The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1914-07-02

~ - MIL the year 177s me historic
ID :: ! : J. !: J ! !.
NtW<8ZXM shrine OF American liberty in Phila,
-RNzHzX deiphia was known as the State
"f house: but after that Il was called
AUh Independence hall Thousands have
hHH made their reverent pilgrimage
VWUW thither from distant places as TO q
N.Y. sacred shrine. and yet great many
unfamiliar with the history OF
the most famous edifice In America They may
not know that II was begun ip 1928 and finished
In 1874 and that In those days the plan OF Il
considered so paatially ambitious that it's
building was bitterly opposed by those who. like
John Gipin's wife. were OF frugal mind. The
cost was Sl6-250 and the wings that we're added
five years afterward brought the total amount to
s2S.O00 Doubtless there we're many who dubious
ly shook their heads at the extravaEanee. What
would they have thought of city hall occupying
several acres and costing s24.00O.oOOf
Although In the Immediately pre.Revolutionary
days the purpose to which Independence hall
was put was serious enough the long gallery
upstairs had often been the scene of "revelry
by night" before those times that tried mems
souls. In 1886 the mayor. William Allen invited
most Of Philadelphia to a feast: in 1855 the
sembly gave Governor Denny a most pretentious
banquet and again. IN 1857. Lord Loudon. com
manderin-chief OF his majesty's forces in Amer
lea. was lavishly entertained. and the unlimited
grumbled at the outlay.
When the first congress met In Philadelphia
in 177a. there "sumptuous collation." in
the State house. attended by 500 persons. and
they drank their toasts cannon were fired
happened in the case OF Hamlets unamiable
father The same haIi that was the scene Of
these elaborate banquets became the prison OF
the American officers captured 10 the battle OF
Germantown, and after the bloody field OF Brandy
wine II hospital
II was in this building that Washington do
livered MS memorable farewell address; IAfay.
cite the guest OF honor here at a reception
In A. md haFa he hodf NJ In I'm nd
Abraham Lincoln lay In state.
Thus Il VIII be seen that the social and historic
associations OF the edince are innumerable. leav-
ing out OF the reckoning what happened there on
the Fourth OF July. fT76
The signers of the Declaration came near not
having a bell TO announce their epochm making
resolution to the world As the building
completed IN 1874. IL planned to buy a
bell commensurate with the dignity OF the new
State house. Then the advocates OF economy
parsimony-a IN their might and fought
the project tooth and nail. representing that the
great cost OF the State house had imposed a
heavy tar upon the citizens and further expendi-
ture was useless" After several years Of more
less acrimonious debate II decided 20 have
bell and II then discovered that there was
not foundry in the colonies capable of fashion
ing It. the repressive policy Of parliament hav.
ing well-nigh destroyed manufacturing enterprise
In the world. So the colonists had TO send
TO London for a bell giving specific directions
as to the dinensions-the weight 1000
pounds.
When at last Il arrived. IN 1854 II was more
than nine days wonder: the Pennsylvania farm
noeked 20 the wharf from far inIand 20 &C
claim its arrival II proved all that any reason
able mortal could want I'm the way Of q tintinnAb-
ulum. Its tones were faT-earryinE and sweet
~ musical and all true-born PhIiadeiphians fin-
Guiding those who had opposed the expensel
proHd Of r. Alas II was being trans
ported with festsi ceremony from the waters
edge 70 the intended site IN the bsifry some nsr
weskling gave way beneath his corner %
tie ton OF metal and the bell fell 20 the ground
and mortaiy injured u had 20 be recast
and isaac Norris. who eHperintsnded the opera
tion. announced with pride that the result
"A good bsll which pieases mneh that
should first venture upon and succeed In the
greatest bell fer snEht know. In English Amer
.cs--surpaEHing, 500. the imported one. uhich
too HIGH and brittle
The great occasion IN The lie o. the Liberty
Bell was not due 10 arrive until - years after
wArd II vas on the 18th Of May l77g that the
ge3sral assembly gave Instructions to its dele