McNairy County independent. (Selmer, McNairy County, Tenn.) 1902-1969, 1917-03-30
Letter From New York

Here at the eastern gateway of
this great nation, we can see the
dark war-clouds rolling UP before you
see them out in quiet and peaceful
Tennessee; here the war-bolts will
strike first, if at all. 1t seems now
that nothing but a miracle will keep
US out of it. Nothing that the most
peace-loving and sagacious of presi-
dents could do Il say this of Demo-
cratic Wilson, although | am Repub-
Iican as ever has availed so far to
avert a conflict with a foreign power
with whom we hoped ever to remain
at peace. Every real American here
seems to be ready for real war, and
it is now believed that our entry into
it will soon stop the carnage across
the sea and bring peace to the world.
While we now stand at the thresh-
old Of events which may have a last
ing effect upon our life as a nation,
it is we'll to look back at the way we
have come, and to mark how we start
ed. A few days ago | was in the
great city Of Philadelphia. where the
immortal Declaration of Independence
was signed, on that memorable 4th
day Of July, l776.
Independence Hall is a well-kept
brick building, erected in 1882 (tht
year in which George Washington
was born, | beieve) and is only three
stories high, and stands on Chestnut
street not far from the business GEN.
ter of the city. At the west end is
Congress Hall, a building not quite So
veil preserved, in which our Congress
met several times. 1t is now hardly
big enough for one Of the House Com.
mittees to meet in. On the front OF
che building, facing Chestnut street,
is a rusty iron. balcony, so rickety
now that it is not safe to stand upon,
but George Washington, from this
same balcony, delivered his second in.
augural speech, and also his wonder
full farewell address. The motley
crowds who heard him then are now
lost ia the ground, but his words "go
marching on, and the example set in
that place to all the nations of the
world will never be lest; the example
of liberty and justice to all, with he
reditary rights and privileges to none,
which is even now bringing fresh
fruits in the liberation of Russia from
a thousand years of autocratic domin-
ion and oppression, and will continue
TO be felt until every throne shall
crumble and every crown save that Of
the Most High shall be laid aside and
forgotten. 1t was with a feeling OF
awe that went inside Independence
Hall and looked into the very room
where Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin
Franklin and those other wonderful
men gathered to give US national and
constitutional life. 1t was in the east
room that they met; the mahogany
table is there still, upon which thai
immortal Declaration was signed
which gave notice TO the world thai
all men are created equal" and thai
we were ready to fly out of old En-
glands nest upon wings of our own
The inkstand that was used upon thai
occasion is kept in safe under locl
and key; the same chairs in which
the fathers of the country sat arr
still dispersed around the room, theii
seats looking like they needed repair
ing; the same chandelier which hell
the candles to light the evening de
liberations hangs in the same place
and John Haucock's chair, still placed
before the table, is pointed out to Wis
itors. There is a new floor in tn,
room. to replace the old one which
long ago was worn out by countless