Show Independence Is Proclaimed By Congress This news story of the signing signing signing sign sign- ing of the Declaration of Independence Independence Independence Inde Inde- in 1776 1716 is written as though the event were occurring occurring occurring ing today Its purpose is to give this important all document document document docu docu- ment the Currency it ought to have these thes days The Declaration Declaration Declaration Declara Declara- tion of Independence for all 01 that it was written years ago remains predicated on the living issue of human freedom Consider as you read that all this well might be happening right now PHILADELPHIA JULY 4 4 1776 These 1776 These American colonies today became the United States of America as- as 56 members of the Second Continental Congress Congress Congress Con Con- gress signed a Declaration of Independence without a dissenting vote The vote came after a long day of bitter debate during which many I I members of the Congress publicly said they were not ready for an open break with England The congress which had been meeting behind closed doors for tor some time had been actively working working working work work- ing on the declaration since last June 10 Prior to that date Richard Hent HenI Hen- Hen t I ry Lee of Virginia had introduced a resolution urging the of all allegiance to the British crown John Dickinson leader of the conservative conservative conservative con con- middle colonies opposed the measure urging moderation conciliation and postponement ment On last June 10 10 however the thel l I men measure sure was back before the body and a committee was appointed t ti draw up the preamble to the reso lution Members oi or that mat committee were delegates Thomas Jefferson John Adams Benjamin Franklin Roger Sherman Robert R. R Livingston Franklin Was III Franklin who at the time was in bed with an attack of gout was unable unable unable un un- able to assist in the writing of of ot the declaration Adams Sherman and Livingston were also unable to assist assist assist as as- in the writing since they had numerous other congressional affairs af of of- of fairs occupying their time The task thus fell upon the shoulders shoulders ders of young Thomas Jefferson of Virginia He submitted his draft to Congress six days ago It lt was passed aside however and was not brought back before the Congress until the first day of this month when the body resolved it itself itself itself it- it self into a committee of the whole and resumed consideration of Lees Lee's original proposal What followed was probably the most bitter debate in the Second Congress thus far members re- re reM reou M u t ported At one time Benjamin Franklin N. N oldest reported to have taken the floor to warn the gentlemen gentlemen gentlemen gentle gentle- men that either they would hang together or hang separately i 3 Freedom Espoused The motion placed before the Congress by Mr Lee read That these United Colonies are arc 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 of Great Britain Is and ought to be totally dissolved As news of the signing seeped through this city a state of unbelievable unbelievable un un- believable surprise was the first re re- re action It was quickly overcome however by an undertone of determination determination de de- termination and the realization that thata a scale full war might soon be a reality Franklin was the oldest t of the signers while Edward Ruthledge 27 of Charleston S. S S C C. C was the youngest The youngest and the oldest congratulated each other Ruthledge Is reported to have said aid to Franklin as the two men shook hand Sir this parchment must Itself I f d I |