The Arvada enterprise., 1920-07-01

one dial face at the western end Of
the building. In this condition It re-
manned until 1890. when the steeple
which now crowns the building was
erected on the plan Of the original one.
OF course. all Americans know that
the Declaration Of Independence was
drafted In Independence hall and read
to the assembled public In the state
house yard, not on July 4. but on
July 8. 1716. There Is a lobby In the
hall that extends the whole length Of
the building. and in this lobby the
American officers who were captured
at the battle Of Germantown were re.
taIned az prisoners. 1t was used az 4
hospital after the battle OF Brandy
wine.
The building also was rendered i'm
mortal by the fact that there Wash
ington babe farewell to public life
md delivered that memorable I'D.
dress which will ever be cherished as
sacred legacy by his grateful coun.
trymen." In 1924 Lafayette received
HIS friends In Independence hall. and
1t has been subsequently used as the
audience chamber OF several dIstin-
Iuished visitors and reception room
for the presidents OF the United
States. The body OF the venerable
John Adams lay there In state on Its
way to his last resting place. also
that Of Abraham Lincoln.
Restoration Long Sought
While the history OF the movement
to restore and preserve Independence
hall and the adjacent buildings Is gen.
eI1lly believed to be OF comparatively
inodcrn origin, It dates back In reality
to an earlier period. When the gov
eminent OF the United States aban.
doned Philadelphia for the new mn.
tIonal capital all sentiment departed
with It, and II is doubtful II the vast
majority OF people even NO much rs
gave passing thought to the spot
where one OF the greatest events In
the worlds history happened. The
archways on either side Of lndeIen-
dence hall were torn out and In their
places were constructed city and cOun-
ty buildings which almost transformed
the place beyond recognition. and even
visitors paid but scant courtesy to the
Misunderstanding building that had era.
died the infancy Of the nation.
It IL true that on the anniversary Of
the great day some kind Of exercises
always were held there. but except
with the few, Interest seems sadly ia
have declined until 1890. when an event
happened which may be Justly de.
scribed a. the dropping Of the nrst
seed that began to terminate into Z
national reverence and respect for the
place and the objects 80 clearly ass0.
ciated with the glorious memories Of
the past.
The occurrence may not be fiatter.
Ing to the people Of that generation,
hut 1t was altogether 30 curious and
unique that II deserves to he general
ly known. When King Edward VII,
then prince Of Wales and travelling ~
Baron Renfrew. visited Philadelphia
In 1900. one Of the places he particu.
iarly expressed desire to visit was
Independence hail. There he spent
considerable time. examining every Oh
ject and asking many questions. In
the Declaration chamber he was shown
the Liberty bell. which. II In said. was
stored in a corner and surrounded by
lot Of boxes and rubbish. The
prince expressed great surprise that
an object which 40 Justly deserved ven.
GRAFTON should he treated with NO ~.
tie respect. and II IL said that. turning
to the mayor. he exclaimed. This bell
should be treasured and reverence,I
by the people Of the United States nv
their most precious heirloom 7" That
! remark stirred n ripple Of thought In
the right direction. hut II operated
| slowly. and although Talk Of restoring
Independence hnll became general and
interest In II grew and was accelerated
by the centennial exposition. nothing
Of n substantial nature was done until
late In the Inst century.