The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1909-07-01

Ira undreamed Of when its homely
ornerstone was laid. Here was sign
that declaration Of the rights Of
IAN which marked the beginning Of
he greatest epoch In the worlds devel-
lpment. From its tower the Liberty
ell, tolling the knell of despotism,
1, ang out the birth Of a new govern
nent among the nations. Here George
Washington was commissioned to lead
is undisclplined troops to victory.
Here the Continental congress met and
CELEBRATED, "a company Of demigods."
Here was framed the constitution on
which the republic has rested as upon
rock for more than q hundred years.
AS long as the hand Of man can stay
he destructive forces of nature this
kemple Of liberty will be preserved. a
|kource Of inspiration not only to those
who claim 1t as their direct inherit.
ance, but to the Inhabitants OF every
land. From its altar went forth the
brand which lighted the torch Of free
iom for France, and 1t may yet be as
ieeply revered upon the banks Of the
Seva as upon the banks OF the Seine.
independence hall, for the name OF
Rhe chamber in which the Declaration
was signed IL now applied to the whole
structure, was begun In 1882, the year
q which George Washington was born,
BIS a statehouse for the colony Of
Pennsylvania. John Kearsley was It's
brchitect, e. Wooley Its builder. AS
originally constructed 1t was without
the southern projection which forms
the base OF the present tower. When
II was nearing completion the east
boom, later known as Independence
ball, was used by the colonial assem-
bly, at It's session In October, 1885, over
which Andrew Hamilton presided. The
west room was first used by the su-
preme court In 1743. In 1888 it was or
dered that two additional buildings for
'the reception of the records and papers
'bf the province be erected, forming
wings on each side Of the main struc-
ture. In 1850 the assembly authorized
Ian addition on the south side Of the
main building for a staircase and for a
suitable place in which to hang a bell.
la wooden tower was added, and in
this the Liberty bell was placed.
This bell, forever to be famous, was
cast in England especially for the state
house by Thomas Lester Of White
chapel, London. 1t was twelve feet In
circumference around the lip and seven
feet six inches around the crown,
weighing approximately a ton. 1t wa
to this country in 1852. In be,
ling taken from the ship 1t met with a
|mishap and was recast In Philadelphia
by Pass & Stow, with these words In
|scribed upon it: Proclaim liberty
throughout all the land, unto all the In
|habitants thereof" On Aug. q, 1853,
IT first called the assembly Of Pennsyl-
.vania together. On Oct. s, 1T65, 1t toll
ed the arrival Of the Royal Charlotte
bearing tax stamps for Pennsylvania,
New Jersey and Delaware. The assem-
bly,, thus summoned, met and demand
ed that the stamps be returned to Eng,
land. On Nov. /, 1875. 1t was again
tolled when the stamp tax was put in
operation.
On July 80, 1893, 1t called a meeting
at which it was said that 'the parlia,
ment Of Great Britain has reduced the
people to the level Of slaves" On
June /, 1774, 1t tolled the closing Of the
port OF Boston. April "a, Ito, after
he battle Sf Lexington. the ball sum.