The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1914-07-02

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about Josiah Bartlett, Thomas Nc
Kean, Charles Carroll, Robert Morris,
George Taylor, Edward Rutledge. John
Hart, Francis Lewis Button Gwinnett
and q score of others?
Fifty OF those Sc men were present
during the discussion and adoption OF
the declaration, and as delegates TO the
continental congress-, were essential
factors in its ultimate ratification. The
other six, elected members Of congress
later, nevertheless took part In the
general movement by signifying them
selves In favor Of 81, and We're allowed
TO sign. Thomas jefferson. as the au-
thor of the declaration, attained last
ing fame. as did John Hancock, pres
ident Of the continental congress-
But OF the men who stand outside
OF that ring Of immortality much can
be said. If jefferson Hancock and Lee
were generals. the others were at the
same time essential TO the declaration.
They, as much as the others, affixed
their names TO what was at that time
an extremely dangerous document.
They, as well as the others, burned
their bridges behind them and took
their stand firmly upon their convic-
tons. IT. required the signatures OF
recognized delegates from each Of the
Is states to make the declaration OF
Independence complete.
III the veil OF 1877 years could be lifted
and those days lived over again, 1t
would be interesting to see with what
emotions those men among men took
the stand for independence. IT would
be inspiring to hear the tone in which
each gave his answer when called upon
to vote for or against the ratification
OF that which was to give this country
Its freedom. But IL would have been
even more dramatic to have lowered
near the desk on which the declaration
lay and watched each man as he came
forward and affixed his signature, a
lasting testimonial to the world, and
Great Britain, especially, of the cour-
age for and faith in the new country
these men were creating.
The precise hour of the day of the
adoption OF the declaration of indie
pendence IL not determinable from
records. 1t is known, however, that
congress entered upon direct considera-
IT'S, by voting to resolve itself into a
committee of the whole to consider the
resolution introduced by Richard Henry
Lee. and to refer the draft Of the dec
laration to this committee. 1t was
Richard Henry Lees resolution that
ran: That these united colonies are,
and Of right ought to be, free and In
Benjamin Harrison, of Virginia, was
chosen chairman OF the committee.
After a discussion lasting the entire
day the resolution was adopted. The
committee then resumed its standing
as congress, and President Hancock
received Mr.. Harrison's report. 1t was
then voted to postpone action on the
resolution until the following day. This
course of procedure was carried out,
and so the I'd of July is the real inde-
pendence day. The resolution adopted,
congress again resolved itself into a
committee Of the whole ito consider
draft Of declaration of independence,
or the form OF announcing the fact to
the world" The consideration, con-
tinued throughout the Sd and 4th, 1t
being on the evening Of the latter day
that the committee arose, President
Hancock resumed the chair and Chair
man Harrison reported that the draft
had been agreed upon. 1t was then
adopted by congress.
The draft was ordered on the 10th of
July to be engrossed, and on August
2 the engrossed copy was signed by
so members George Wythe signed
about August %, Richard Henry Lee,
Elbridge Gerry and Oliver Wolcott in
September, Mathew Thornton the fol-
lowing November and Thomas Nc
Kean even later, probably In 1881. Such
is, the account Of the signing as rec
ognized in an official history of the
declaration, despite the fact that, In
recording the happening of the Fourth
of July, Jefferson himself said: The
declaration was reported by the COM
mittee, agreed to by the house, and
signed by every member present except
Mr. Dickinson" The journal giving the
record of the congress states that IL
was signed by order and in behalf of
congress. John Hancock, president. At
test: Charles Thomson. secretary
The first celebration Of the event was
Thursday. July 8, 1776, In the state
house grounds, Philadelphia, where
every eve could gaze upon the bell that
proclaimed liberty throughout the
world. The declaration Itself was read
TO a large gathering OF people by John
Nixon. The kings arms were taken
down In the court room IN the state
house, and in the evening there were
bonfires and great demonstrations or
Joy.
Samuel Chase on the 9Th, he thus de-
scribes the occasion. This letter is now
in the possession OF the Massachu-
setts Historical society:
you will see by this post that the
river is past and the bridge cut away.
The declaration was yesterday pub
lished and proclaimed from that awful
stage, in the statehouse yard. by whom.
do Won think? BY the committee OF
safety. the committee of inspection and
a great corwd of people Three cheers
rended the welkin. The battalions pa
raded on the common and gave us the
leu de Joy, Notwithstanding the scare
ity of powder. The bells rang all day,
and almost all night. Even the chimers
chimed away
-" in the evening our late kings
coat of arms was brought from the
hall, in the statehouse where the said
kings courts were formerly held, and
burned amidst the acclanlations Of a
crowd Of spectators"
The men who gathered together early
in July, 1875, to consider the question
OF independence represented many
professions and ages. OF the Sc men
who constituted all OF the signers Of
the declaration, "a were lawyers, IA
agriculturists, four physicians, one
minister, one manufacturer, nine mer-
chants and three who had been edu-
Gated for the ministry, but who later
followed other professions. Although
at the time of the signing the declara-
ton the majority OF the men were be-
tween 40 and so years of age, several
were in the early 90s and two "a. The
youngest signer was Edward Rutledge,
OF North Carolina. who was not ~ un-
til about four months after the sign
a. rIrr-- a..