Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1915-06-30

lasted over until the next and 50 July q Wouio
have become the birthday instead Of July 4
p Toward evening the discomfort Of the as
sembly was increased on account OF the sWarms
of flies which came from nearby livery stable
into the hall OF legislature. These pests were 80
audacious In assaults upon the statesmen that
Jefferson said their annoyance helped bring the
matter to a conclusion and Harrison reported
the declaration to congress as accepted Stnousn
in the minutes Of that day the declaration was at
first left out on account of the vengeance OF hns
land. 45fgsy q s-E.$s =, : r.. Et.-s
Today independence hall in the old state house
in PHILADELPHIA remains about as 1t was on that
July a. and SO as far the setting OF the stage
the drama is complete, but the drama 1!seH ID
left for US to supply. 4 ->g>.g = Ky. -
All that we have left OF the record OF INA.
memorable day is the text of the Declaration OF
Indenendence and as that represents what all
brave American colonists were ready to lay down
their lives for and what should be handed Gown
to us and guarded as courageously as ~ hau
been won, the Fourth of July has amply served
its purpose and deserved Its one monument len'
"The Spirit OF Liberty for All"
Iwhether or not the Declaration of indie
pendence was signed on July 4, 1776, by any but
Hancock, as president OF the Continental con
gress and Thompson, as secretary ls n!at'ei
of doubt, for the journal entry records signed
by order of and in behalf OF congress. 32S en A
son himself made conflicting statements Ieea1uu'
ing this question. H. - s% -. $4&E@2 " VA
a some contend that the delegates met Informal
w on the morning Of July and signed the docu
ment. Whether or not the signatures were a.
fixed on July 4, congress- act was on1clal on tnat
day that JefYersons Declaration OF independence
was declared acceptable to every colony. And so
it resolved that copies should be sent tnrousnoue
the new-formed republic.
The general assemblies, conventions councils
committees of safety and the commanding omcers
of the Continental army had to be informed OF
the independence of the United States. These
copies were signed by Hancock and Thompson
The Congressional Record of July 10 shows that
a resolution was introduced in the national as
sembly to the effect that the declaration should
be engrossed parchment and presented Tor the
signature Of every member on August O.
i This fact. therefore, serves as authority that
the parchment copy signed on that day IN August
after it had been compared with the fair copy
and the latter destroyed, is the copy Of the Dec
laration of Independence which was considered
for so many years the original draft of the great
bill of rights of the American people 1t is said
that even this signing was entered into with rear
and trembling" ~. 49, .&EFg#
lasting evidence Of the birth of the new nation,
congress took no further official action regarding
the instruments itself until January, 1777. i,
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 In
dependence Dy ordering pIiAteu Gop1eS u tAo
document should be made, with the names OF the
signers added. $Ls$8<
=. Mary Katharine Goddard, woman who car.
ried on the printing business on Broadside, Bal
timore probably never heard Of woman's rights,
yet it so happened that it became her right to
print these copies of the American bill Of rights.
= From these copies numerous others were soon
made until before long every home boasted at
least one copy of the original document which
gave life to republic. s'sE>i q