Evening star., 1912-06-30

vania's delegates caused but five of the
nine votes to be cast, but as John Nor
ton cast the third of the asserting bal
lots Pennsylvania was won for the
patriots. New York. whose representatives
favored the resolution. was not represent
ed in the ballot, for her provincial gov
ernment had given no authority to the
delegates to vote. The only colony whose
delegates were unfavorable was South
Carolina, and so at the request OF Rut-
ledge the final vote was postponed until
the next day. July ,.
Then came the stormy debate. led in
the affirmative by no less parsonage
than John Adams. arguing, as he said, IKE
one feeling himself oppressed with the
weight Of the subject and the mo-
nervousness of the occasion Webster
swim. live or die, survive or perish, | give
my hand and my heart to this vote won
many doubling Thomas.
John Dickinson of Pennsylvania replied
grace, for he wished to convince the as
sembly of his integrity. In his opinion
the trouble with England was not to be
settled by arms. His gloomy tempera-
ment could foresee nothing but disaster
to an act so impetuous.
When the final vote was taken that day
there was a unanimous acceptance OF
the Declaration of Independence by all
thirteen colonies The Importance with
which this congressional action was held
Adams in letter to his wife. He wrote:
Yesterday the greatest question was
decided which was ever debated in Amer
lea, and a greater. perhaps, never was
nor will be decided among men"
In another letter written the same day
he declared that the I'd of July would be
the most memorable epoch in the history
of America, and that he believed the ami
versary of the day would be celebrated
by succeeding generations as great fes-
tival.
1T ought" he wrote, Ito be cOmmemor-
ated as a day of deliverance by solemn
acts and devotion to God Almighty
Further. he declared that the day should
be celebrated with pomp and parade
shows, games, sports guns, bell, bonfires
and illuminatiOns from one end of the
continent to the other forevermore.
Even though the Declaration had been
accepted by Congress on the I'd, the legis-
lature sat as a committee of the whole to
further discuss the Jefferson resolution
the next day. Then many slight altera-
tons were made, some amendments added
and several portions censur1ng the Eng
lish omitted, as were also clauses con-
corning slave trade.
On the Fourth of July Congress again
assembled, almost Immediately resolving
itself into committee for the considera-
tion of the Declaration of independence.
After some time the president resumed
the chair and Mr.. Harrison, the great
grandfather of President Benjamin Harri-
son, reported that his committee had
agreed to the Declaration which they de-
sired him to report.
This item in the minutes was care
fully written to be known for what it
did not say rather than for the informa-
ton it would impart. What took place
during the long discussion is not actual
ly known. Not a single speech was re-
ported, neither were the sentiments of
those opposed to the Declaration made
public, for the influences of such exam
pies were thought harmful to the cause
of independence.
Secret journals were kept. but who pos
sessed them was not divulged Closed
doors were necessary. for the daring of
the colonists in accepting the resolution
had almost exceeded their strength to
uphold it, In the excitement it is prob
able that no such things as notes for
posterity We're thought OF, but an exact
ing people reviewing the drama today
would feel satisfaction in knowing the
hundred and one things which gave color
to the stage of that heroic play"
Years afterward Adams wrote that he
recollected sitting next to DIR. Franklin
during some of the debates, which. au-
thorities say, lasted nine hours in ALL
He observed that 1 was writhing lit-
tie under the acrimonious criticism of
way of comfort he told me the story of
John Thompson, the halter, and his new
sign," said Adams.
The debates which lasted through the
weary. warm hours when the delegates
were swathed with heavy stocks, were