The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1920-06-30

use Of the Town ciock-which nan O01&
one dial face 1t the western TOD q
The building. In this condition II -
manned until 1922. when the steeplo
which now crowns the building was
erected on the plan Of the original on&
OF course. al Americans know that
the Declaration Of Independence was
drafted In Independence hail and Rad
to the assembled public IN the STATE
house yard. not % July Z. bot o.
July q, 1776 There 70 lobby IN tl,s
hail that extends the whole length -
the building. and In this lobby the
American omcerS who were captured
at the battle Of Germantown were r.
tanned - prisoners II was used - .
hospital after the battle Of Brandy
wine.
The building also WAS rendered imr
mortal By the fact that there Wash
ington babe farewell to public life
and delivered that memorable id
dress which win ever b cherished -
& sacred legacy By bis grateful coun
tSymen." In 1924 lafayette received
his friends In Independence hall. and
Il has been subsequently used a. the
audience chamber Of several distiD-
xuished visitors and q reception room
for the presidents Of the United
Etatea The body Of the venerable
John Adams lay there in state % its
way to bis last resting place. also
that Of Abraham Lincoln.
Restoration lsne Sought
While the history Of the movement
to restore and preserve lsdepeodeDce
hall and the adjacent buildings - gen
orally believed to be Of comparatively
r1odern origin. It dates back IN reality
to an earlier period. When the gov
eminent Of the United States aban
doned Philadelphia for the new na-
donal capital all sentiment departed
with it, and It 10 doubtful II the vast
majority Of people even 30 much ~
give Q passing thought to the spot
where one Of the greatest events In
the worlds Aistory happened. The
srchways on either side Of lndepen-
dence hall were torn ont and IN their
places were constructed city and couD-
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 II 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 t.
have declined until 1850. when IN event
happened which may be Justly de-
scribed as the dropping Of the nrsi
seed that began to terminate into Z
national reverence and respect for thu
place and the objects - clearly asso
ciated with the glorious memories Of
the past
The occurrence may not be 6atter
ing to the people Of that generation
but 1t was altogether 20 curious and
unique that 1t deserves to be general.
u known. When King Edward VII
then prince Of Wales and travelling q,
Baron Renfrew. visited Philadelphia
in 1850, one Of the places - particu
larry expressed q desire to ~isit wa.
independence hall. There he spen'
considerable time. examining every Oh
ject and asking many Ques+ins. II
the Declaration chamber he WIS shown
the Liberty bell. which. It 10 said. wa.
stored In q corner and surrounded BY
lot Of boxes and rubbish Tn.
prince expressed great surprise tina
an object which 50 justly deserved ven
Grafton should be treated with so lit
tie respect, and It Is said that. turnin,
to the mayor. he exclaimed. This bel
should be treasured and reverence,
by the people Of the United States a
their most precious heiri0omw Tha
remark stirred q ripple Of thought Il
the right direction. but It operate,
slowly. and although talk Of restorini
Independence hall became general an,
interest In It grew and was acceierate'
by the centennial exposition. nothin
Of q substantial nature WAS done unit
late In the last century.