Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-07-04


question might very properly he asked
of the millions Of fire. cracker-explod-
ing boys and girls who have grown to
manhood and womanhood in the past
and are now developing into American
citizenship whose faith is complete
that independence was first thought of,
discussed, declared and won on the
Fourth Of July.
But it would be more correct to speak
Of Independence week or month or
even year than to settle the whole of
the glory upon the fourth itself.
The surrender of CORVALLIS at York
town was October 10, ISL. At least one
Of the signers Of the Declaration, with
no thought, however, to be on the safe
side, signed the document late in the
same wear. Col. Mexican of Delaware
that he did not sign till 1871. His
name does not appear in the first
fifty-five other signers.
jefferson himself. the author Of the
immortal document, in paper on the
manner Of proceeding of the Cont
mental Congress with respect to indie
pen'lence writes:
THE debates having taken up the
greater part Of the second, third and
fourth days of July, We're in the eve
ming of the last closed. The Declara-
ton was reported by the committee,
agreed to by the house and signed by
every member present, except Mr..
Dickinson
The journal. however, shows that
only John Hancock, the President Of
the Congress, signed, atteSted by
Charles Thompson, secretary.
But beyond the fact that the Dec
laration was not signed on the 4th it
is also true that after the long month
Of acrimonious discussion beginning
early in June the resolution for indie
pendence itself was adopted July 9.
The Virginia delegates, led by Rich
ard Henry Lee, who for more than a
year had openly advocated indepen-
dence, instructed by the Virginia con-
vention of May Il, 1776 to vote for alb
solute freedom, brought forward the
resolution on June I.
Mr.. Lees resolution read that these
united colonies are, and of right ought
to be, free and Independent states and
that all political connection between
them and the state of Great Britain is,
and ought to be, totally dissolved"
lAl, In, III u,
1t was the north and the south joining
hands. Puritan and cavalier shoulder
To shoulder for liberty. The debate
was on and Adams became the cnlos-
SuS in its defense.
Direct consideration Of the question
Of Independence was entered upon. ac-
cording 70 the record. on the morning
of the LIST of July by the Congress
voting to resolve itself into a commit
tee of the whole 10 take into consider
alton the resolution introduced by
Richard Henry Lee and To refer the
draft of the declaration to this COM
mittce.
Benjamin Harrison Of Virginia was
called To the chair and the whole day
the prolonged discussion ragged about
the question. hut al the end the resolu-
ton was adopted. The committee of
the whole then rose. Hancock resumed
the chair and Harrison reported that
the committee had adopted the rcsnlu-
ton. 1t was late. the members were
tired AMI anxious and the House voted
10 postpone action on the resolution
until the next day, July 2. Then after
2 nights rest the resolution was adOpt-
ed. Real Independence day is there
fore July 2.
But there was the matter of the draft
Of the Declaration, quite a different
matter from the mere resolution still
to he considered, or the form of an
nouncing the fact of the adopted reso-
luton to the world.
Discussion on the draft continued all
through the Sd of July and ii was only
on the 4th that it was agreed upon, and
the Old bell in Independence Hail. up
tiii That time called the State House,
had the honor of proclaiming liberty
to the world
the exact hour of the adoption is not
;teterminable from any record and the
important point Of a unanimous dec
laration still hung in the balance.
Inc adoption Of July 2, though
carried by good majority, was by no
means that heart-whOle affair which
was desirable to carry conviction to all
tne thirteen colonies. All of New
England - that is Massachusetts.
fhode Island. Connecticut and New
iiampshire-with New Jersey, Mary
land, Virginia and North Carolina
voted for the resolution. but Pennsvl.
vania. in the metropolis of which The
ueiesates We're gathered. and South
oaroiiha voted against it. One of
Deiaware5 delegates, Col McKea.,,
voted Tor 1t and the other Geor1a