The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1915-07-09
THE PROCLAMATION OF I'M
DEPENDENCE.

GLORIOUS is the history of the Lib
erty Bell, always the voice of free.
dom. World important were all it's
Peals. Many of them called to the
Gtate House, and afterwards TO In
dependence Hall, a far greater con-
course OF people that that which as
semDled there July 8, l776, to answer
ITS summons. No occasion stands
l0rth is history however, as majestic
ally as that.
And yet at the time of occurrence
1t was of no widespread interest, No
great multitude gathered behind the
otate House, around the platform of
Whlch mas been set up in the north
east corner to observe the transit of
Venus. Fancy and fiction have paint
ed the scene in high colors; fact made
1t sombre. The little throng breath
ed the atmosphere of seriousness, sol
emnlty, gravity. Its thoughts were
too profound in study how liberty
could be won against apparently in
superable odds to become ecstatic
over resolutions. Through the vista
OF years the words of Jefferson seem
OF Divine inspiration. The throng
which convened at the Bells call re-
celved them reverently. But its
thoughts were on deeds rather than
words. Their significance to the Col
onles, to the Nation which develop
ed, to all America, North and South,
to all the civilized world, was not
then as now appreciated.
The proclamation of the Dcclara-
ton Of Independence was in the eyes
OF NO grave step, and yet perhaps
scarcely more SO than other occas-
ions which had preceded it. 1t was
but the climax of series of public
gatherings, each of which had gon
Just a.little further than the one be-
fore towards the goal of liberty and
freedom.
In June preceding Richard Henry
Lee offered his memorable resolutions
that these Colonies are and Of a
right ought to be free and independ-
ent States" A committee chosen by
ballot submitted on June 18th the
Declaration which Jefferson penned.
July LIST was determined as the date
for final consideration, but the day
passed on, and on July End the Lee
resolutions were adopted. The fate
full step had been taken. Independ-
ence was determined on. Secret de-
bate continued on the Declaration,
and on July 4th there was agreed on
public statement in the form of the
Declaration of to-day, of what Con-
gress had adopted July End.
Decision was not unanimous. Pa
triots opposed as strenuously as others
| advocated +l,;r -o,o1,,E,D,,
ried:
That the Sheriff of Philadelphia
read or cause to be read and proclaim.
ed at the State House, in the City Of
Philadelphia, on Monday, the 9Th day
of July, inst, at II o'clock at moor
of this same day, the Declaration O.
the Representatives Of the United
States of America, and that he cause
all of his officers and the constable:
of said City to attend the reading
thereof.
"Resolved, That every member o
this Committee of Safety of the Cit
and Liberties of Philadelphia, in O.
near the City, be ordered to meet a
the committee chamber before |.
o'clock Monday and proceed to tn
State House, where the Declaration
of independence is to be proclaimed.
They assembled, the Committee o
Inspection gathering at Philosophical
Hall, on Second Street, and proceed
ing to its Lodge, where it was me
by the Committe of Safety, proceed
ing thence to the State House yard
and gathering about the stage, dele
gates in Congress filing out the rea
door of the State House and join
ing. The plain people gathered i
small number; 'the towns gentle
ment were absent" remarks chron
licler of the time, for many of ther