Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-08-27

laBe. lney went their several ways, Knock
ing at this door and that
"The Colonel bids you come to the fort"
Clark made a simple, straightforward
speech that won the hearts of the people
This is part of what he said that day:
"Citizens of Kaskaskia, the King whom
you renounced when the English conquered
you, the great King of France has judged
for you and the French people Knowing
that the American cause is just, he is send
ing his fleets and regiments to fight for it
against the British King, who until now has
been your sovereign"
These words the village priest translated
to the people.
The Old Gascon Speaks
Out of the crowd an old man, with skull
cap resting his silvered hair emerged
tapping the ground uncertainty with his
gold headed cane.
Monsieur" he said tremulously you will
pardon an old man if he show feeling 1 am
born seventy year ago in Gascon. I inhabit
this country thirty year, and last night 1
think I not live any longer. Last night we
make our peace with the good God and come
here today to die, But we know you not"
he cried, with sudden and surprising vigor
"Iia we know you not They told us lies
and we were humble and believed But now
we are Americans" he cried, his voice
pitched high, as he pointed with trembling
arm to the Stars and Stripes above him
MES enfants, vive les Bostonpa!s Vive les
Americains Vive Monsieur lie Colonel Clark
sauveur de Kaskaskia!"
Colonel Clark took the old Gascon by the
hand' and all the people became his friends
Tor THIS and for other things he had done
and said that morning. He told them TO
iT1n IN biply
allegiance to the newborn nation.
The Kasllaskians trooped out of the gate
the good Father Gibault leading them as be-
fore. But presently the priest returned with
few followers to the place where Colonel
Clark was talking with his captains.
The Bell Rings Out
Father Gibault stepped SLOWLY forwora
and said:
II am Pere Glbault, sir. cure of I,os
kaskia. There is something that sim
troubles the good citizens"
And what is that sir?" asked C,arl,
The priest hesitated. Then he mada b,s
petition: MS
your Excellency will only allow the
church TO be opened -" he began
Clarks answer was kindly and emnbatio
MY good father" he said IAN American
commander has but one relation 20 o.,
church. And that is"-he added with foroo
TO protect it. For all religions are ao,,o,
before the Republic"
IN a moment the priest, looking at CIa,,,
win steadfast eyes, replied solemnlv.
by that answer your Excellency has
liaue Tor your Government loyal citizans a..
Kaskaskia" ''''Nehs IN
Inc news spread like wildhre. PresoDt
$3.50 ,ns oiu bronze bell in the little church
49,, sleu OUT the anthem of political and re
hslous liberty through Kaslyasl,is 80 -,
'he country round about.
Ihus 1t was that the Kaskastia hau 49,
the Liberty Bell of the West Ana Dsea"ie 's,'a Ie
was that the Americans came 10 Kasi,os1',. -
Ihere is much else to the stor,,. -
rather Slbault with one companinn -
.he uliiicult journey to Vincennes 10 ran, a,.,-
piench people there, and how he fo,,,,d
"i,iihs 10 welcome the Americana ana
-, &c i"uuoeu them to go in a body 10 tha
'hurch ana take the oath of allesioroa =.
the American colonies The pr,t1.s ~ "
nahoer was then absent in Detroit IT,
"a" Buyer himself came TO yinoannas
WIN ioree which he thought sufflcen, a.
ueiehu the Iort against the colonials. h,t A.
.i'e spring Clark with his little army on Ken,
,,,e.s auslhented by French KaskasA
pr,,a,,. ~,p s-peu4eu Ninesnnes and the Hair
the hands OF Clark and his ma, ~ 'heo
Western country was organized as u1,no,s
Nouhty Virginia. The French settlerna,s.s
Iemainea under American protection 81 ne
emu OF the war When peace came q ,vss
niafA conquest OF the Northwest that va,s
me nation It's claim to the territory that 8
now onio Indiana, Illinois. Wisconsin ane
o'nef sanes the kaskaskla bell has rune on.