ON our eX-
tremity, for wheresoever the carcass is,
there the eagles be gathered together +"
"French otIlcersm circulated Gallo,
way. aye or Adventures! AS like
to be one as another. Mayhap NJ. PHI
arne goes to see the precious envoy
whose newcoming the town gapes
about"
"He is to be received?'
Tomorrow afternoon. TITS an open
secret. Notice was sent the house this
morning."
"'Twas averred in the street but now
that he is come from Louis XVI"
LET them jabber" grumbled Gallo
way. Little store is to be set by these
fine ENJOYS. l mind me when the
Frenchman came to the congress last
November. You heard of that, may
hap. There was the same excitement;
committee appointed, too, remem-
Der. John Jay was upon 1t. They met
the parsonage in a room in Carpenters
hall, and what think you they found ?
Why, n little old frog eater with club
foot, who when they asked him for his
authority drew his hand across his
throat and says he, Gentlemen, shall
take care Of my head! That was all
they could get out of him. Some imbe-
cile belize. And even then there were
those who saw great signs in it. A pest
on all such, say I''
The Quaker shook his head doubtful
~. "Yet there is much hoped for from
this present message" he said. II
heard 1t on good authority some months
ago that French marquis was to come
hither. Twas said Benjamin Franklin
had written of the matter from Lon
don. Mayhap this is the same"
"Bosh!" shifted Galloway. "'Tis abb
surd, 1 say, the faith that is put in
such vain and empty hope! do know
that half the delegates have some such
folly in their heads. The Declaration is
to be offered for signing tomorrow, and,
look you, 1t is in the minds of some
members to retard action upon it, hop
ing such message from France may
bolster faint hearts,"
"Thou dost not think they will sign,
then?"
God forbid!' rejoined Galloway fer
yently. II cannot believe we are so
near madness as that. And yet would
that naught had been heard Of a mes
sage from France. Methinks tomorrow
will be warm. Good night to you. Nor
decai."
AS the two friends talked the chimes
had clangored from Christ church, and
just as the tones sounded stout