Jasper County Democrat, Volume 21, Number 27, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 July 1918 — RANG OUT LIBERTY [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

RANG OUT LIBERTY

Inspiration to Younger Generation to Remember That Boy Gave Signal for Peal That Reverberated to the Ends of the Earth. D[D you know that a boy, a young lad, the grandson of the old bellman at the state house, Philadelphia, helped to proclaim the liberty l of the United States? Every boy in the country should be proud that a boy like him was the one chosen to give the signal to “Proclaim liberty throughout the land arid unto all the Inhabitants thereof!” The story of ttys great day is told in a charming manner In the verses that follow: ' There was tumult in the city. In the quaint old Quaker town. And the streets were rife with peoplb Pacing restless up and down; People gathering at corners, Where they whispered each to each. And the sw4at Stood Oft their temples, With the earnestness of speech. As the bleak Atlantic currents the wild Newfoundland shore, So they beat against the Statehouse, So they surged against the door;

And the mingling of the voices Made a harmony profound. Till the quiet street of chestnuts Was all turbulent with sound. “Will they do it?” “Dare they do !t?“ “Who Is speaking?” V What’s the news?” "What of Adams?’’ “What of Sher- - man?” “O, God, gram they won’t refuse.” “Make some waj there!’’ “Let m< nearer!’’ “I am stifllng!”“Stlfle then; When a nation’i life’s at hazard, We’ve no time t< think of men!”

So they beat against The portal— Man and woman, maid and child; And the July sun in heaven On the scene looked down and smiled The same sun that saw the Spartan Shed his patriot blood in vain, Now beheld the soul of freedom All unconquered rise again. Aloft in that high steeple Sat the bellman, old and gray; He was weary of the tyrant And his iron sceptered sway; So he sat with one hand ready On the clapper of the bell. When his eyes should catch the signal, Very happy news to tell. See! see! the dense crowd quivers Through all its lengthy line. As the boy beside the portal Looks forth to give the sign! With his small hands upward lifted, Breezes dallying with his hair. Hark! with deep, clear intonation, Breaks his young voice on the air. Hushed the people’s swelling murmur, List the boy’s strong joyous’cry! “Ring!” he shouts aloud, “Ring, Grand pa! Ring! O, Ring for Liberty!” And straightway, at the signal. The old bellman lifts his hand, And sends the good news, making Iron music through the land. How they shouted! What rejoicing! How the old bell shook the air, Till the clang of freedom ruffled I*he calm gliding Delaware! How the bonfires and the torches Illumed the night’s repose. And from the flames, like Phoenix, Fair liberty arose!