The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1915-07-02
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lasted over until the next, and so July would
have become the birthday instead of July 4.
Toward evening the discomfort o. the as
sembly was increased on account or the sWarms
Of flies which came from nearby livery stable
into the hall of legislature These pests we're so
audacious in assaults upon the statesmen that
Jefferson said their annoyance helped bring the
matter to a conclusion and Harrison reported
the declaration to congress as accepted though
I'm the minutes of that day the declaration was AT
first left out on account OF the vengeance OF Eng
land.
Today independence hall, in the old state house
I'm philadelphia remains about as 1t was on that
Julv 4 and so as far as the setting OF the stage
the drama is complete, but the drama itself Is
left for to supply.
All that we have left of the record of that
memorable day is the text Of the Declaration OF
Independence. and as that represents what all
brave American colonists ready to lay down
their lives for and what should be handed down
IN us and guarded as courageously as 1t had
been won the Fourth of July has amply served
its purpose and deserved its one monument
THE Spirit OF Liberty for All
Whether or not the Declaration or lnue-
pendence was signed on July 4, 1776, by any but
Hancock as president OF the Continental con-
gress. and Thompson, as secretary Is matter
of doubt for the journal entry records signed
by order of and in behalf of congress- Jener-
son himself made conflicting statements regard
ing this question.
some contend that the delegates met informal
ly on the morning of July and signed the docu'
ment Whether or not the signatures were ar
fixed on July A. congress- act was official on that
day that Jeffersons Declaration OF independence
was declared acceptable to every colony. And so
Il resolved that copies should be sent throughout
the new-formed republic.
The general assemblies conventions, councils,
committees of safety and the commanding officers
utal
the independence OF the United States, Ihese
copies we're signed by Hancock and Thompson.
The Congressional Record of July 19 shows that
a resolution was introduced in the national as
sembly TO the effect that the declaration should
be engrossed on parchment and presented Tor the
signature of every member on August 2.
This fact therefore, serves as authority that
the parcbment copy signed on that day in August,
after II had been compared with the fair copy
and the latter destroyed. is the copy OF the Dec
laration OF independence which was considered
for so many years the original draft of the great
bill of rights OF the American people. II is said
that even this signing was entered into with fear
and trembling"
Satisfied that the signed parchment was a
lasting evidence OF the birth OF the new nation,
congress took no further official action regarding
the instruments itself until January 1777
BY that time the new republic began TO feel its
strength and congress decided TO promulgate
the names of the signers OF the Declaration OF In
dependence by ordering that printed copies of the
document should be made with the names OF the
signers added.
Mary Katharine Goddard. a woman who car.
ried on the printing business on Broadside. Bal
tmore. probably never heard OF womans rights,
yet Il so happened that Il became her right to
print these copies of the American bill OF rights.
From these copies numerous others were soon
made until before long every home boasted at
least one copy OF the original document which
Rave life TO our republic.