Gunnison news-champion., 1908-07-03

RT is possible to hold Fourth Of
july celebrations in the shadow
Of The structure which saw the
birth and signing of the Declara-
tion Of Independence. the most potent
doctrine for freedom in the history of
the world and the nation has not is
nored the opportunity.
There are many patriotic Ameri-
cans who make it duty on
July % journey TO Philadelphia a
Pilgrim to the shrine of liberty.
there t. raise their voices in thanks
And rejoicing for the great deed that
was therp accomplished
SiRce that day, now distant 1871
years when Charles Thomson. rising
In his chair, read for the first time the
fina draft Of that momentous docu-
ment which Thomas jefferson wrote.
but which underwent many changes
before meeting with the final approval
of the delegates to the continental
congress, not an Independence day
proper celebration in the public square
baCk u independence nall.
Presidents Of the United States. sen
atoTs representatives, justices of the
highest courts, and even foreign am
bassadors have poured forth their elo-
queuce at liberty's cradle. The
municipal authorities of the city of
Philadelphia are careful to see to ii
that some distinguished man is always
on hand as orator of the day.
The pOmp of military circumstance
has sometimes been called upon to
lend prestige TO the occasion. and the
best musicians Of the land have been
proud to play patriotic airs in the
shadow Of the steeple where hung the
bell hat 20 singularly fulfilled the pro
phetic mission assigned 1t "a years
before to proclaim liberty through
out The land"
The location of the hall lends itself
to purposes 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 lndepen-
dence square. there is still more
space, and thousands assemble TO lis
ten 10 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
with this omitted
Ii is . notable record Of which
every American may be proud that
not a Fourth Of July has passed since
We have been a nation, without the in
spired words being uttered again to
the air that heard them first.
The first reading of the declaration
was that by Charles Thomson, the
secretary of congress when he an
nounced the completed paper 10 the
men who had framed j. Thomson
did not. however. read the declaration
from the balcony Of iudepen aence hall
to the people crowded 1Uts.de to hear
for the first time In ~hat terms the
colonists should tell King George that
his control of the 1S co.Cni=s was al
an end.
That privilege wsz reserved for
John Nixon. pTcni1cat member OF
the committee Of safety In honor Of
the occasion. delegates to the congress
filed out in the July Sunshine tC listen
to the sacred words.
Later, long years after, Edwin For
est. tie most noted of American &C
tors, whose love for patriotism and the
Institutions OF mis- country was deeper
even than his regard for the stage,
stood on the same spot. and on a
Fourth Of July morning read the words
of Jefferson. as no man has read saem
before or since. A great crowd was
perhaps the largest ever as