Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 145, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 June 1916 — Page 2

OUR COUNTRY'S FOURTH OF JULY

An Indestructible Union of Unquenchable Stars BY JUJDWIJI Her glorious mountains Kiss the shies f • Songs swell from-OuCher-deeps) For her his Orient dyes, Z k And Night her Jewels Keeps! \ For her pure fountains pour their] rills J AdoWh\the fragrant plain ( / Z Majestic rivers cleave the hills, Res,isUess\ojthe main. J / RicjOharvesV field _aneFj3rairie Qrfeht: een, Wjth woode^x heights MaK& up the matchless” scetoeS 'Ah4/^cho / yvheel and flame of Here, Learnings re|rsjner stately ’ n&r altar Thia? ages their.'offertngs ToMift eur country higher O’eT /bur broad (larid .no‘monarch Jreigris {ggj/XSp 75 Loda/zie or to aweXyjyU Jusl^cfi^t he=r rig hjaj tWith th@;majesty,pr law. A hallowed love abotjt her clings, Its fragrance-he'erSdan die ; The memory of her heroes brings The leer For her ten million sors would bare/T ~ k The breast to every fc e f £V Would seafvlhe lips with praise and prayer,- >• / And bed the lifeblood fflw. ) Her flag illumes the mighty deep. Blazons thebecK’ning Her valiant staTs igfls jveepi Ne’er can her To every larfd and isle and sea, From fairest land e’er givery—— And benison of heaverk^/ ~

IN LIBERTY’S NAME

Memorable Scene When Patriots Signed the Declaration of Independence. 1. By GEORGE LEWIS BAILEY. ONE hundred and forty years ago occurred the memorable event we celebrate at this season. There were gathered in the old statehouse in Philadelphia half a hundred men, determined upon a course that was destined to affect the history of the world. The Declaration had been written. A committee had been out all night in its preparation. Finally the door of the committee room swung open. Three men appeared. Thomas Jefferson held the parchment in an unsteady hand. He advanced and spread it upon the table, There was one question —the one question in the minds and upon the lips of those who waited A "Shall it' be signed or not?” Jefferson spoke a few bold words and sat down. Adams was on his feet in an instant. Ablaze with the inspiration of the hour, he poured out his whole soul. Somebody whispered something about “gibbets.” A ripple of uneasiness moved through the crowd. The speaker sensed it, and instinctively knew that the psychological moment was upon them. Towering to his tiptoe height, he lifted his voice in a ringing crescendo: “Sign that parchment! Sign, if the next moment the gibbetls- -rope-is-""Aboutyour necks! Sign, if the next moment this hall rings with tjie clash of falling axes! With the last sound of my voice, with the last gasp of my breath, I would implore you, men, to sign—‘-Sign in the name of fathers, brothers, wives, children, in the name Of our children’s children . ..." Already men were hastening to grasp the pen. And now Hie parchment Is signed. From yonder tower tbe old bell peals forth the news. And now, 140 years after,, those tones are echoed and re-echoed around the world, and are known and understood wherever man has learned the name of liberty.

"Perfect and Glorious.”

Critics may come and go, but no one of them will be able to improve upon the clear-cut eloquence or the orderly arrangement of the Declaration of Independence —the “absolutely perfect and glorious expression of the Revolution.”— Exchange. \

LIVES IN HISTORY

Old Town of Westchester Saw Stirring Times in the Days of the Revolution. THE visitor to the village of Westchester, N, Y„ which, by the way, is the oldest in all Westchester county, should glance at the old village store, just west of the qauseway. Across the causeway is a hill occupied by the Presbyterian church, the same spot where the British set up a breastwork to defend themselves in the fight of '76. For old times’sake a stranger would want to walk out the Pelham road a little way, to see what remains of the famous “Spy Oak.” It is a tragedy to see this monarch among trees decapitated now; its wonderful height, gained proudly in its life of centuries, has been hewn,’so that its old friends almost weep at the sight. It is said to measure 30 feet in girth at the ground, where its roots spread. A British spy, caught by vigilant Americans, was hanged to its branches, says tradition; and, furthermore,

Old St. Peter’s Church, Containing Bell Made by Melting Chimes Given in Queen Anne’s Time.

strange wailings of that British ghost were said to be audible after dusk. Walking west from the village -Square a short distance one comes to old St. Peter’s church, the fourth house of worship erected on this site. In its yard are headstones dating back as far as 1713. Upon the tombstone of Philip Honeywell, who was active during the Revolution, this inscription was placed: book on this stone and you will find My journey’s o’er, and yours behind; Think, then, before you turn away, That yours may end before this day. This was one of the early churches upon which Queen Anne bestowed gifts. In her day its chime of bells was given it. The old bells have since been melted and made into a new one, which rings Sabbath-day pilgrims to service as of old. "'*■ Across the street stands the parish house. This building, says Doctor Clendenin, the rector, was the one used for two weeks as the colonial capital of the state of New York when an epidemic of fever prompted a sudden move. A few blocks farther west is the picturesque rectory, standing quite alone on a. green knoll. Its surrounding land was part of the “ancient glebe” given by the town in 1703. Records state that it was found necessary to lay out parsonage lands, and 20 acres was made up by taking “four acres where Edward Collier’s old lott was,” “the eight-acre division of land in the old lott fronting to the sheep’pasture,” and so on. From 1683 to 1759 Westchester was the shire town. The village was settled in 1642 by Throckmorton (for whom Throg’s Neck was named), who arrived from Massachusetts with a group driven thence along with Roger Williams. They procured permission to make their homes at Westchester, settling 35 families there. The Dutch had called the spot Vredeland, meaning Land of Peace, and perhaps the name had something to do with attracting these weary worshipers. Today the spot is one to which the hearts of all true Americans turn in reverent love. —- ‘ —

MEAN TRICK

The Pup—So dis is what dey meant when dey said I was to De on de Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration committee.

THE EVENING REPUBLICAN, RENSSELAER, IND.

SURE TO BE

Collector—Say,-doctor, don’t you think you could settle this little bill today? Doctor —Well, suppose you call around about the fifth or sixth of July. I expect I’ll be quite flush about then.

NAMED ‘OLD GLORY’

Massachusetts Sailor, Captain Stephen Driver, So Christened the Starry Banner. LD GLORY” was so chris- | | tened by Capt. Stephen I I Driyer, a very pronounced X Union man, who was born in Salem, Mass., March 17, 1803. He was presented by the citizens of Salem with a large American flag when about to sail from his home port as commander of the brig Charles Doggett in 1831. As it was hoisted to the masthead and spread itself to the breeze, in a burst of patriotic ardor he christened it “Old Glory,” and that was the name he afterward used for it. After having been his daily companion and sharer of adventures and per--11 s on the deep for a half century, Capt. Driver toqk it with him to Tennessee, where he made his home in Nashville, after retiring from a seafaring life, and where he died March 3, 1886. During the war he was provost marshal of Nashville, and did much active work in the hospitals. He was outspoken in his feelings during these days of civil disagreement, and his southern partisan neighbors felt a special zeal to get possession of his muchvaunted “Old Glory,” but they repeatedly searched his home and garden in vain. - —— — — The old captain assured them that they would see it again only when it floated over a reunited Union. In order to preserve it until such time the captain, clever, as are most men of

Capt. Stephen Driver.

the sea, with a needle, quilted it with his own hands into a comforter and made it his bed covering. True to his word, when peace had been restored, the captain took “Old Glory” to the Capitol building, where it was unfurled. It was on a fateful morning in February, 1862, that Nashville was startled by the cry, "Fort Donelson has fallen; the federal troops are advancing." The Sixth Ohio was the first regiment to land, and the bluecoats, to the sound of drum and trumpet, marched to the capitol and tore down the Confederate flag. Captain Driver begged the captain to let him raise .his “Old Glory.” The plea was granted, and, escorted by Lieutenant Thatcher and a detachment of soldiers, Captain Driver went to his home and ripped the sacred trophy from its hiding place. He was allowed to raise the flag with his own hands. Bareheaded, he climbed to the dome, took down the regimental flag, and replaced it with “Old Glory” amid the tumultuous cheers from the enthusiastic Union, sympathizers. As with dimmed eyes he saw it flaunting its colors proudly, he exclaimed: “Now that 'Old Glory’ has come into her own again, I am willing to die.” This historic flag is now in the custody of the Essex institute, in Salem, Mass., where it was deposited by a niece of Captain Driver, to whom he had intrusted it in 1882, four years before his death. So that after its many vicissitudes, both on land and sea, it is resting peacefully and honored today in the very port from which it sailed for the first time 85 years ago. \ ~ On June 14, 1777, congress decreed that the flag consist -of 13 red and white stripes, and 13 stars on a blue ground.

QUEER OLD RELIC

Towel Believed to Belong to Revolutionary Times Brought to Light at Pittsburgh. GREAT interest has been awakened among members of patriotic societies of Pittsburgh in the unique towel which recently came into the possession of Mrs. Cecelia C. Jones Murdoch of the Hotel Schenley, a pen-and-ink impression of which is reproduced here. The age of the towel, which is made of finest linen and woven most delicately, is problematical and probably can never be definitely established. - Its workmanship" is wonderful, the elaborate design being skillfully and artistically executed. Mrs. Murdoch believes her historic towel comes down from a period but a few years after the War of the Revolution, either the last decade of the eighteenth century or the first of the nineteenth. From the inscriptions on the face of the towel, she has formed the opinion that it was one of a number of similar pieces made abroad in commemoration of the establishment of the independence of the United States and the election of George Washington to the presidency, and

Impression of Newly Found Patriotic Towel of Probable Great Age.

designed to be sold to the patriotic settlers of the American wilds, possibly by roving peddlers. It is her opinion that this particular towel may have formed a part of a set, possibly consisting of tablecloth, napkins, and other towels, and that it alone, by strange chance, has survived the generations. It came to her through an elderly woman of German extraction, who received it from her parents. It had been in her family as long as she can. remember, and no particular value was attached to it, for it was in constant dally use. The designing of the towel is most elaborate, and despite its great age, the various elements of the scheme stand out plainly and distinctly. The lettering alone is somewhat faint In some lights, but with care in handling can be clearly deciphered as the light falls at the proper The elements in the design are American eagles, shields of the nation and other devices of patriotic nature cunningly woven together. The length of the towel is 33 inches, and its breadth 19 inches. The. inscription follows: “The Independence of the United States of America Declared July 4, 1776—-Washington Elected President of the Federal Union March, 1789 — E Pluribus Unum.”

NOT FOR HIM

‘‘Say, pop, ain’t Fourth of July the day we gained our independence?" —“No, my son; that's the day your mother and I were married.’’ ___

Gist of the Declaration.

“These United colonies are, and of right ought to be, free, and independent states; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British crown, and that all political connection between them and the state to Great Britain is and ought to be totally dissolved." This, shorn of the preamble and the concluding clauses, is the Declaration of Independence which this country celebrates sanely and safely or insanely and unsafely, as the case may he, every Fourth oft July.

DON’T FORGET THE FOURTH

"Papa, I know how many days there are in a year—three hundred and six-ty-five and a fourth.” “Is that so? Where does the fourth come in, son?” "Fourth of July.”

IN AMERICAN TRAP

Clever Scheme Which Enablea Patriot Soldiers to Defeat the British General. THE Ferris property covered vast tracts of land in Westchester county, New York. The grandfather of the first James Ferris was one of the ten promoters of Throgs Neck. He was descended from the house of Feriers, whose first member in England obtained large grants of English land from the Conqueror. Many branches of the family spread through the Westchester region, and another old house once belonging to them can be seen today. Upon leaving the house once occupied by Lord Howe, go out through the main entrance of the Country club grounds, leading into Country Club avenue. This route will take you through some of the loveliest land anywhere to be found. Delightful homes are scattered over the flawlessly groomed land. Nature here is dressed in her best Sunday-go-to-meeting garb the whole week through. You arrive at Middlet6wn road. Follow this toward the village, and close to it, on Mayflower avenue, you will find the other Ferris house with large pillars. It is unoccupied and used only by a moving picture firm—a fine backgiound for old-time romances. And now to the village center and the causeway. Toward it marched Lord Howe, while the picked Americans awaited him —and another group,

Old Causeway at Westchester, Where Americans Stopped British Advance.

too, at the head of the creek. At a given signal the planks of the bridge were taken up, and Howe arrived to find himself upon an island. He raged furiously and moved toward the head of the creek, there to be abruptly checked again. The Americans opened fire upon his troops at the causeway. They were sheltered, by the tide-mill, and from this point, they poured forth their heavy rifle fire upon the British. Nowhere could the enemy force a way past the determined patriots. Howe retreated and the day was won. So enraged was the British general that he summoned his guides before a board of officers and charged them with having deceived him, for he believed that they had landed him upon an island. How dared they? he demanded, striking the table a resounding blow with his sword. Although the situation was explained to him, he still raged, and he vowed he would hang every man of them unless they conducted him safely from the trap he was in. At last the British retreat carried the forces on to Pell’s Point.

Young Men Set Noble Example.

Young men among Declaration signers were Thomas Lynch of South Carolina and Edward Rutledge of South Carolina. They were both born in 1749, Lynch in August and Rutledge in November. Each was but twentyseven years old. Other young men were Thomas Heywood of South Carolina, born in 1746; Benjamin Rush, bom in 1745; Elbridge Gerry, bom in 1744; Thomas Jefferson, bom in 1743; Arthur Middleton of South Carolina, bora in 1743; Samuel Chase of Maryland, bora in 1741, and Benjamin Harrison of Virginia, born In 1740. Each member from South Carolina was a young man—Lynch, Rutledge, Heywood ami Middleton.

LET FAME PASS BY

How It Was Richard Henry Lee Did Not Write Declaration of Independence. HERCHEZ la femme.” / Wherever and whenever I . man performs a great, noteworthy action the eternal feminine seems sure to have a hand. Even the Declaration of Independence would not have been written as it is or by the hand that penned it but for a woman. Thomas Jefferson would not have won eternal fame by writing the famous document whereby the colonies declared themselves free and independent of England if there had not “been a woman in it." But for a woman, a man’s love, the devotion of two tender hearts, another man would be credited with the Declaration of Independence, and Thomas Jefferson in all probability would be known to posterity only as one of the signers. There was a woman in the case—but not one connected in any romantic way with Jefferson. Mrs. Richard Henry Lee, wife of a delegate to the Continental congress from Virginia, was the woman. She was no female political intriguer, such as at different times-have helped,to sway the destiny of nations. She exerted no influence over Jefferson, or over the first congress. She merely became seriously ill in her Virginia home on June 10, 1776, necessitating the presence of her husband at her bedside, and thus clearing the way for Jefferson to become famous as the ere-

Richard Henry Lee.

ator of the Declaration of Independence. But for Richard Henry Lee’s love for his wife, his would be the name to go ringing down through all time in place of that of Thomas Jefferson. Lee was the man originally selected by the delegates to Introduce in congress a resolution declaring the colonies free ,and independent. He did this on June 7, 1776. Congress, after much deliberation, agreed to the appointment of a committee of five to draft a Declaration of Independence, and Lee, victor in the fight that had raged against his resolution, was to have been made chairman. As such, and qualified in every way, he would have been the one selected to draft the document. In fact, this arrangement had been made and settled —and then, on the night of June 10, on the eve of the triumph of his career, Lee received word that his wife lay seriously ill at home and begged for him to come to her side. Had Lee been a less devoted husband, he might have wavered. On one hand were the highest political honors, honors that he long had been striving for; on the other, a loving wife. Lee did not hesitate. * “Many other men may be able to take my place in drafting my country’s Declaration of Independence,” he said, "but no one else in the world can take my place at the side of my sick wife.” He mounted a horse at once, and turned his back on Philadelphia and one of the most significant crises in the world’s history. He went straight to where his wife lay waiting for him, and back in Philadelphia Thomas Jefferson was appointed chairman of the committee, and the rest Is history.

HIS JOB

Eph—Kin I play wit you all? Kids —Sure, if youse will promise to play fair. We’ll let you be de one wot sees if de firecracker we light and don’t go off is really out or not. •

Whole Country Participates.

No holiday is more widely observed in, this country than the Fourth of July—lndependence day. It is the one occasion when the people of all sections manifest in some form their patriotic sentiments. ) -X