The citizen., 1920-06-24

use OF the town clock-which had 0bly
one dial face at the western end Of
the building. In this condition II re-
malned until 1929. 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. 1776. There is a lobby In the
hall that extends the whole length OF
the building. and In this lobby the
American officers who we're captured
at the battle OF Germantown were re-
tained as prisoners. II was used as
hospital after the battle of Brandy.
wine.
The building also was rendered I'm
mortal by the fact that there Wash
ington bade farewell to public life
and delivered that memorable ad'
dress which will ever be cherished as
sacred legacy by his grateful coun-
trymen" In 1924 Lafayette received
his friends In Independence hall. and
II has been subsequently used as the
audience chamber OF several distin-
guished visitors and a 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
orally believed to be Of comparatively
rnodern origin, II dates back In reality
TO an earlier period. When the gov
ernment Of the United States aban-
doned Philadelphia for the new ma
tional capital all sentiment departed
with II, and II is doubtful II the vast
majority of people even so much as
gave passing thought TO the spot
where one OF the greatest events In
the worlds history happened. The
archways on either side of lndepen'
dence hall were torn out and In their
|
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.
II is 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 tt
have declined until 1850, when an even
happened which may be justly de
scrIbed as the dropping Of the frs
seed that began to germinate into ,
national reverence and respect for thu
place and the objects so clearly asso
ciated with the glorious memories o
the past.
The occurrence may not be fiatter
ing TO the people of that generation
but II was altogether so curious ant
unique that IL deserves to be general
ly known. When King Edward VII
then prince OF Wales and travelling a
Baron Renfrew. visited Philadelphia
in 1860, one Of the places he particu
lariy expressed a desire to visit wa
Independence hall. There he spen
considerable time. examining every oh
ject and asking many questions. Il
. the Declaration chamber he was show
the Liberty bell. which. II is said. wa
stored In a corner and surrounded b.
lot OF boxes and rubbish. tn
prince expressed great surprise tina
an object which so justly deserved ven
Grafton should be treated with so III
tie respect, and II 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 heirloom" Tha
remark stirred a ripple Of thought 4
the right direction. but It operate
slowly. and although talk OF restorin
Independence hall became general an
interest In II grew and was accelerate
by the centennial exposition. nothin
of a substantial nature was done unit