The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1908-07-03

n T is possible to hold Fourth OF
July celebrations in the shadow
OF the structure which saw the
birth and signing Of the Declare
ton 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 1t duty on
July to journey to Philadelphia, a
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 1871
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 n
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 liberty's cradle. The
municipal authorities of tho city o.
Philadelphia are careful to see to /.
that some distinguished man is Away
on hand as orator of the day.
The pomp Of military circumstance
has sometimes been called upon .
lend prestige to the occasion, and TIC
best musicians OF the land have been
proud to play patriotic airs in TAG
shadow Of the steeple where hung the
bell that so singularly fulfilled the uro
phetic mission assigned II "a years
before to proclaim liberty thro igh
out the land"
The location OF the hall lends sell
TO purposes Of public celebra ion
There is ample room, both from and
back, for the building stands we'll
back from the pavement, SO that o
large company can gather In t"ont
In the rear, the beautiful Ind pen
dence square, there Is still ilort
space, and thousands assemble % lis
ter 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 da,
would not seem properly observed
with this omitted.
It is notable record OF which
every American may be proud tina
not a Fourth OF July has passed since
we have been a nation, without the In
spired words being uttered again L
the air that heard them first.
The FIRST reading OF the declaration
was that by Charles Thomson. thu
secretary OF congress, when he an
nounced the completed paper to tn
men who had framed IT, Thomson
did not. however, read the declaration
from the balcony of Independence hal
to the people crowded outside to hea
for tho first time in what terms tn
colonists should tell King George tina
his control OF the IL colonies was
an end.
That privilege was reserved 10
John Nixon, a prominent member O
the committee of safety. In honor @
the occasion, delegates to the congress
filed out In the July sunshine to liste
to the sacred words.
Later, long years after, Edwin Fol
est. the most noted OF American az
tors, whose love for patriotism and tn
institutions Of his country was deepe
even than his regard for the stag
stood on the same spot, and on
Fourth of July morning read the word
of Jefferson. as no man has read ther
before or since. A great crowd wa
present. perhaps the largest ever q