| Show dr john Wither spoons stirring words which brought the continental Con congress contress bress to the point of decision op on 11 the eventful fourth fourth of july 1776 on the morning of the fourth of july 1776 the members of the continental tin congress in session at palla philadelphia were deliberating on the proposed declaration of independence thomas jefferson john adams benjamin Fi anklin roger sherman and robert R livingston levingston composing the committee appointed for or the purpose had reported several days before the document that Is now familiar to every american schoolboy but action had been cel delayed ayed and on this eventful morning when the congress began its final consideration the vital character ot oi the declaration was rec recognized recognize d with the growing hesitancy of an awed responsibility the patriots now saw that they were at the edge of in an action by which all chance of retreat would be cut off that they were preparing to expose themselves their families and their estates to harsh reprisals if their revolution failed at this crisis of painful silence a patriot arose a man not very old in years but showing signs of approaching age in his frosted locks in vehement tones he said there is a tide in the affairs of men a nick of time we perceive it now before us that noble instrument upon your table which insures immortality to its author should be subscribed this very morning by every pen in the house he who will not respond to its accents and strain every nerve to carry into effect its provisions is unworthy the name of a freeman although these gray hairs must soon descend into the sepulcher sc I 1 would infinitely rather they would descend thither by the hand of the public ex ecu acu lioner than desert at this crisis the sacred cause of my country the speaker ceased confidence and determination returned to that assembly seiri bly and forthwith the of independence was adopted it was signed that day by john hancock president tol of the congress on august 2nd and the engrossed copy was signed by the fifty three members then arts ent and subsequently three others affixed their names the man whose words brought the continental congress to action was lohn fohn witherspoon ol of new mew jersey the president dl 61 princeton college he was born in gifford scotland february 6 1722 and died near prine princeton eton N J september IS 15 1764 A of edinburgh university ver sity he became a prominent cal pastor essayist and educator he ha declined the presidency of princeton in 1766 ba but accepted a second invitation and was inaugurated in 1768 dr witherspoon was a most devoted patriot throughout the war of inde beri dence hi his s energies were given iven freely to th the e service service I 1 of the colonies |
