Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1915-07-02

IT'LL lN SW Hill has become common heritage OF
lIlkllPN66GINI the people of our land. Many an
iI01T--JI0ll American considers it a part 0r
a patriotic duty to muse upon the
imaginative picture entitled "The First Fourth
of July" which some historical writer has painted
upon his vision.
In fancy he sees independence hall in Phila-
dephia and the Continental congress with its
ruff1ed shirts, long cloth coats, knee pants, silk
stockings and low shoes sitting with dignity, but
listening spellbound to a wonderfully strange and
entirely new document called "The Declaration OF
independence
In fancy he even hears the popular acclaim
of '"That is just what we all say!" and ct is
well worded Mr.. Jefferson" Then the mind pic
lures the various delegates to congress hasten
ing forward eager for the honor of fixing their
signatures to a sheepskin document.
The scene changes to the ringing of the great
liberty bell, to the assembling Of the people at
Philadelphia who applauded the reading of this
bill of rights and to the final closing of the day
with every man, and child in Philadel-
phia happy because he is no longer British
subject having become a free American in a
single day.
Such a vision pictures heroic scene: but the
true record of events does not affirm that these
Eo-caled happenings took place on that me-
morabe day. By plotting out the imperfect de-
tails of the picture the Fourth of July is in no
way robbed of any of its glory.
An authentic account of what transpired at
July from one day to about sixty in which the
whole history of national liberty is told and
the heroic heartthrobs of the sorely tried colo
nists are keenly felt
The day itself properly symbolizes the liberty
for which the patriots of that time stood ready
to sacrifice their lives Mn order to launch the
United States national craft which should
be anchored by weight of foreign despotism.
1t a time of danger when brother friend
and neghbor became estranged by reason of
political opinion. Some colonists still loved the
mother country with true English pride, while
others were so embittered by the injustice of the
sovereign across the seas that they willingly
gave their all to the cause of the people Of the
new land
During the latter part of 1774 George Wash
ington himself wrote that no thinking man
among the colonsts wanted to separate from
England and Franklin ridiculed the idea.
During the early days Of the revolution the
3luecoats never dreamed of separating from the
beloved land or their ancestors In fact, such
course would have been condemned by Ameri-
cans themselves treason. Jefferson declared
that prior to April 10, 1775 he had heard whis-
per of the disposition of anyone to stand from
under the governmental power of Great Britain.
The inevitable however, came with the spring
OF 1875 when local assemblies began formal dis
cusson regarding the liberty Of coonists. These
legislative bodies possessed but little power, but
they did great part in crystallizing the senti-
ment for independence in many quarters and
forcing those opposed to the idea to declare their
fnimical attitude.
The good work of these small legislative bodies
was reflected and magnifed as soon as the dele
gates were sent to the Continental congress.
Then the spirit Of liberty permeated the very at
mosphere of the national assembly and many an
individual received the courage to align himself
with the new cause
If, June z 1776, there had been an extra
paper to have informed the public of the latest
political news one might have read the farng
headlines Richard Henry Lee Of Virginia the
Man of the Hour" for it was he who on that day
started the Fourth of July. It was this south.
erner who introduced the first declaration of In
dependence in congress declaring the American
people free
Good Judgment dictated the caution of omit
ting John Adams name from the minutes. as
the second to that motion, yet the fact is known
today, when there is army OF redcoats wait
ing to seize patriots rebels
Too much praise cannot be given to the In
PRODUCTION of Lees resolution. yet it was to the
credit of the Continental congress that action
was not forced upon such an important measure
at that time. 1t could not have succeeded until
all objections had been silenced all fears of
England's success allayed, until all were con-
scientiously convinced that the cause of liberty
was just. 1t was imperative that all should look
the Goddess of Liberty squarely in the face with
devotion to follow where she should lead.
AS no agreement could be reached June Z
the resolution was laid until the next day,
when it was again postponed for consideration un-
til July L
In order that the of liberty should not
be retarded during this wait, congress ct that