The Declaration of Independence
By Washington Irving
While danger was gathering round New
York,
and its inhabitants were in mute suspense and
fearful anticipations, the General Congress at
Philadelphia was discussing, with closed doors,
what John Adams pronounced, "The greatest
question ever debated in America, and as great
as ever was or will be debated among men." The
result was, a resolution passed unanimously on
the 2nd of July - "that these United Colonies are,
and of right ought to be, free and independent
States."
"The 2nd of July," adds
the same patriot
statesman, "will be the most memorable epoch in the
history of America. I am apt to believe that it
will be celebrated by succeeding generations as
the great anniversary festival. It ought to be
commemorated as the day of deliverance, by
solemn acts of devotion to Almighty God. It
ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade,
with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires,
and illuminations, from one end of this continent
to the other, from this time forth forevermore."
The glorious event has, indeed, given rise to an
annual jubilee - but not on the day designated by
Adams. The FOURTH of July is the day of national
rejoicing, for on that day the "Declaration of
Independence," that solemn and sublime document,
was adopted.
Tradition gives a dramatic effect to its
announcement. It was known to be under
discussion, but the closed doors of Congress excluded
the populace. They awaited, in throngs, an
appointed signal. In the steeple of the State House
was a bell, imported twenty-three years previously
from London by the Provincial Assembly
of Pennsylvania. It bore the portentous text from
Scripture: "Proclaim Liberty throughout all the
land, unto all the inhabitants thereof." A joyous
peal from that bell gave notice that the bill
had been passed. It was the knell of British domination. |
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