Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1908-07-02
In THE SHADOW OF
LIBERTY'S SHRINE
Memorable Fourth of July Celebra.
|. ton at independence Hall.

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 nhich 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 4
to journey to Philadelphia, a 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 132
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 20 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 LiEertys 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 we'll
| back from the pavement, so that a
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
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.
1t is a 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 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 Declare
ton was that by Charles Thomson
| the secretary of congress, when he
announced the completed paper tc
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 fol
John Nixon, a 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 spe
cial significance. The advance of the
British and their occupation of Phila
delphia during the winter of 1777-177S
had forced congress to leave the
Quaker City and go to New York.
After the evacuation congress re
turned July and a 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 Phlladel
phia there was naturally a notable
demonstration and no less a person
than Dom Pedro, emperor of Brazil
sat among those who cheered the sen
timents that had sounded the down
fall of monarchy in this country anc
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 or
platform raised in the square ap
pealed to the young manhood o.
America that the great lessons o.
1875 be not ignored.
Sansel J. Randall, Judge Kelley
Gen. Grant and Lewis Cassidy have
also figured prominently in Fourth O
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 beer
the prominence given to children. IL
fact they might almost be called Chill
dren's day events.
The charge that republics are I'm
grateful can never be established
while the representatives of nation
young and old, gather at its shrine
of liberty once a year to sing the
praises of it's founders.