Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-01

the real stroke of independence, this great
sheepskin was unrolled in the presence OF
the Continental Congress, In 1ndepend-
ence Hall. With the wording of the cor
rected draft 1t carefully. compared
at the table" This Formally gone through
with. it was spread out upon a desk ana
signed by all of the members of Congress
present. Fifty of these fathers of the re-
public signed on that day. Six of the
revered ''signers' did not affiX their sigma
lures until later dates. George Wythe OF
Virginia signed about August q Rlcharo
Henry Lee Virginia: Elbridge Gerry. Mas
sschusetts, and Oliver WOlcott, Connecu-
cut, did not affiX their signatures until
some time In September. Matthey Thorn
ton of New Hampshire did not add his
name until November. and Thomas Nc
Kean of Delaware probably did not afhX
his. the final signature, until five years
later. or 1871. Matthew Thornton. by the
way was not appointed to Congress until
September, and did not take his seat until
November-four months after the adop-
ton of the Declaration. Other signers who
were not members of Congress on July
or T. but were allowed to sign on August =,
the general signing day. These were Ben
jamin Rush, James Wilson, George Ross,
George Clymer and George Taylor.
Preachers Treachery Cheated Georgia.
Why two Georgia members did not sign
IS explained by Mr.. Michael One of these,
the Rev John Joachim Zubly of Savannah
as soon as it became apparent that indie
pendence was to be declared, had fled
posthaste from Philadelphia to Georgia with
the intention of apprisng Sir James
Wright, the crown governor of Georgia.
of what was going on behind the closed
doors of Independence Hall. Zubly's con-
duct having excited suspicion, he had been
closely watched, and one of his letters to
the British governor had been seized. 1t
appearing beyond doubt that he was di-
vulging the secrets of the executive ses-
sions, then so zealousIy planning the stroke
for liberty he had been accused of his
perfidity on the floor of the Congress by
Samuel Chase. member from Maryland
Zubly had denied these charges and chal-
lenged proof l. had been the furnishing
of this proof that had caused his flight
Congress directed John Houston another
Georgia delegate. 10 follow Zubly ana CIR
cumvent his evil purposes. BY the tmc
both members reached Georgia. however,
the crown governor had been deposed by
the people, and had taken refuge In an
armed British vessel lying in Savanna
harbor Thus Zubly's treachery came TO
naught but il cheated Houston out OF ms
opportunity to sign the Declaration, anu
left Georgia with only three instead ar
five signers. Why Houston did not sign
with the other tardy members Is not dls,
cussed in the history, but his name shouid
be as endeared to the hearts OF Amerlcahs
as any of the actual signers ZupIv, ny
the wavafter being banished from Georgia,
with the loss OF half of his estate, was
allowed to return to his pastoral work IN
Savannah, which city honors him py al
lowing two highways to bear his name
Joachim and Zubly streets.
First. Celebration of Independence.
The first celebration of independence was
held at Philadelphia in the grounds of the
state house-now independence Hall-on
Thursday, July 8. 1776. Every eye of the
assembled multitude could gaze on the old
liberty bell, which had been cracked during
its loud acclaim of independence, and which
still reposes in the historic cradle of liberty
-.Independence Hall The declaration
probably one of the first 'broadside prints"
was read to a large gathering by John
Nixon. and great enthusiasm prevailed The