Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1915-07-10

IlUnlSx5ASYl the people of our land. Many
Ifo1L@7I0l American considers it a part Of
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 Phia-
delphia 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 hears the popular acclaim
of THAT just what we all say!" and TT 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 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 the final closing of the day
with every man, and child in PhiladeI-
phia happy because he is longer British
subject having become free American in a
single day.
Such vision pictures a heroic scene; but the
true record of events does not affirm that these
so-called happenings took place on that me-
morable day By plotting 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 TRANSFERRED at
that time changes the meaning of the Fourth of
july from one day to about sixty in which the
whole history of national liberty is told .n5
the heroic heart-throbs of the sorely tried colo
nists keenly felt
The day itself properly symbolizes the liba-t
for which the patriots of that time stood ready
to sacrifice their lives in order to launch the
United States as a national craft which should
be anchored by no weight of foreign despotism
1t was a time of danger when brother friend
and neighbor became estranged by reason Of
political opinion. Some colonists still loved the
mother country with true English pride while
others were embittered by the Injustice Of the
sovereign across the that they willingly
gave their to the cause of the neonIe of ~
land.
During the latter part of 1874 George Wash
fngton himself wrote that no thinking man
among the colonists wanted to separate from
England. and Franklin ridiculed the idea
During the early days the revolution the
bluecoats never dreamed separating from +ba
beloved land of their ancestors In fact such a
course would nave been condemned by Ameri-
cans themselves treason. Jefferson declared
that prior to April 49, ITS he had heard no wbis-
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
cussion regarding the liberty of colonists These
legislative bodies possessed but little power but
they did great part in crystallzing the senti-
ment for independence in many quarters and
forcing those opposed to the idea to declare their
tnmical attitude
The good work these small legislative bodies
was reflected and magnifed soon as the dele
gates were sent to the Continental congress
Then the spirit of liberty permeated the very at
individual received the courage to align himself
with the
III, June z. 11I6, there had been extra
paper to have informed the public the latest
political news might have read the haring
headlines Richard Henry Lee of Virginia the
Man of the Hour for 1t was he who on that day
started the Fourth July. 1t was this south
erner who introduced the first declaration of
dependence in congress declaring the American
people free.
Good Judgment dictated the caution of omit
ting John Adams 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 the in
production 90 Lees resolution yet 1t was to the
credit of the Continental congress that action
was not forced upon such important measure
ut that time 1t could not have succeeded until
all objections had been silenced. all fears of
England's success allayed. until all con-
scientiously convinced that the cause of liberty
just. 1t imperative that all should look
the Goddess of Liberty squarely in the face with
devotion to follow where she should lead
As agreement could be reached June
the resolution was laid over until the day.
when it was again postponed for consideration
til July l.
In order that the of liberty should not
he retarded during this wait. congress