The Monte Vista journal., 1909-07-03
| Grand Welcome /
That Was Given
the Declaration
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I ~ Philadelphia knows per-
fectly well how the sign.
ing of the Declaration OF
independence was cele-
A~ brated in that city, and
yet 1t seems well, now
that the anniversary Of
our country's birth is SO near at hand.
to read once more OF that which was
done In the principal cities in the
way Of rejoicing by those who stood
within the shadow of the scaffold. be-
cause Of daring to declare themselves
free from all allegiance to the king.
AS a matter of course. the first re-
rejoicing was INDUCED in when the
old bell in the steeple Of Independ-
ence hall rang out its notes which
proclaimed Liberty throughout all
the land, unto all the Inhabitants
thereof" but 1t was not until the
eighth Of July that any grand demon.
stration was made by the people.
Then, as We are told from the plat.
form OF an observatory erected near
the Walnut street front OF the state
house by Rittenhouse many years be-
=
transit Of Venus. John Nixon read the
Declaration to a vast concourse Of
people gathered from the city. and sur.
rounding country. When the reading
was finished the arms over the seat
Of justice In the courtroom were torn
down and burned in the street; in the
evening bonfires were lighted. the
houses were illuminated and 1t was
not until thundershower at midnight
compelled the people to return to
their homes that the sounds Of glad
ness were hushed."
Washington received the Declare.
ton at headquarters in New York. on
the 9th Of July. and caused 1t to be
read at six o'clock that evening at
the head Of each brigade.
Mr.. Todd in his STORY of New
York. writes regarding the scene:
One OF the brisades was honored BY
the presence Of the commander-in.
chief. 1t was drawn up in . hollow
square on the historic Common.
Within the square Washington sat on
horseback, while An aide in Q clear
voice read the Declaration"
In Boston on the 18th Of July the
Declaration was publicly read. and
concerning the celebration. Mr.. Gil.
man says in his STORY Of Boston,"
The day Of the Thursday lecture
was set apart for the reading Of the
Declaration, and after . good sermon
the congregation followed the CROWD
to King street. The town was
thronged by crowds In holiday suits,
with Joy beaminG from every eye. Ar.
tillery was drawn up In front Of the
Jail on Court street. and infantry lined
the adjoining streets. Exactly a.
the clock struck one. Col. Thomas
Crafts appeared on the balcony Of the
state house. and read the Declaration.
the great audience listening with At
tention to every word. When he sat
down . shout. God save our Ameri.
can states" was heard IN the hall. to
which the thronE below responded
with three hearty cheers: the bells
rang. cannon were discharged from
the shipping and from the forts and
batteries. the infantry followed, and
Mr.. Bowdoin gave the sentiment, Sta.
bility and Perpetuity to American In.
depcndencc!' The better class Of
citizens attended . banquet In the
council chamber: much liquor was
distributed to the populace. according
to the old custom. and the kings arms
were taken down from the town
house. custom house. courthouse and
other places and consumed In Q gen.
crnl bonfire In front of the bunch NJ
Grapes tavern"
There was rejoicing throughout all
the ''rcbcilious coionies:" but, unfor.
tunately. no detailed account Of the
festivities can be found. Watson, In
his ANNALS Of Philadelphia" writes
regarding the FIRST Fourth Of July eel.
ebration in that city. l777:
The %th Of July. being the nrst
anniversary. was celebrated At Phiia.
dciphia with great display and 10y.
About noon all the armed ships and
gailcys were drawn up before the city.
with their gay strsamsrs flying. At
ono o'clock. all the yards being
manned. they severaliy fred IL euus
An elegant dinner was given TO thu
congress. the civil and military ON.
GERS. etc. The Hcssian band PLAYED
some ans music. aud at each toast
there Vas . discharge oe artillery.
Towards evening several troops Of
horse. . corps Of artillery and Q bri.
gads o. North Carolina forces. were
drawn w In Second street. aaA 70.
viewed By congress and the general
omcers. AZ Night there was rinRtns