USA > Pennsylvania > Philadelphia County > Philadelphia > History of Independence Hall : from the earliest period to the present time : embracing biographies of the immortal signers of the Declaration of Independence, with historical sketches of the sacred relics preserved in that sanctuary of American freedom > Part 5
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" This is the sacred fane wherein assembled The fearless champions on the side of Right- Men at whose Declaration empires trembled,
Moved by the Truth's clear and eternal light. This is the hallowed spot where first, unfurling, Fair Freedom spread her blazing scroll of light- Here from Oppression's throne the tyrant hurling, She stood supreme in majesty and might."
And as we send our memories back along the "ring-
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ing aisles of time," the forms of those departed heroes, whose labors and fortunes were devoted to the estab- lishment of our institutions, rise up in living realities before us, and we feel that,
"Such were the men of old, whose tempered blades Dispersed the shackles of usurp'd control, And hew'd them link from link. * * * They felt a filial heart Beat high within them at a mother's wrongs ; And shining each in his domestic sphere, Shone brighter still when called to public view."
Yes, those great men have passed from the busy, bustling throng of human action, but the spirit they impressed upon their descendants and those who have followed, will never become extinct. Their dust is encircled with wreaths of never-withering laurels, which freshen in eternal bloom, and grow luxuriantly on their lowly sepulchres! "May the flame kindled on the national altar in the first true Hall of Freedom, to illuminate and consecrate the Declaration of Inde- pendence, in America," burn with inextinguishable splendor, quicken every tardy pulse with patriotic zeal, and blast to cinders every tyrant's accursed throne! that here our children and brethren in future years, from their homes far away on the shores of the Pacific, may come and meditate among the scenes and associations of our ancestors' labors, undisturbed by the acts or intrusions of despotism's hirelings, and by musing on the past, gather strength for future iction !
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CHAPTER IV.
INDEPENDENCE SQUARE.
"Still o'er these scenes my memory wakes, And fondly broods with miser care ; Time but the impression deeper makes- As streams their channels deeper wear."-Burns.
INSEPARABLY associated with the history of Inde- pendence Hall are the incidents relative to the enclo- sure known as Independence Square. Like Mount Vernon-the resting-place of Washington-it excites our devotion-warms into a flame the smoldering embers of patriotism-recalls many pleasing events in the history of days gone by-and thrills us with emotions of gratitude. This enclosure is not unlike other ensanguined fields whose associations call up interesting reminiscences. Hence, we feel the force of the remark of Dr. Clarke :- " If there be a spot upon earth pre-eminently calculated to awaken the solemn sentiments, which such a view of nature is fitted to make upon all men, it may surely be found in the plain of Marathon; where, amidst the wreck of generations, and the graves of ancient heroes, we elevate our thoughts toward Him, 'in whose sight a thousand years are but as yesterday ;' where the still- ness of Nature, harmonizing with the calm solitude of that illustrious region, which once was the scene of the most agitated passions, enables us, by the past, tu
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determine of the future. In those moments, indeed, we may be said to live for ages; a single instant, by the multitude of impressions it conveys, seems to antici- pate for us a sense of that eternity when time shall be no more; when the fitful dream of human existence, with all its turbulent illusions, shall be dispelled ; and the last sun having set, in the last of the world, a brighter dawn than ever gladdened the universe shall renovate the dominions of darkness and of death."
To the patriotic inhabitants of the United States, associations of local character exert powerful influ- ences in the formation of their nationality; and no- where is this power felt more vigorously than in the precincts of Independence Hall. Here "collisions with a mightier foe, and deeds of daring put forth for richer conquests," took place, than when heroic Greeks grappled with the mighty hosts of Persia. A greater principle was here evolved, and a more important problem elucidated, than had ever be- fore been presented to human consideration. When the shepherds heard the glad tidings that a Redeemer had been born in Bethlehem, their hearts leaped for joy, because they realized that in his birth, old cere- monies and creeds which had long characterized the Mosaic Dispensation, would be displaced by new and more tolerant religious principles and forms. They knew the period had come-foretold by Prophets of old-to which the eyes of the world had been directed for centuries, with wonderful anxiety-a period when, it had been announced, " old things should pass away, and all things become new" -. when the curse should be removed, and the serpent's head bruised; and the watchful shepherds on the hills of Judea, caught up
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the song of the wise men of the East, from the valleys of Palestine, and with one deep ecstatic chorus joined the exultation :
"Hither, ye faithful, haste with songs of triumph To Bethlehem, the Lord of life to meet- To you, this day, is born a Prince and Saviour; Oh come, and let us worship at his feet !"
The period when those circumstances occurred in the history of religious events, marked a decided epoch in the annals of mankind. But, " when in the course of human events, it became necessary for our people to dissolve the political bands" connecting them with others, "and to assume among the powers of the earth, separate and equal station-to which the laws of Na- ture and of Nature's God entitled them"-commenced the beginning of an era from which the disenthralment of mankind from arbitrary bondage was to be the legitimate consequence, the joyful shout of the shep- herds,
"To you, this day, is born a Prince and Saviour,"
sounded no more impressively glorious in the Orient than did the proclamation in "Independence. Square," that "These United Colonies are, and of right ought to be free and Independent States!" when a final separation from the authority of Great Britain had been resolved. That moment was heralded to the world, as the bell on the Old State House rung out its thunder tones, and reverberated among the moun- tains and valleys of the "Thirteen Colonies" a prin- ciple deep and sufficiently comprehensive to embrace all mankind. That moment marked a new era in the
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progress of human affairs-arrayed freedom of con- science, liberty of thought, and the right of speech against dogmatical forms of usurpation, intolerance and despotism. No body of men had ever before ex- hibited boldness enough to assert a platform of nation- ality half so liberal and half so great.
It is asserted that long before and at the time the State House was erected, the "State House Yard," or the grounds now enclosed in this area, were exceed- ingly uneven, upon which whortleberry and other bushes grew quite profusely. The spot was con- siderably more elevated than its present appearance indicates. That side of it along the line of Walnut street is still remembered to have been depressed and low, and some of the earlier settlers had erected a num- ber of residences on it. After the erection of the State House, these residences were torn down. Originally, this Square was only half its present size, being 396 feet on Chestnut street and the back line, 265 feet on Sixth and Fifth streets. This measurement gave the area 10,098 square feet, making 2 acres, 1 rood, 10} perches. In this condition the Square remained until the year 1760, when that portion of it fronting on Walnut street was purchased. This added exactly one-half to its dimensions, and it now contains, by actual survey, 4 acres, 2 roods, and 21 perches, or 201,960 square feet-being 396 feet on Walnut and Chestnut streets, and 510 feet on Fifth and Sixth streets. Improvements were subsequently made to the Square, the rough surface removed, and the entire area enclosed with a high substantial brick wall. In . the centre, on the Walnut street side of the Square, au antique gate was constructed with a brick structure
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over it,* as a sort of ornament. About that period, . on the line of Sixth street, there stood against the wall a long row of sheds, placed there for the purpose of securing and feeding horses belonging to the country folk, who came to the city to attend to the business of the Courts, and on other occasions. These sheds, how- ever, were appropriated for various other purposes, and formed excellent loitering places for the Indians, who frequently came to the city on trafficking expeditions, and where they often were found in a state of intoxi- cation after too much Bacchanalian indulgence. It was among a party of Indians, on such an occasion, that Thomas Bradford, a noted man of that day, saw King Hendrick, a celebrated chieftain. This incident occurred a little while before he was killed at Lake George, in the company of Sir William Johnson. A few years afterward, however, these sheds were ap- propriated and used for artillery ranges, the main en- trance to which was on the side of Chestnut street.
For several years after its enclosure by the brick wall, this Square remained unembellished by any thing of an artistic character-the pride and taste of the citizens refusing to beautify it, even by the re- moval of many objectionable natural features. But during the year 1784, a gentleman of respectability and great personal note, named Vaughan,t who had fixed upon Philadelphia as a place of residence, re- solved to improve and render the grounds more at- tractive. The expense was solely borne by himself, but his efforts, thus directed, will be regarded as
# Placed there by a gentleman named Josephi Fox.
t Father of the late John Vaughan, Esq .- Watson's Annals.
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worthy of emulation for many succeeding generations. Ile carefully prepared the grounds by rendering its topographical appearance more suitable for the pur- poses to which it was intended-a resort for the people -and then selected choice trees, which he planted in profusion and great variety. As a natural conse- quence, many of the trees thus planted, being trans- ferred from their primitive soils to new ones, unable to obtain the necessary pabulum, drooped and de- caved, and were replaced by others. Many of the stately elm trees which Mr. Vaughan had been careful in keeping alive, had their foliage annually destroyed by swarms of Lepidopterous insects, which had become so numerous and annoying to the citizens, that the trees were finally cut down to abate the nuisance. After the Square had been improved, and rendered more like the Parks of the East, it gradually became a place of much resort, and with a view to accommo- date the citizens during their promenades, Windsor settees and chairs were liberally distributed in it as seats on which to rest, and enjoy the coolness of that rural retreat, in summer, when each felt like passing a few hours,
"Stretched in the shade of those old trees, Watching the sunshine like a blessing fall- The breeze-like music wandering o'er the boughs ; Each tree a natural harp-each different leaf A different note, blent in one vast thanksgiving."
Pre eminently calculated to attract the fashionable and virtuous to its umbrageous avenues, thousands resorted hither for pleasurable recreation. But in this respect it soon began to grow less inviting; the dissolute and tavern frequenters congregated in it to
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such an extent that the more respectable citizens re- fused to walk there after the shadows of evening had fallen. So that, "in spite of public interest to the contrary, it ran into disesteem among the better part of society." Mr. Bradford says that efforts were made to restore its lost credit; the seats were removed, and loungers were spoken of as trespassers; but the remedy came too late; good company had deserted it. and the tide of fashion did not again set in its favor. We deeply regret that the reputation of the Square, in this respect, has not from that day to the present, been improved. We are unable to give the number of trees in the State House Yard at the time of which we write, there being no accessible data at hand ; but at the present writing there are two hundred and ten of various kinds, whose umbrageous arms interlock, and form a canopy of verdure, through which numerous squirrels gambol, and among which the birds twitter, and build their nests. Among these stately sentinels of the Square there are several varieties, the horse- chestnut, elm, maple, buttonwood, &c., and but one small evergreen.
The name of this Square, after the Declaration of Independence was signed, was changed from that of the "State House Yard" to a more appropriate and suggestive one, " Independence Square." This was done for the purpose of harmonizing its appellation with that of the Hall, which received its new name at the same time. The Square is approachable by eight dif- ferent gates, one of which is through the main en- trance to Independence HIall. On entering the Square, through this Hall, the attention of the stranger cannot fail to be attracted by the dissimilarity of the archi-
شوشة
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tectural appearance of the door-way with every other part of the building. This dissimilarity occurred in the following way : when the wood-work to the Hall was ordered to be changed for the purpose of modern- izing its style, the carpenter employed to do it con- structed the door-way after a plan of his own se- lection, and he made it conform to the entrance of St. James's Church. When the Hall was restored to its original style of architecture, the pillars, lintels, &c., were allowed to remain unchanged, and hence the dis- similarity. Propriety and good taste ought to have induced those who had the charge of rechanging the plan to make every part of the building conform to its primitive style. The other entrances to the Square are-one on each side of the State House, one on Fifth, one at the southwest corner of Fifth and Walnut streets, one on Walnut, one at the southeast corner of Walnut and Sixth streets, and one on Sixth street. The Square is appropriately laid off in walks crossing each other at right angles, with a serpentine footway
around the outer-edge. After the improvements, alluded to above, had been made, and the trees* as- sumed a thrifty appearance, public taste demanded the removal of the sombre and dismal brick wall around the Square, and the erection of a new and more tasteful one. Accordingly, it was resolved that the Square should be surrounded with an iron-railing sufficiently massive and high to protect the grass- plats, trees, and shrubbery from outside intrusion ; and the graceful iron palisades which enclose it at
* Dr. James Mease, who was active in superintending the planting of trees before the State House, and also in the Public Squares. - Vide Watson's Annals. -
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this time, were erected. They gave general satis- faction at that time, and are still objects of admiration.
For many years past Independence Square has been used by politicians of various parties as a place in which to hold public meetings. Consecrated as it is to patriotic sentiment, it is considered peculiarly appropriate for enthusiastic demonstrations. But how strangely different do individuals regard the hallowed associations the history of this area is calculated to inspire ! Here, within the enclosure of Independence Square, in full view of the sacred bell that thundered to the world the declaration of human liberty, dis- loyal partisans have uttered declamations unbecoming American citizens; and here, too, have been pro- claimed patriotic sentiments which shall burn with in- extinguishable ardor-spread a divine glow of pa- triotism over the feelings of the people-quicken the pulse of every true American, and cause tyranny and demagogues to tremble. With all these past reminis- cences to create a feeling of reverence for Inde- pendence Square, there have been measures projected which, when fully carried out, will add immensely to the inspirations of the place-the erection of a monu- ment, or monuments, in commemoration of the "Decla- ration of Independence," and in honor of the signers thereof. This patriotic subject was first conceived and acted upon by A. G. WATERMAN, Esq., of Phila- delphia, who, on the 25th of September, 1851, sub- mitted the following preamble and resolutions, which were accepted by the Select and Common Councils.
" The spot on which the Congress of the American Colonies declared their Independence, should be dear to the whole nation to which that act gave birth. It
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is hallowed not only by the heroism of the men, who, in the name of a small and scattered people, renounced the rule of a powerful king, but by the first formal promulgation of the principles of popular liberty, which are the inheritance of our great Republic, and .the guide and hope of the friends of man throughout the world. Viewed with this reference, the Hall of the old State House of the colony of Pennsylvania may take precedence in interest of every other edifice, ancient or modern. In it assembled the Apostles of Political Freedom. In it, calling God to witness the truth of their cause, they pledged their lives to that Revelation of Rights, from the progress of which, in the brief period of human life, we are assured that in due time it will embrace the convictions, and secure the happiness of the whole family of mankind. It is assumed, therefore, that the Thirteen States of 1776 feel a common special pride in the alliance of their names with the Declaration of Independence-with the wisdom which conceived it, the valor which re- solved it, the glory which still confirms it; and that they will unite in further consecrating the place of its adoption, by memorials worthy of the act of its authors. Entertaining these views, be it, and it is hereby
Resolved, By the Select and Common Councils of the City of Philadelphia-
First, That it is expedient to have erected in the grove belonging to the Hall in which the National Independence was declared, one or more monuments, commemorative respectively of the States and of the men, parties to that glorious event.
Secondly, That in order to accomplish this patriotic
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design, the Presidents of Select and Common Councils are hereby directed to furnish a copy of these pro- ceedings to, and memorialize the Legislatures of the States of Massachusetts, N. Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia, suggesting to these Legislatures to appoint each two delegates to a Convention to as- semble in Independence Hall on the 4th day of July, 1852, as guests of the City of Philadelphia, there to deliberate upon a plan of carrying into effect this proposition in a manner becoming the means of their constituents, and the memories of the illustrious dead.
Thirdly, That in the event of this proposition having a favorable response from the States addressed, the Select and Common Councils of the City of Phila- delphia, in the name of the citizens, are pledged to hold the grounds of Independence Hall free from all encroachments upon the monuments to be erected, and to guard the same equally with the Hall itself, as a sacred and national trust forever."
These resolutions were patriotically calculated to excite a wide-spread and general sentiment in favor of the enterprise; and on the 7th of October, 1852, the Councils of Philadelphia passed other resolutions, designating the necessary legal steps in order to make their action permanent and invested with suitable powers. A committee was appointed to draw up an address to the Legislatures of the "Old Thirteen States," soliciting the enactment of laws to assist in the erection of the Memorial, from which we extract.
"Our purpose in now addressing you, is to solicit your hearty co-operation in the execution of this
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design. That event ushered a new member into the family of nations, and electrified all Europe. It opened a new revelation of liberty, and changed the relations of people and government, by teaching the one how to resist and conquer oppression, and the other the absolute necessity to its own continuance, of recognizing and respecting the rights of humanity. From that time forth, a new, vital, and quickening spirit has pervaded the world. Thrones have been shaken, empires have been overturned, society has been convulsed, blood and carnage have desolated the carth-but still the intelligence and soul of the people of all Christendom have been revivified, elevated and expanded to a comprehension of their rights, which will never be obliterated nor forgotten, but will ad- vance, enlarge and increase, until that moral and social preparation for the appreciation and enjoyment of liberty shall be effected, which in the Divine economy is so indispensable to the permanence of free institutions. While such have been the results abroad of that mighty movement which the fullness of time "developed after a century of preparation, how can human language describe the vast consequences which have flowed from it in this favored land? To what point shall we look without finding overwhelming evidences of its all-powerful influences ? Thirty-one free, happy, and independent sovereign States, created out of thirteen struggling and depressed colonies, governed by laws to which they never assented, by tyrannical ministers who regarded them as valuable only on account of the opportunity they afforded of extending power and patronage, their trade and com- merce shackled by oppressive restrictions, and their 7*
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prosperity checked by petty jealousy ; a population of nearly twenty-five millions of inhabitants, rejoicing in moral, social, religious, and commercial prosperity, springing from only three millions scarcely able to maintain existence; a Territory watered by the At- lantic and the Pacific, and every sea whitened by our canvas-respected, honored, and feared by the nations of the earth-overflowing with wealth, and exuberant in all the elements of prosperity and happiness- where, where on the face of this globe is there a country with which we would exchange conditions ? To whom and to what are we indebted for these price- less blessings ? To an overruling Providence, and to the men who framed, who declared, and who achieved our Independence. Our hearts ache with the desire to do something to testify our gratitude, our venera- tion, and to prove that we are not unworthy of such a heritage. Have we no lesson to teach our children and their children's children ? Shall they not be per- petually reminded of the goodness of God, and the self-sacrificing bravery and devotion of their ancestors? -Shall they not have one national shrine of patriotism to which all, without distinction of creed or opinion, can repair, and unitedly, with one heart and one soul, pour out their thanksgiving and their love ? We are so constituted by our Creator that visible signs and representations are necessary to awaken our sensibili- ties, to stimulate our affections, and to nerve our resolutions. As the third generation of that posterity for whom the men of the Revolution chiefly labored, and suffered, and died, it is peculiarly fitting that we should erect such representations of their great and controlling acts as shall speak to our own hearts, to
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our children's hearts, and shall testify to God and the world that we appreciate and reverence, and would cultivate and disseminate the mighty truths and prin- ciples which brought our nation into existence, which constitute its very life, and of which it seems designed by Providence to be the special defender and .pro- tector. How can liberty dwell in a country that re- presses the outward marks of homage and reverence for its principles ? It is one of the most solemn and imperative duties, which we may not neglect with im- punity, to watch the sacramental flame of liberty, to feed it constantly with the aliment necessary to its ex- istence, to keep it bright and glorious, and to deliver it to our successors with the charge, that as they claim . the benefits of its hallowed influences, so will they preserve and maintain it. To these ends the pro- posed monument will exercise a powerful influence. Paltry, in comparison with our ability, as will be the cost, its value will consist in its consecration of a great principle, the divine right of a people to redress their wrongs and achieve their liberty, and to establishi such government as their circumstances may require, and they may be able to maintain."
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