Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1915-07-03
REVERED SYMBOLS
ROMANTIC HISTORY
- Old Bell Used on Numerous Historic Occd-
sionS in Addition to Its Announcing
of Declaration Signing

MoSs T. s5sse:t event: e The T''' +.
tory of this country, those of the
Revolutionary period, than any
other relic which remains to the Nation,
the Liberty Bell today occupies a
unique and impregnable position in the
minds Of the people OF the United
States
Accepted as the silent symbol of lib
erty by millions of Americans, cherished
as the most sacred relic in the country,
and guarded with the greatest care so
that it may remain for the coming gen.
erations, this old Bell. first hung in In,
dependence Hall 163 years ago, is grow
ing each year more dear to the citizens
OF America.
Silent since July 1885, when it crack.
ed while being tolled for the funeral OBJ.
sequies of John Marshall. Chief Justice
of the United States, the Liberty Bell
nevertheless reflects more vividly than
anything else the days of the struggle of
the thirteen Colonies against Great Bri.
tain, and of the stirring DAY IN July,
11I6, when it sent great waves of sound
booming across the length and breadth
of Philadelphia, and incidentally the en-
tire country, as it announced the adop-
tion of the Declaration OF Independ.
ence.
On many occasions, before and after
that date, its tones sounded over the
city, each time marking some important
event in the life or history OF new
States. Washington, Jefferson, FRANKLIN.
Lafayette and other famous figures in
the country's history were laid to rest
while the great Bell tolled final prayer.
Most Famous Bell In World
No other bell in the entire world is
80 closely associated with events of such
momentous import to the human race.
From the trials of the Revolution the
Colonies came forth as united and a
free country with Constitution which
amplt1ed and emphasized the Inscription
upon the Bell which had sounded as the
Proclamation of Independence was
adopted" Proclaim Liberty throughout
ali the Land unto all the inhabitants
thereof, Lev. XIV, V, X"
Thousands of persons, visitors not only
from all States of the Union, but from
all countries In the world, annually 90
to Independence Hall that they may
see the famous emblem Of Liberty. occu.
pying the most prominent point in the
building, which has been characterized
"The Cradle of Liberty" Reverence.
respect, awe, and patriotism are kinded
in hundreds of persons as they stand in
front of the Bell, and think of the event:
in which it played a prominent part.
The Liberty Bell was ordered that
the need of the Assembly of the Prov.
ince of Pennsylvania for great bell to
sound on public occasions might be fill.
ed. In 1751 the fiftieth anniversary of
the granting of the second charter N
the city of Philadelphia by William
Penn was celebrated. and on that occa.
sion the Assembly decided that new
ard larger bell was needed. A commit.
tee was appointed to secure such a he'll
which was to be properly inscribed and
dedicated to Pennsylvania half-centurv
of prosperity under Penn's second char
ter.
Inscription Prophesy
To Isaac Norris, Thomas Leach and
Edward Warner was assigned the tasI
of procuring bell suitable for the
purposes of the Assembly. Norris. !
student of the Bible. selected the in
scription which in after years wa.
symbolic Of the greatest occasion in ths
proclaimed Liberty throughout ali ~
Land" In Norris day it was placed or
the Bell as a testimonial Of the Province
dedicated to what at that time had nrov
ed to be the most successful foundat;o,
of Universal Liberty in the world.
The Liberty Bell was first cast ;r
accordance with the order of the Sunerin
tendents Of the State House, in London /,
1852 Lester and Cist, of Whitechapel
were the makers. The Bell reached
Philadelphia in August, 1852, and wa,
erected on trusses in the State Hous,
ysrd. % that il might be tested.