The Parma herald. (Parma, Idaho) 1903-1917, 1917-06-28
r n VIEW of the fact that the 4S
states of the Union, together with
Porto Rico, Hawaii and Alaska,

states of the Union, together witt
Porto Rico, Hawaii and Alaska
celebrate the Fourth of July a!
Independence day, it is interesting Il
note how this nationwide holiday came
to be celebrated, and what it should
signify to all Americans.
July 4 is now a holiday commend,
rating the birthday of the nation, for
on that day in 1776 the Continental
Congress of the Is colonies of
America adopted the Declaration
of Independence which proclaimed
them free and Independent states, alb
solved from all allegiance to the Brit
lsh crown. The original of this birth
certificate" written by hand on parch-
ment and now much worn and faded,
Is preserved carefully in an alright
and hghtproof case in the library of
the department of state. Only fac
SMILES are exhibited today, the orig
lnal being far too precious a document
to risk in the light and air.
Declaration of Independence.
A facsimile of the Declaration of In
dependence is on exhibition in the di-
vision of history in the older building
Of the National museum at Washing
ton, where there are also preserved
personal relics and mementos of sew
eral of the members of the second Con-
dnental Congress who signed this great
resolution.
The history of the origin and draft
ing of the declaration is of consider
able interest. In the second Cont
mental Congress. which was meeting
in Philadelphia, Richard Henry Lee
Of Virginia, on June Z, 1776, intro
1uced the following resolution, which
was seconded by John Adams:
Resolved, That these United Colo
MES are, and of right ought to be,
free and independent states; that they
are absolved from all allegiance to
the British crown, and that all politi-
cal connection between them and the
State of Great Britain is, and ought !
to be, totally dissolved.
Foreign Alliances Urged.
THAT it is expedient forthwith to |
take the most effectuaI measures for |
forming foreign alliances.
THAT a plan of confederation be pre- |
pared and transmitted to the respec- |
tive colonies for their appreciation"
Consideration of this resolution was
and on June IL Thomas |
Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin /
Franklin, Robert Sherman, and R. R.
Livingston were appointed a commit
tee to prepare a declaration to serve
IS preamble to this independent reso-
luton. This committee, known as
he Jefferson committee, submitted a
lraft of the declaration on June %,
which was laid on the table for later
On July l congress,
sitting as a committee of the whole !
o consider the resolution respecting
agreed thereto, and re-
ported it to congress.
On July 2 the resolution itself was
adopted by congress, and the declara-
ion was considered by the committee
# the whole, being again taken up
he next day, July 3.
ne pig LAY.
On July 4 the declaration. which
included the first paragraph of the
esOlutiOn, was agreed to by the COM
nittee of the whole, reported to con-
ress. and adopted. The independence
f the United Colonies was thus de-
Jared, and thereupon congress i'm
1ediately ordered that the declaration
e authenticated and printed under
he supervision of the committee previ-
usly appointed to prepare it, and that
Opies thereof be distributed to all
tate assemblies and the commanding
Ulcers of the army.
In accordance with the above order.
ne declaration was issued as a printed
roadside on July 5, with the headfLg:
In Congress, July 4, 1875 A Declare d
on by the Representatives of the
nited States Of America, in General I