The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1914-07-02

N.Y. sacred shrine, and yet q great many
are unfamiliar with the history Of
the most famous ediflce in America. They may
not know that 1t was begun in 1929 and finished
In 1874. and that In those days the plan Of 1t
was considered paatally ambitious that its
building was bitterly opposed by those who. like
John Gilpin's wife, were Of q frugal mind. The
cost was 316250. and the wings that we're added
fve year, afterward brought the total amount to
$4,000. Doubtless there were many who dubious
ly shook their heads at the extravagance. What
would they have thought Of city hail occupying
several acres and costing $4,000 900!
Although in the Immediately preRevolutionary
days the purpose to which Independence hall
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 q feast: in 1856 the A.
sembly gave Governor Denny . most pretentious
banquet; and again. in 1887, Lord Loudon. COM
manderinchief Of his majestys forces In Amer
lea, was lavishly entertained. and the uninvited
grumbled at the outlay.
When the first congress met in PHILADELPHIA
in 1774, there was "sumptuous collation." in
the State house. attended by 500 persons, and
a. they drank their toasts cannon were nred
happened in the Of Hamlet's unamiable
father. The same hall that was the scene OF
these elaborate banquets became the prison Of
the American ofhcers captured In the battle Of
Germantown, and after the bloody field Of Brandy
wine It was q hospital.
It was in this building that Washington de-
livered his memorable farewell address, Lafay-
ette was the guest Of honor hero at a reception
IN 1924; and here the bodies Of John Adams and
Abraham Lincoln lay in state.
Thus It will be seen that the social and historic
associations Of the ediQce are innumerabe. leav-
ing out Of the reckoning what happened there on
the Fourth OF July, 1916
The signers of the Declaration came near not
having bell to announce their epoch-making
1Nt% tn trA A..n
was completed. in 1894 It was planned to buy a
bell commensurate with the dignity Of the new
State house. Then the advocates Of economy
or parsimony-arose in their might and fought
the project tooth and nail. representing that the
great cost Of the State house had imposed
heavy tax upon the citizens and further expendi-
ture was useless" After several years Of more
or less acrimonious debate 1t was decided to have
bell; and 1t was then discovered that there was
not foundry in the colonies capable Of fashion
fng IT. the repressive policy OF parliament hav-
ing wel.nigh destroyed manufacturing enterprise
In the new world So the colonists had to send
to London for bell. giving specific directions
rs to the dimensions-the weight was 2080
pounds
When at last It arrived. in 1883, 1t was more
than a nine days wonder: the Pennsylvania farm.
ers focked to the wharf from far inland to ac-
claim its arrival It proved all that any reason.
able mortal could want in the way Of a tintinnab-
uum Its tones were farcarrying and sweet
ly musical. and all true-born Philadelphians Tin.
cluding those who had opposed the expense)
were proud of II. Alas! as II was being trans
ported with festal ceremony from the waters
edge to the intended site in the belfry some nes>
vous weakling gave way beneath his corner Of
the ton Of metal and the bell fell to the ground
and was moetally injured II had to be recast,
and Isaac Norris. who superintended the opera,
tloa. announced with pride that the result was
= good ben. which pleases me much that 10
sAould nrst venture upon and succeed In the
srsatest bell for aught I know. in English Ames.
ica-urpassins. too the imported one which WAS
TOO high and brittle"
The great occasion in the life Of the Liberty
Dou was not due to arrive untn - years aftse>
ward. II was on the 18th Of May, 177e. that the
Aunseal assembly gave instructions 70 its dele