Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 39, Number 85, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 June 1907 — Real Independence Day. [ARTICLE]

Real Independence Day.

On the 3d of July, 1770, says Paul lieland Haworth in Harper's Magazine, John Adams, then one of the Representatives of Massachusetts in the Continental Congress, wrote to his wife Abigail: "Yesterday the greatest question was decided which was ever debated in America, and a greater, perhaps, never was nor will be decided among men " In a second letter, written the same day, he said: “But the day is past. The 2d of July 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 God Almighty; it ought to he solemnised with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illumination* (From one end of this continent to the otter from this tlipo forward forevermore." Whan tVs resolution waa taken up oo

the 2d, all the States except New York voted to accept it. Tliub on the 2d day of July, 1776, the independence of the thirteen United Colonies fiom the throne of Great was definitely decided upon. The 2d, and not the 4th, may be called the true date of the separation.