The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1908-07-04
in THE SHADOW OF
LIBERTY'S SHRINE
Memorable Fourth of July celebra.
ton at Independence Hall.

"a 0OAASASS
combined have preserved to Ameri-
cans the most sacred building in the
United States, Independence hall.
1t is possible to hold Fourth of
July celebrations in the shadow Of
the very structure which saw the
birth and signing of the Declaration
OF independence, the most potent
doctrine for freedom in the history
of the world.
The nation has not ignored the
chance.
There are many patriotic Ameri-
| cans who make it a duty on july
to journey to Philadelphia, pilgrim
age to the shrine of liberty, there to
raise their voices in thanks and re-
joicing for the great deed that was
there accomplished.
Since that day, now distant 49,
years, when Charles Thomson read
for the first time the final draft of
that momentous document which
Thomas Jefferson wrote, but which
! underwent many changes before
meeting with the approval of the del.
egates to the Continental congress.
not an Independence day has been
permitted TO pass without a proper
celebration in the public square
back Of: independence hall.
Presidents Of the United States,
senators, representatives, justices of
the highest courts, and even foreign,
ambassadors have poured forth their
eloquence at Liberty's cradle. The
municipal authorities Of the city of
Philadelphia are careful to see to it
that some distinguished man is al
ways on hand as orator Of the day
The location of the hall lends itself
to purpose of public celebration.
There is ample room, both front and
back, for the building stands well
back from the pavement, so that
large company can gather in front.
In the rear, the beautiful Independ-
ence square, there is still more space
and thousands assemble to listen to
the orations and hear the Declaration
of Independence read.
This latter Is really the distinctive
feature Of Fourth of July celebrations
in independence square. The day
would not seem properly observed
were this omitted
! It is a notable record, of which
every American may ne proud, that that
not a Fourth of July has passed
since we have been nation without
the inspired words being uttered
to the air that heard them first. The
tall trees standing in the historic
square must by this time know every
word by heart.
The first reading of the Declara-
ton was that by Charles Thomson,
the secretary Of congress, when he
announced the completed paper to
the men who had framed it. Thorn
son did not, however, read the Decla-
ration from the balcony Of Indpend-
ence hall to the people crowded out
side to hear for the first time in what
terms the colonists should tell King
George that his control Of the thir-
teen colonies was at an end.
That privilege was reserved for
John Nixon, prominent member Of
the committee of safety. In honor of
the occasion delegates to the con-
gress filed out in the July sunshine
/ to listen to the sacred words.
Two years after the first Fourth of
July there occurred a celebration in
Independence square that. had a spe-
cial significance. The advance Of the
British and their occupation of Phila-
delphia during the winter of 1777-1778
! had forced congress to leave the
Quaker City and go to New York.
T After the evacuation congress re-
turned July 2 and grand celebration
of the recurrence of the promulga-
ton Of the Declaration was held, in
which nearly the entire population of
Philadelphia joined.
/ During the centennial in Philadel-
phia there was naturally a notable
demonstration and no less a person
sat among those who cheered the SEN
| timents that had sounded the down.
fall Of monarchy in this country and
were finally to take his throne from
the ruler of Brazil.
During his first administration,
Grover Cleveland, president of the
United States, came to Philadelphia
one Fourth of July and standing on
a platform raised in the square ap-
pealed to the young manhood Of
America that the great lessons of
1776 be not ignored
Sanael ]. Randall, Judge Kelley,
Gen. Grant and Lewis Cassidy have
also figured prominently in Fourth of
July celebrations there.
During the administration of May
or Warwick, himself an orator of gen
uine gifts, every year was made the
occasion of notable demonstrations
to which were invited men of nation
al fame.
One of the most commendable fea.
lures about all these affairs has been
the prominence given to children. In
fact they might almost be called Chill
drens day events.
The charge that republics are I'M
grateful can never be established
while the representatives of nation,
young and old, gather at It's shrine
OF liberty once a year to sing the
praises Of its founders: