Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1910-06-30

of Independence prepared by committee OF nve,
headed by Thomas Jefferson, was discussed and
accented. the resolution for independence was as
these letters show, really adopted July 2.
It took a long time for the petitioners OF the
colonies to conceive Of independence. LeaueIe
like Samuel Adams waxed impatient with those
who believed O peaceful settlement OF the uouOle
was possible without separation from the motner
country Yet Washington In the nrst congress
denied that the colonies desired or that 1t was 10
their interest to set up for independence. Frank
lin looked upon It as an event which, II 1t must
come was lamentable
Lexington and Concord and Bunker hill favored
the radicals. June Z, 1776. Richard Henry Lee OF
the Virginia delegation, following the instructions
which he had received from the council OF VIZ
ginia presented a resolution, THAT these unteo
colonies are and Of right ought to be free ana
independent states; that they are absolVed' from
all ALLEGIANCE to the British crown; that all polit
cal connection between them and Great Britain
IA and ought to be totally dissolved" John Adams
seconded the motion and debate followed. There
are no authentic reports Of these debates. The
war had not yet been won. Public report OF what
was said would have been Of extreme danger to
these men, who, indeed, would have been hanged
had good King George been able to get them' but
hanging men is like making rabbit pie-you must
first catch the rabbit.
support Of the measure were John and Samuel
Adams, Roger Sherman, oliver Wolcott, Richard
Henry Lee and George Wythe. Those opposing
were probably John Dickinson, John Jay, James
Wilson and Robert r. Wilson. 1t appeared that
four New England colonies. Massachusetts,, Rhode
Island, New Hampshire, Connecticut, and three
southern colonies Virginia, Georgia and North
Carolina were prepared to vote at once In the
affirmative, but as unanimity was desired a final
vote vas postponed until July 1, and a committee
compored Of Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Frank
lin, John Adams, Roger Sherman and Robert R.
Livingston, was appointed to prepare q formal
statement for the world.
Lee, the mover Of the resolution, would per-
haps have been named chairman of the committee
had not his wife fallen iii. As II was, Jefferson
received the honor and save for a few alterations
by Franklin and Adams the Declaration Of indie
pendence was written by him. The original draft
in the state department in Washington, save for
these interlineations by Franklin and Adams Is
N his handwriting
July debate was resumed on the Lee resolu-
ton. July 2 all the delegates but those from New
York voted in favor of It and It Of this action
that John Adams wrote to his wife. The original
resolution having been carried, the formal decla-
ration prepared by the committee 10 show due
respect for the opinions Of mankind was reported
and discussed until late July 4, wheC It was finally
accepted and signed by the president Of the con-
gress, John Hancock, ant tie secretary. Within
q week the provincial congress Of New York ex-
pressed its approval August en- engrossed copy
Of the declaration was laid before congress and
received the signatures OF delegates frOm Is col