The Ekalaka eagle. [volume] (Ekalaka, Mont.) 1909-1920, 1915-04-16
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Upon being hung and tested. how
ever. at the first stroke of the clapper
the bell cracked and had to be taken
down for recasting. 1t was at first de-
cided TO return the bell to London for
this purpose, but q local firm OF found
ers, Pass & Stow, We're employed in
stead. and the bell was broken up and
recast in March, 1853. This firm added
a certain amount of copper to the orig
inal alloy, which made the bell unsat-
isfactory in its tone, SO that a third
casting became necessary, this time
with perfect success.
The bell was placed in its resting
place early in June, 1853. and was used
to mark tine hour at which the courts
convened, to call the assembly to-
gether, and later On, when the first
mutterings Of that great struggle for
equal and just rights We're heard, its
muft1ed tones gave note to the resent
ment of an angry population as they
in the shadow Of the old s%tatehouse
gave to the flames the burning stamps
Of a foreign potentate.
On July so, 1868, the old sentinel
again called together the freemen OF
the city to consider what instructions
should be given to their representa-
tives, and it was then md there re-
solved that the colonists are reduced
to the level of slaves" From this time
forward the old bell spoke freely in
the cause Of freedom. and the senti-
ment engraved upon it became more
fully understood by the people.
Proclaim liberty throughout all the land
unto the Inhabitants thereof.-Leviticus
XIV, lu.
On the 1st of June, 1774. the flying
Of the flags at half mast and the muf-
fled tones Of the bell announced the
closing Of the port Of Boston.
On April "a, lI15, the tidiugs OF the
conflict at Lexington reached rhiladel-
phia. and at the stroke of the bell
10000 people met beneath its shadow
and swore to defend with arms the
righteousness of the cause of freedom.
July 4, 1875.
ON the 10th of May. li1l, The. bpll
again sent forth lis call for the meeting
Of the second continental congress-, and
from thcncefo.th its measured strokes
kept time Will, the life tlrol,s Of an
awakened and determined people.
July i, lac, the Declaration Of In
dependence was adopted. Congress was
assembled in the east room of the state
house, now known as Independence
hail.
The debat" had been in progress
since une :, when Richard Henry Lee
of Virginia rose III his place and offer
ed his famous r%cSnluiinn. as foIloWS.
'~lieS"lVeh. That these united colonies
are, ana OF right ought To he. free and
independent states" thereby lawn" HE
Foundation for the Immortal loclor,-
ton /" follow.
ON that cN"ntfnl day the streets OF
flnladriplIia We're crowded with 1hn,,.
slIhs %. 'lliZrne, anxious - learn TN.
decision of congress-. Tradition s,vs
that 'hr old gray haired bell riuo.r NJ
me Stal"llousr had lnkrn his pos, In
'he Steepl" III an early hour liza, H..
might O no tiinr in nmlnunci,r T.,
the people that their independence wa.
formally declared.
Hour after hour passed. TIN. orl NJ,
s''" ~'hll'''itht and muttrr-,i. .'Th.y
VIII never do it. they will never do # ),
suddenly he heard a Shout fron ,;.
grandson, whom he had stationed Mo-
10" TO give him warning Ring, RIM,
: They have signed" GraspiDy the rom.