Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1908-07-02

is possible 10 nOlO FOurtn Oh
July celebrations in the shadow
OF the structure which saw the
birth and signing Of the Declare,
ticn OF Independence, the most potent
doctrine for freedom In the history OF
the world. and the nation has not ig.
nored the opportunity.
There are many patriotic Ameri.
cans who make II duty on
July 4 to journey to Philadelphia, a
| pilgrimage to the shrine Of liberty,
there 10 raise their voices in tnani:s
and rejoicing for the great deed that
was there accomplished.
Since that day. now distant 1871
years, when Charles Thomson. rising
n his chair, read for the first time the
final draft ~ 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
has been permitted 10 pass without a
proper celebration in the public square
back Of Independence hall.
Presidents Of the United States. sen.
ators, representatives,, Justices Of the
highest courts. and even foreign am.
%bassadors have poured forth their clio.
quence at liberty's cradle. The
municipal authorities of the city OF
Philadelphia are careful to see TO /,
that some distinguished nan Is always
on hand as orator u 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 10 play patriotic airs in the
shadow Of the steeplc where hung the
bell that so singularly fulfilled the pro
phctic mission assigned It "a years
before 10 proclaim liberty through
out the land"
The location OF tho hall lends itseli
10 purposes Of public celebration
There Is ample room, both front AM
back, for the building stands well
back from the pavement, so that {
large company can gather in front
In the rear. the beautiful Indepcn
dence square there is still more
space, and thousands assemble to lfS
ten TO the orations, and hear thu
Declaration OF Independence read.
This latter Is really the distinctiv'
feature Of Fourth Of July celebration
In Independence square.
It Is a notable record Of whicl
every American may be proud tina
not a Fourth of July has passed sine
We Lave been a nation, without the In
spircd words being uttered again (
the air that heard them first.
The first reading Of the d~ccla:a,iG
was that by Charles Thomson, III
secretary OF congress. when he al
nounced the completed paper to tn
men VINO had framed 1t. Thomso
did not, however. read the dcclaratiO
from the balcony Of independence ha
to the people crowded outside to hea
. for the first time in what terms tn
colonists should tell King George thi
] his control OF the 10 colonies was q
an end.
That privilege was reserved ft
John Nixon. a prominent member {
! the committee of safety. In honor {
r the occasion. delegates to the congres
filed out In the July sunshine to liste
Q to the sacred words.
0 Nixon has been described as mastc
a elocutionist with n voice so clear ar
distinct that 1t was heard clear
Fifth street, n square distant. i
| took his place on the balcony, white
r was then the favorite rostrum Of Il
!, day, Crowds had assembled to he,
a him. gathered by the ringing OF Il
liberty bell. II was a memorable eel
!, bration. and the first In the history
;. the nation.
= Chief Justice John Marshall spol
!, In the %statehouse yard at one Of n
celebrations In the early part OF h
tenure OF Office. and later Daniel We
y stcr delivered a notable address the,
Later. long years after, Edwin FL
est, the most noted Of American q
tors. whose lore for patriotism and Il