Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1914-07-02
SIGNERS
or THE DECLARATION OF
AMERICAN INDEPENDENT

fTankllu ana lew olherS. But Wnat
about Josiah Bartlett, Thomas Nc
Kean. Charles Carroll, Robert Morris,
George Taylor. Edward Rutledge, John
Hart, Francis Lewis, Button Gwinnett
and aascore of others?
Fifty Of those Sc men were present
during the discussion and adoption of
the declaration, and, as delegates to the
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 1t, and were allowed
to sign. Thomas Jefferson, as the au-
thor of the declaration, attained a last
ing fame, as did John Hancock. pres
tdent OF the continental congress-.
But OF the men who stand outside
of h a ring of Immortality much can
be said. If Jefferson, Hancock and Lee.
were generals, the others We're 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-
lions. 1t required the signatures of
recognized delegates from each Of the
IL states to make. the declaration Of
independence complete.
SAS SSAA u 4ot years COulO Ne llLcu
and those days lived over again, it
would be interesting to see with what
emotions those men among men tool
the stand for independence. 1t 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 his country
its freedom. But it 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 We're creating.
The precise hour of the day of the
adoption of the declaration of indie
pendence is not determinable from
records. 1t is known. however, that
congress entered upon direct considera-
ton OF the question on the 1st 'of July,
1776, 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
laratlon to this committee. 1t was
Ricnar Henry Lees resolution that
ran: That these united colonies are,
n OF right ought to be, free and in
dependent states"
Benjamin Harrison, of Virginia, was
chosen chairman of the committee.
After a discussion lasting the entire
day the resolution was adopted. The
committee then esumed it's standing
as a 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 a declaration of independence,
h world" The consideration, con-
tinued throughout the Sd and 4th, it
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 81, Richard Henry Lee,
Elbridge Gerry n Oliver Wolcott in
September, Mathew Thornton the fol-
lowing November and Thomas Nc
Kean eve later, probably in 1881. Such
is the account of h 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
Mr.. Dickinson" The journal giving the
record of the congress states that it
was Signed by order and in behalf Of
congress. job Hancock, president. At
test: Charles Thomson, secretary"
The first celebration Of the went vas
~r...z@x, V,,I1 O 4 7Sc ~ %ho c%1+A
house grounds, Philadelphia, where
every eye 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
bonfres and great demonstrations Of
Joy.
In a letter John Adams wrote to
Samuel Chase on the 9th, he thus de-
scribes the occasion. This letter is now
in the possession Of the Massachu-
sets Historical society:
river is past and the bridge cut away.
The declaration was yesterday pub
lished and proclaimed from that awful
stage, in the s~tatehouse yard. by whom.
do you think? By the committee Of
safety, the committee Of inspection and
u 6IcdI COIRO. VI pSORlOs 11IcC Cllc0IS
rended the welkin. The b%attalions pa
raded on the common and gave US the
feu 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 acclamations Of a
crowd of spectators"
The men who gathered together early
In July, 1776, 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
a~griculturists, four physicians, one a
minister. one manufacturer, nine mer-
chants and three who had been edu-
Gated for the ministry. but who later
followed other professions. Although
Ct the time of the signing the declara-
ton he majority Of h men were be-
tween 40 and GO years Of age, several
were in the early 30s. and two 81. The
youngest signer was Edward Rutledge,
of North Carolina. who was not q I'M
til about four months after the sign
ing. The other was Thomas Lynch, jr.,j
who celebrated his 9th birthday three