Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-06-28

In the chair. and Thompson behind .
colonial desk with his large silver ink
well. sand sprinkler and pen receptacle.
is easily imagined. We also know that
Adams and Jefferson sat side by side IN
the great highbacked chairs for At
least a part OF that day. Today indie
pendence Hall. is the old statehouse IN
Philadelphia, remains about a. 1t was
on that 4th Of Jnly, and 50 as far a.
the setting the stage the drama 10 COM
pleted. but the drama itself is left for
us to supply.
An that we have left Of the record OF
that memorable day Is the text Of the
Declaration Of Independence. and rs that
represents what all brave American col.
on,sts were ready TO lay doyn their lives
for and what should be handed down to
US and guarded as courageously as II hao
been won, the Fourth OF July has amply
served its purpose and deserved its one
monument, The Spirit Of Liberty for
All"
Whether or not the Declaration Of In
dependence was signed on the 9Th OK
July. 1915, by any but Hancock, as presi-
dent of the Continental Congress, and
Thompson, as secretary, is a matter OF
doubt. for the journal entry records
signed by order of and In behalf OF Con-
xress." Jefferson himself made con-
aicting statements regarding TINS Ques-
ton.
He wrote to Samuel A. Wells that all
delegates except John Dickinson signed
the resolution that evening. but at an
other time he said that fair copy
was made for the members to sign II
this is so John Thompson. as secretary.
probably made the copy. Many argue that
the whole of the Congress must have
signed the declaration for the responsi-
bility of adopting such an important
measure should not have been borne by
Hancock and Thompson alone.
The force of such an argument is par
TALLY destroyed by others who contend
that every one of the thirteen colonies
had assumed its share of the RESPONSE
bility in placing itself on record July 2.
when the Declaration Of Independence
was unanimously accepted. Some contend
that the delegates met Informally on the
morning of the 9Th of July and signed
the document. Whether or not the sigma
lures were affixed on the 4th of July.
Congress act was official on that day
that Jefferson's Declaration Of Indepen-
dence was acceptable to every colony.
And so 1t resolved that copies should be
sent throughout the new-formed republic.
The general assemblies. conventions.
councils. committees OF safety and the
commanding officers of the Continental
Army had to be informed of the indie
pendence of the United States These
copies were signed by Hancock and
Thompson. The Congressional Record OF
July 10, shows that a resolution was in
troduced in the national assembly to the
effect that the declaration should be en-
crossed on parchment and presented for
the signature of every member on the
ID of August
This fact, therefore, serves as authority
that the parchment copy signed on that
day in August. after 1t had been COM
pared with the fair copy and the latter
destroyed. is the copy Of the Declaration
of Independence which was considered
for so many years the original draft of the
great bill of rights of the American peo-
Pile It is said that even this signing was
entered into with fear and trembling.
Adams offered to guide the nervous.
shaking hand of Stephen Hopkins. but
that signer refused the offer. answering
that though his hand trembled his heart
remained firm. Carroll who possessed
great wealth, was either fearless of the
consequences Of the war. or man willing
to take great chances. for as he affixed
his signature to the document murmur
was heard.
There 60 a few millions" said some
one who knew that this rich mans prop
erty would be seized by the British In the
event Of American defeat.
Then" said Carroll as he wrote "of
Carrollton" after his name. L will tell
his majesty where to find mo-"
r
John Hancock, who had probably ~.
covered from the first shudder Of signing
his name. as he had already affixed his
signature to other copies. boldly asserted
at that time that he would write his
name large enough for the king to see 1t
without his glasses. The delegates from
New York and those newly elected from
Pennsylvania who had been sent in place
Of the men formerly opposing the declare
ton. as well as John Morris. signed tho
document on that date, the ID Of August.
Mexican was allowed to sign later be-
cause he was absent from Congress on
that date, and newly elected members
were allowed the same privilege as late
as November.
Satisfied that the signed parchment was
lasting evidence Of the birth of the new
nation. Congress took no further Official
action regarding the instrument itself
until January. 1777.
By that time the new republic began to
feel its strength, and Congress decided to
promulgate the names of the signers of
the Declaration of Independence by order
ing that printed copies of the document
should be made, with the names of the
signers added. These were to be sent to
every state, with the request that the
declaration be put in the assembly rec
ords.
T; Mary Katharine Goddard woman who
carried on the printing business on Broad
side. Baltimore. probably never heard OF
woman's rights. yet It so happened that
1t became her right to print these copies
of the American bill of rights, as she was
then conducting the print shop In which
her brother, William Goddard. had failed
sine time before.
From these copies numerous others were
soon made, until before long every home
boosted at least one copy of the original
document which gave life to our republic.
Stranue Burial Ceremony,