The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-06-30

pressure was brought on the colonies which, up to this time, had been against separation, by the discussion In news papers and pamphlets, and by the debates in assemblies, convention, committees or safety, and of inspection, and in town and county meetings. The whole people soon became familiar with the question, and their councils began to feel the effect of the popular agitation. Not only were the councils at home besieged by the advo- cates of ndependence-letters, resolutions, and petitions were showered on the dele gates in Congress. The delegates of Penn sylvania had been strictly ordered to re- ject any proposition for independence but the radical party of the colony had be- fore this taken matters Into It's own hands and by an interesting revolution they suc- ceeded in overpowering the regular as- sembly and forwarded a message to Con- gross favoring independence. New Jer- sey too, sent new delegates instructed for the resolution If they thought 1t neces- sary or expedient."
 As the first day of July approached the excitement in Congress increased. AL though we have no records of the debate, it Is evident that in the intervals between reading reports from the army and voting money for gunpowder and cannon, the two parties were exercising their utmost in-
 
 The numbers for independence were grad ually creeping up, and every change of front became a matter of the most dram atic interest.
 John Adams, in a letter to a friend, written In 1913, tells a graphic story of the conversion of one of the members. For many days the majority depended on MT. Hewes of North Carolina. While a member one day was speaking and read- ..,-- l11, f- oil f1aa nrfn n prove that the public opinion, the general sense of all, was in favor of the measure, when he came to North Carolina and produced letters and public proceedings which demonstrated that the majority of that colony were in favor of 1t, MT. Hewes who had hitherto constantly voted against 1t, started suddenly upright, and lifting up both his hands to heaven, as If he had been in a trance, cried out, Tt is donel and I will abide by it. would give more for perfect painting Of the terror and horror upon the faces of the old mapority at that critical moment than for the best piece of Raphael"
 The resolution was brought to vote on the first day of July, some f1fty-one mem- bers being present in Congress That 1t would have a majority was certain, but something more than majority was nec- essary, everybody felt, On the morn- ing of the first, just as Congress was about to enter on the debate, the hearts of John Adams and his associates were made glad by the arrival of delegates from Maryland, instructed to give unan- imous vote Matters looked so propitious that Adams wanted the vote taken at once, but New Jersey was unwilling She had given her delegates permission to support independence If they thought it expedient; they had arrived only on the 2Sth, and very naturally they wanted to hear the arguments; so, to Adamss dis gust, the debate began again. But stale and futile as the reiteration seemed to him. he did not shirk 1t. Never was Adams more powerful than in this final debate on Lees resolution. He was the "colossus of that debate" said Jefferson afterwards. The entire day of July was spent on the question, and at night Con- gress was still unwilling to take final vote and so adjourned the decision until the 2nd The night was spent in excited work. Four colonies-New York, Penn sylvania, Delaware and South Carolina