Bisbee daily review., 1908-07-04

VT is possible to hold Fourth of X 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 ig- nored the opportunity.
 There are many patriotic Ameri- cans who make it duty on July to journey to Philadelphia, pilgrimage to the shrine of liberty, there to raise their voices in thanks and rejoicing for the great deed that was there accomplished.
 Since that day, now distant 13l years, when Charles Thomson, rising in his chair, read for the first time the, final 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 has been permitted to pass without 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 elo- quence at Hberty's cradle. The municipal authorities of the city of Philadelphia are careful to see to it that some distinguished man is always on hand as orator of the day. l 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 that so singularly fulfilled the pro- phetiC mission assigned it 24 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 a large company can gather in front. 1 Tn the rear, the beautiful Indepen- 1 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 1 h Independence square. The day would not seem properly observed l with this omitted.
 i It is asnotable record of which l 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 tall 1 trees standing in the historic square must by this time know every word ] by heart.
 1 The first reading of the declaration
 was that by Charles Thomson, the
 secretary of congress. when he an-
 nounced the completed paper to the
 men who had framed it. Thomson
 did not however, read the declaration from the balcony of Independence hall
 to the people crowded outside to hear for the first time in what terms the
 colonists should tell King George that
 his control of the 13 colonies was at
 an end
 That privilege was reserved for
 John Nixon, a prominent member of
 the committee of safety In honor of
 the occasion, delegates to the congress
 filed ont in the July sunshine to listen
 to the aaGred words.
 ] Later long years after. Edwin For
 est, the most noted of American ac-
 tors, whose love for patriotism and the
 institutions of his 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 them < before c- since. 4 great crowd was