Gilpin observer., 1914-07-02

unfamiliar with the history of
the most famous edifice in America. They may
not know that 1t begun in 1929 and finished
in 1874, and that in those days the plan OF it
considered paatally ambitious that its
building bitterly opposed by those who, like
John Gilpn's wife, were of a frugal mind. The
cost $16.250. and the wings that were added
five years afterward brought the total amount to
$4,000. Doubtless there were many who dubious
ly shook their heads at the extravaganza What
would they have thought of city hall occupying
several acres and costing $24 100000?
Although in the Immediately preRevolutionary
days the purpose to which Independence hall
put serious enough the long gallery
upstairs had often been the scene Of "revelry
by night" before those times that tried mems
souls. In 1876 the mayor William Allen, invited
most Of Philadelphia to feast: in 1855 the as
sembly gave Governor Denny most pretentious
banquet; and again. in 1857, Lord Loudon. COM
mander-inchef Of his majesty's forces in Amer
lea, lavishly- entertained, and the unlimited
grumbed at the outlay.
When the first congress met in Philadelphia,
in 1774 there was a "sumptuous collation." in
the State house, attended by 500 persons, and
they drank their toasts cannon were fired, as
happened In the of Hamlet's unamiable
father. The same hall that the scene of
these elaborate banquets became the prison Of
the American officers captured in the battle Of
Germantown and after the bloody field of Brandy
wine 1t was hospital. .l.
II was in this building that Washington de-
livered his memorable farewell address; Lafay-
ette the guest OF honor here at reception
in 1924: and here the bodies Of John Adams and
Abraham Lincoln lay in state. piss sr
Thus 1t will be seen that the social and historic
associations of the edifice innumerable, leav-
ing out of the reckoning what happened there
the Fourth OF July. 1776.
The signers of the Declaration came near not
having a bell to announce their epoch-making
resolution to the world AS the building
completed. in 1894 It planned to buy
bell commensurate with the dignity OF the new
State house. Then the advocates of economy
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 It was decided TO have
n bell; and II then discovered that there
not foundry in the colonies capable OF fashion
ing It. the repressive policy of parliament hav-
ing wellnigh destroyed manufacturing enterprise
in the world. So the colonists had to send
to London for bell, giving specific directions
rs to the dimensons-the weight was 2.030
pounds.
When at last It arrived. in 1852. II was more
than nine days wonder; the Pennsylvania farm
ers hocked to the wharf from far inland to
claim its arrival. II proved all that any
able mortal could want in the way of n tintinnab-
ulum Its tones were far-carrying and sweet
ly musical, and all trueborn Phadelphans (in-
cluding those who had opposed the expense)
proud OF II. Alas! It being trans
ported with festal ceremony from the waters
edge to the intended site in the belfry some ner-
vous weakling gave way beneath his corner OF
the ton of metal and the bell fell to the ground
and mortally injured. It had to be recast,
and Isaac Norris. who superintended the opera
ton. announced with pride that the result was
"a good bell. which pleases me much that we
should first venture upon and succeed in the
greatest bell. for aught know in English Amer
ica-surpassing too the imported one. which was
too high and brittle" s1'
The great occasion in the life of the Liberty
Bell not due to arrive untn - years after
ward. II was on the 18th Of May. 1776. that the
general assembly gave instructions 10 IT. dele