The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1917-06-28

ii ID II " u ID u " u u
TN VIEW of the fact that the 4s
states Of the Union, together with
Porto Rico, Hawaii and Alaska,
celebrate the Fourth of July as
Independence day, 1t is interesting to
note how this nationwide holiday came
20 be celebrated, and what it should
signify 10 all Americans.
July is now holiday commemo-
rating the birthday Of the nation, for
on that day in 1776 the Continental
Congress of the IL 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.
Ia preserved carefully in an alright
and lightproof case In the library OF
the department OF state. Only fac
SMILES are exhibited today, the orig
Aiiht Dtiub ldl lob llFNiOuH LN''''' ~
60 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
rral of the members OF the second Con
tinental 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, l776 intro
juced the following resolution, which
vas seconded by John Adams
Resolved, That these United Colo
MES are, and Of right ought to be-
free and independent states; that they
are absolyed, from all allegiance 10
the British crown, and that all pOliti-
rnl connection between them and the
State Of Great Britain is, and ought
10 be, totally dissolved
Foreign Alliances Urged.
THAT 1t is expedient forthwith to
take the most eflectual measures for
forming foreign alliances.
THAT plan Of confederation be pre-
pared and transmitted to the respec-
tive colonies for their appreciation"
Consideration Of this resolution was
postponed, and on June II Thomas
Jefferson, John Adams Benjamin
franklin, Robert Sherman, and K, X.
Livingston were appointed commit
tee to prepare ii declaration to serve
as preamble TO this Independent resO-
luton. This committee, known as
The Jefferson committee. submitted a
draft of the declaration on June %,
which was laid on the table for later
consideration. On July ! congress.
sitting as n committee Of the whole
TO consider the resolution respecting
independence, agreed thereto, and re
ported II 10 congress
On July the resolution Itself was
adopted by congress. md the deCaru-
zion was considered by the committee
of HE whole. being again taken up
the next day July 3.
The Big Day.
On July 4 the declaration. which
included the FIRST paragraph Of the
resolution, was agreed to by the com
mittre Of the whole, reported to con
grcse and adopted. The Independence
of the United Colonies was thus de
clarcd, and thereupon congress i'm
mediately ordered that the declaration
be authenticated and printed under
the supervision OF the committee preyi-
Ously appointed to prepare It, and That
copies thereof be distributed To all
stnte assemblies and he commanding
officers Of the army.
IN accordance with the above order.
the declaration was issued as printed
broadslde on July 3. with the heading
"ln Congress, July !. ire. A Declnra-
ton by the Representatives Of The
United States Of America, In General