Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1907-07-04


year, aud il required that period TO bring
the American eolonists TO the point OF
formally attempting to throw on the
british yoke; before il was mere resist
anee 10 tyranny, and truitless snppiianee
for mercy,
The men at Philadelphia who ON July
a, i776, affixed their names TO the doen-
ment that made them famous well under
stood the situation. II was serious bust
ness TO them individually. They were
rebels and traitors, each fairly earning
the hangman's moose. Besides, Il looked
like hopeless struggle ahead, The
Americans themselves were divided In
sentiment, many Of the leading eoionists
hanging back from attempting TO sever
the tie with the home country. War was
already on. IL would be waged with
added determination by England when
faced by the possible loss of her posses
sions. Her fleets and armies would be
thrown upon the American coasts. Her
gold would be poured ont TO hire mereen-
aries. An the stubborn qualities OF the
greatest empire OF the world would be
called into exercise to destroy this insur-
rection. Against her what could few
feeble, scattered colonies dog They were
fearfully poor, almost strangers 10 each
other, with no effective cooperation, and
knit together by no tie save the common
impulse OF the moment to offer resist
ance TO oppression. They were onl,
three millions OF people in all, will
many Tories and loyalists TO be counted
out. Back of their narrow ocean-soune
habitation stood the glowering forests
where threatened the red man, always
seenting for blood,
No wonder they hesitated, weighed al
and invoked Divine guidance. c whei
ali had been summed up there was NJ
other course to take. The Rubicon hat
been crossed at Lexington and Bunke
Hin. Blood had been shed. The col
onies from Pilgrim Massachusetts 4
Catholic Maryland and on TO the Scots o
the Carolinas were shoulder TO shoulde
now and one impulse governed-the de
sire for freedom and independence, tn
removal forever Of foreign rule, chanc
to build for themselves in this new work
an empire of destiny. 1t was natura
evolution. So the fifty-six representa-
tives of the thirteen colonies, on that Ju
ly day, solemnly adopted Jefferson's Dec
laration of Independence, affixed thei
names to what would have been thei
death warrant had failure followed, an
the Liberty bell rang out the tidings $
eagerly awaited 1t was the most histor
ic scene this continent has yet witnessed
The times that followed were thos
that tried mems souls. Strong-hearte
Washington could not conceal his dis
tress at the difficulties encountered. Ofte
the fortunes of war were at the loves
Spb-thS Sapieai anu Shiei eisieS a. W
enemy's possession, the government fl
gitive, the armies mere ragged bands Q
wanderers, destitute of arms, supplies o
money, the colonies rent by dissensions
I the commanders intriguing against eac
other, traitors in high places, and N
/, promise ahead. Yet somehow it all cam
' out right in the end, glory be! Afte
Long Island came Trenton and Princeton
y after Germantown came Saratoga; afte
d Camden came Kings Mountain and til
t Cowpens; after the invasion of Virgini
came Yorktown. Oh, there is no need
in these later days, of whetting the al
petite for the exciting and sensational o
Il modern fiction. Go read the history
your country in these trying times. An
it will do you good to know what you
, patriot fathers suffered and endured [
. build this nation. Perhaps you will eve
buy bigger firecraker, or shout a lit
: louder at the ball game if you recall IL
! blood. on the snow at Valley Forge,
Molly Pitcher at Monmouth.