Rensselaer Republican, Volume 26, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 September 1893 — THE NEW LIBERTY BELL [ARTICLE]

THE NEW LIBERTY BELL

Its Triumphal March Through the Country—Description. The new Liberty bell, called tho Columbian liberty bell to distinguish it from the old Liberty bell, is now at Chicago. It has had a triumphal journey through the big cities of the East, and has been exhibited in Philadelphia, Wilmington. Washington, Baltimore, Harrisburg and Pittsburg. The bell weighs 13,0)0 pounds, and much of the metal is silver. Two hundred and fifty thousand pennies were cast into it, besides old swords, tin cups used in tho Revolution, bayonets, old coins (including one that dates back to the time of Christ), jewelry of gold and silver, blocks of American tin, gold from California and money from all over the world. The clapper of tho bell weighs 700 pounds. The bell is seven feet six inches in diameter at the mouth, and six feethigh. It bears three inscriptions. At the top are the words: “Glory to God In the highest; peace on earth and good will toward men.” At the bottom: “Proclaim liberty throughout the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.” On one side is inscribed: “A new commandment I give unto you; that yo love one another.” Tho cost of constructing the bell was >6,2(0, and it contains over >IO,OCO of coin. When It arrives at Chicago it will bo hung In front of the Administration Building. It will bo rung for tho first time on G. A. R. Dav. September 6. After the Exposition it will bo carried all over the United States,.then it will journey through Europe and return to thi country after a visit to Liberia, Africa. This bell arrived at Indianapolis, Thursday night, and was viewed by thousands during the forenoon of Friday. At noon the journey was resumed to Chicago arriving there Friday night.