News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1915-08-11
BETTY AT THE FAIR
Letters of the Panama Pacific Expo
sition by Florence Livingston
LETTER x

Why don't you ask me what the biggest
thing is on the Pacific Coast? Because
could answer without moments hesita
ton, and should like the chance. 1t il
the Liberty Bell. The blessed old thing
arrived Saturday morning after long
and wonderful trip from Philadelphia
1t came on special car, brilliantly light.
ed 80 that every chance citizen might
know it as it passed, and surely greater
ovatioDs were never crowded into minutes
than those which have marked it's stops
at various towns. People tramped
miles to catch fleeing glance of this
precious piece of metal that first sounded
the spirit OF Americanism and proclaimed
the birth of nation.
At Red Bluff it was met by several of
the states most prominent officials and
escorted the rest of the way with even
greater dignity, it's tribute of flowers in
creasing as it came. Once in San Fran
cisco, it was hoisted to specially con-
structed truck, flanked with flags and
| flowers. and slowly carried through the
streets. evoking cheers and tears in al.
most equal measure. Such is the express
sion of patriotism. That is what the
bell stands for, and that is the secret of
its power.
Almost a century and half ago this
bell rang for the declaration of the coun-
try's independence, and to-day it is more
than anything else the epitome of liberty.
Its bronze throat once sang that sweetest
of all songs; and although its singing
days are over, it can still rouse one of the
deepest feelings of which human beings
are capable-that Of loyalty to the coun-
try of their birth or their adoption. That
is strange thing-patriotism second to
no other except religion. 1t is almost
the quintessence of the highest express
sion of the human soul, an altruistic i'm
pulse that has its own reward in the SOL
idarity of body of people and in the
wonderful results which it is able to &C
complish by means of united efforts.
That is the secret of the enthusiasm
which at present dominates the EXPOSE
ton. From the contemplation of mans
endeavor in this direction and that, it
has reused to the ecstacy of a funda-
mental impulse, that of the inalienable
right of the individual and of the society
of which he is part. More than any
other one thing, the Liberty Bell stands
for that fact. 1t typifies the birth throes |
Of this nation, and it recalls to minds en-
crossed with the vital necessities of ex-
stance from day to day, the basic springs |
upon which they found their security and |
their rights.
The Liberty Bell weighs 2OSO pounds,
8 II feet in circumference around the
Up, and Is 2 feet o inches around the
crown. The clapper is feet 2 inches
ong, and the thickest part of the lip is
3 inches.
Escorted by gallant, STRAIGHTFORWARD
Boys of the marine and the army, the bell
entered the Exposition grounds on Sat-
friday and was suspended impressively
before the Tower of Jewels while the
exercises took place. Champ Clark was
he principal speaker, and he held his gil
,antic audience enthralled by his eluci-
lation of the ideals of peace, of national
ty, and of the means by which both may
'e procured and maintained. Then the
lately, quiescent bell was carried to it's
station of review in the pic
uresque court of the Pennsylvania Build
ng. 1t is in the charge of four stalwart
yards. and is to remain until the close
f the Exposition. At night it is taken
nto one of the wings of the building and
nclosed in safety vault.
Now father, want to confide to you
~ personal wonder about this bell. At
ne risk of seeming school-girlish, l want
, tell you how strange think it is that
should have had engraved upon it the
ords: proclaim liberty throughout all
he land unto all the inhabitants thereof"
.ow could the committee which ordered
have foreseen the mission it would have
, perform? How, indeed? 1t is like
ouO " DoilOfO tudb |
ice guides all human acts.
Do you know, father, that this bell has
ever been strong? 1t cracked upon be-
e tested. Then it was recast and found
have no tone. owing to the increase of
PIPER in its composition. 1t was recast
i'll again, and this time was declared
Iperior to a second bell which had been | Il
dered to replace it. By reason of this
mparison, it was hoisted into place in
e steeple of Independence Hall in Phil
lelphia, and from that point it has rung
1T the news of triumphal progress, as
ell as the muffled proclamation of loss
some of Americas greasest men.
That 1t sounded forth the country's
and for independence in 1776, has been
5 particular claim to veneration; but the
rave old bell continued its record of al IL
rnate triumph and sorrow until 1885, =
hen, in tolling knell for Chief Justice ID
ohn Marshall, it cracked its throat be- Il
,Dd repair. In addition, it is suffering u
ON a mysterious metal disease, which
Ireatens its disintegration at any min y
te and which has induced a secondary