Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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McCORMICK MESSENGER. McCORMICK. S. THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 1939 Most Important Events in U. S. History Had Their Genesis in a Small Group of Red-Brick Buildings That Stand in Independence Square, Philadelphia By RAYMOND PITCAIRN fKeleased by Western Newspaper Union.) A SMALL group of red brick buildings, simple in design, standing Against the green background wf a mid-city park . . . Above their sturdy walls ise tall skyscrapers. On every side of the famous square about them roars the traffic of a bustling age. But Snr the idea they represent, all could be obscured and last to public consciousness amid the myriad activities of m great city. Yet to this modest and his toric site turn today the eyes and hearts of all men and all aations that love free govern ment. For here is Independence square, Philadelphia, with its world-famous structures — Independence hall, Congress kail. Old City hall, and the American Philosophical So ciety building. Here is America’s noblest ■ferine. Here stands the inspir ing symbol of America’s answer to all who thwarted free govern- jgnent in the past, to all who challenge it today. And in the troubled year of B39, men realize, with a new and poignant sense of values, the great and enduring significance «ff this historic site. Seldom, if ever, have more visitors stopped lere to absorb its patriotic mes sage. Seldom have the historic ■dies, the portraits of the Found ers, the whole story of Liberty here preserved aroused wider na tional and international interest. AU this is apparent not only at Independence square, itself, but elsewhere, too. One of the most popular exhibits at the New York World’s fair today is the Pennsyl vania building, which represents historic Independence hall and tells, in its displays, the story of American liberty and progress ander the free government there established. And what a story! Its preface antedates by decades the Revo- fetion. Its theme runs through ear whole history. Long before the first hint of eeparetion from England, Inde in the long “Parade of Progress” ■staged in the separate buildings or on the greensward of that fa mous square. Independence Hall. Here is the oldest, the most venerated, of the historic struc tures in Independence square. It was erected about 1732 as a state- house for provincial Pennsyl vania from plans designed by An drew Hamilton, brilliant colonial lawyer who won fame as the ad vocate of free speech and a free press. In 1736 the provincial as sembly first held its sessions there, with Hamilton as speaker and Benjamin Franklin as clerk. Here, in 1755, the members of the Pennsylvania provincial as sembly asserted their refusal to “make laws by direction.” Here, in 1757, they determined to send Benjamin Franklin to England to demand “redress of grievances.” Here, in 1764, the citizens of Philadelphia protested the Stamp Acts and declared that no impo sition of taxes against natural and legal rights would be tolerat ed. Here, in 1765, more than 300 of the leading merchants of Phil adelphia signed the Non-importa tion resolutions. And here, in 1775, after the en tire country had been goaded into protest against British tyrannies, assembled the famous Second Continental congress. It was in the now-famous In dependence chamber of Inde pendence hall that Richard He’nry Lee of Virginia offered, on June 7, 1776, the resolution declaring Here, in Independence square, they met to protest the Stamp Acts; and, again, to forbid the landing of the cargo from the tea-ship “Polly.” Here, in June, 1774, they gath ered to denounce the closing of the Port of Boston, and to pro pose a congress of “sister col onies.” i Here, on April 24, 1775, they heard the news of the Battle of Lexington and resolved “ to asso ciate for the purpose of defending with arms their property, liberty and lives.” Here, in 1775, they saw the first Pennsylvania quota mus tered into service with the Con tinental army. And here, on July 8, 1776, they assembled, thousands strong, to hear the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence and to cheer its epoch-making proclamation of the rights anc* the dignity of man. Congress Hall and Others. Independence square had staged the birth of a nation. Now it was to stage the second act of our great American drama: the task of organizing that nation and setting it firmly on a course of unprecedented expansion and development. Not in Independence hall itself were these later events enacted, but in the sister structures, Con gress hall and Old City hall, which flank the older statehouse on either side. To Congress hall moved the First Congress of the United States in 1790, at the conclusion of its first two sessions in New York. Here, in Congress hall, both house and senate continued to meet until 1800, when the new Capitol of the United States was established at Washington. Here congress enacted the most im portant measures of our early re public. Here it debated the fa mous Jay treaty, and admitted Vermont, Kentucky, and Tennes see into the Union. Here, in 1793, it saw George Washington inaugurated for his second term, and later listened to his famous “Farewell Ad dress.” Here, in 1799, it mourned the great leader’s death and heard him eulogized in the in spired words: “First in War, First in Peace, First in the Hearts of His Countrymen.” Here John Adams was inducted as sec ond President of the United States. “Declaration Chamber” in Independence Hall. Here on July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence and on June 14, 1777, the first American flag, were adopted. pentence hall was the capitol of m colony dedicated to political freedom, religious tolerance and justice to all men. Long after our liberty had been won it was the rostrum from which Abra ham Lincoln, Woodrow Wilson, and other national .leaders preached their ideals of freedom. It is our greatest, richest store house of national recollections. Other nations, too, may boast their patriotic shrines. The great cities of Europe are studded with them. But usually they glo- rify the dead past of conquest; the victories of strong captains, and the power of stern kings. But Independence hall and In dependence square tell a greater story. They glorify the freedom md the power of the common man—the ideal established by •ur Founders and preserved by generations of valiant citizens. In a world torn by doubts and fears, they stand confident and serene —a beacon to all humanity, light- tog the way toward peace and happiness and progress. The Independence Square mon- mnent is not merely one historic building; not merely a famous plot of ground. It includes four buildings, in each of which were enacted events profoundly sig nificant to American liberty and American development. Its tree- shaded lawns are as important as Its structures. On them through formative periods were held pub- Ec meetings of protest and of action that played a dramatic role in our great national epic. Let us consider in chronological order some of the notable steps that “These United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States.” It was in this chamber, on July 4, 1776, that the Declaration of Independence, which gave world stirring expression to that reso lution and to the whole cause of human liberty, was adopted. It was here that the Continental- congress appointed George Wash ington commander-in-chief of the Revolutionary armies; that it created the name, “The United States”; that it adopted the de sign of the American flag. It was here, in 1781, that con gress received news of the final victory at Yorktown, and, in 1783, ratified the Treaty of Peace. Then Independence hall, hav ing housed the birth of a nation, became the scene of its firm es tablishment as well. In its chambers had been adopted the Articles of Confed eration. And when they proved inadequate, when the nation sought a “more perfect Union,” it was at Independence hall that the Founders met to draft its form. So here, in 1787, they wrote the Constitution of the United States —America’s firm guarantee that “We, the people” should rule; history’s greatest and most fa mous charter of free government. Independence Square While the provincial assembly and the Continental congress en acted their stirring drama in In dependence hall, the people played a similarly significant part on the wider stage of Inde pendence square. And in Old City hall, during the same ten years, sat the Supreme court of the United States. Here it handed down the first of the decisions which throughout our history have strengthened and clarified the Constitution. As Independence hall and its two sister structures stand as the symbol of our ideal of freedom, so the American Philosophical Society building, which shares with them the famous square, represents the beginning of our national progress in science and its material developments. For here David Rittenhouse, America’s first astronomer, gave to the world the results of his studies. Here Benjamin Frank lin thrilled his notable audiences —and Europe as well—with his ' reports on electricity. Heue \ Benjamin West, the artist; John 1 Bartram, the botanist; Benjamin Rush, the physician and chemist, quickened the spread of learning. Here 15 signers of the Declara tion, and 18 delegates to the Con stitutional convention—including Washington, Franklin, Jefferson, Adams and Madison—sat as of ficers or members of the Philo sophical society. Here were established the first scientific society, the first impor tant museum, the first notable collection of manuscripts and historic relics in the United States. Here, in our earliest days, was created a world-wide respect for American science and learning. Here it was demonstrated that free government and high human development go hand in hand. Liberty Bell Ever Has Been ‘Voice of Freedom And Herald of Victory’ Among all the historic relics in Independence square none to day fans the fires of patriotism, none touches the hearts of visi tors, like the Liberty bell. In its presence they stand en thralled, like devotees at a shrine. There they seem to hear again the announcements of great deeds and the tributes to daunt less men that it tolled through al most two centuries of our early history. Independence hall was the “Cradle of Freedom.” The Lib erty bell was “Freedom’s Voice and Herald.” Throughout our colonial and Revolutionary history, it gave the call that convened the provincial assemblies which battled for the people’s rights; it sounded the summons that brought citizens to Independence square for their meetings of public protest and action. Boldly that eloquent tongue proclaimed the early protests against the Sugar and Stamp acts in 1764 and 1765, the town meeting which forbade the land ing of tea in 1773, the closing of the Port of Boston in 1774, the first hostilities of the Revolution in 1775, and the opening of the Second Continental congress. And then, in July, 1776, it rang the great message foretold in its prophetic inscription—familiar to all Americans today: “Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land Unto All the Inhab itants Thereof.” But its labors in the struggle for freedom were not ended. Throughout the Revolution—ex cept for the brief period when Philadelphia and Independence square were held by the enemy— the Liberty bell remained a her ald of victory. On each July 4 Independence Hall. it commemorated the anniver sary of the Declaration; in Octo ber, 1781, it announced the sur render of Cornwallis at York town; in April, 1783, it pro claimed the treaty of peace and the ultimate triumph of that great principle of liberty to which a new people had dedicated their nation. And in 1788 it announced the birth of our republic, as it rang to celebrate the ratification of the United States Constitution, with its inspiring assurance that “We, the people” should govern. The Liberty bell still served the nation long after the capital had moved from Philadelphia to Washington. From its high tow er in Independence hall, it con tinued to herald both glad news and tragedy. Through many years it pealed on Independence day to celebrate the Declaration, and on February 22 to honor Washington’s birthday. In 1824, it sang a welcome to Lafayette, then re-visiting the nation for which in youth he had fought. And in sadder tones it mourned, one by one, the deaths of the Signers as the years took their inexorable toll. Then on July 8 of 1835, it sound ed its final note. On that day the Liberty bell cracked while in toning a funeral dirge for Chief Justice Marshall, early and most notable interpreter of the Con stitution. Now mute, but still glorious, the bell is preserved, for all to see, in the main corridor of In dependence hall, overlooking the famous square. And its message remains unchanged. Still in elo quent symbolism it continues to proclaim liberty throughout the land and to the inhabitants there of. Still, in July of 1939, it re peats the self-evident truths that it announced so joyously in July of 1776. Still it reminds Amer ica and humanity: “That All Men Are Created Equal— “That They Are Endowed by Their Creator With Certain Un alienable Rights— “That Among These Are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happi ness— “Thai to Secure These Rights, Governments Are Instituted Among Men, Deriving Their Just Powers From the Consent of th*9 Governed.” improved UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL S UNDAY I chool Lesson By HAROLD L. LUNDOUIST. D. D. Dean of The Moody Bible Institute of Chicago. (Released by Western Newspaper Union.) Lesson for July 2 Lesson subjects and Scripture texts se lected and copyrighted by Internationa] Council of Religious Education; used b] permission. SOLOMON: A RULER WHO BEGAN WELL ■ ■ ™ ■*. LESSON TEXT—I Kings 3:5-15. GOLDEN TEXT—Give therefore thy serv ant an understanding heart . . . that I may discern between good and bad.—I Kings 3:9. Success or failure in life is de termined by the measure of a man’s devotion to God and obedience to the will of God. We speak now of real success, not according to the ideas of the world. We are con cerned with what a man is and what he does for God, not with what he may happen to possess. An excellent outline taken from Points for Emphasis, by Dr. Hight C. Moore, most effectively presents the lesson. I. Wisdom Offered (v. 5). Solomon had properly opened his reign by going to Gibeon to offer a thousand burnt offerings because he “loved the Lord” (v. 3). Having re turned from his day of worship, he had fallen into a deep sleep when God spoke to him saying, “Ask what I shall give thee.” It was an unusual offer, a kind of blank check that God gives only to those whom He can trust to fill it out right, as Mac- laren suggests. Sometimes we wish God would give us such an opportunity. “That is just what He has done. He has appeared to you not in dreams, but in broad daylight and by His Son Jesus Christ has said as plainly as He could, Ask and it shall be given you.” He has repeated it three times, saying, ask, seek, find. And then He has returned to say, “Ev eryone that asketh receiveth, and he that seeketh findeth, and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” We have no right “to say that Solomon was more favored than we. We are more favored than he. If we have not, it is because we ask not. If we lose peace and joy, happiness and heaven, it is all for want of ask ing” (Joseph Hammond). H. Wisdom Chosen (w. 6-9). The noble and intelligent choice of Solomon has been much admired and rightly so, for he chose the greatest gift that could come to any man, “an understanding heart.” He might have asked for money or pow er, but with the lack of wisdom to use them properly they would have been a curse to him and to others. Long life is but a continued blight to a foolish man because it only ex tends the time of his folly. All things in the way of possessions must be outside of a man, there fore they may be lost or misused. But what he is and what he has in his heart, these are what make a man worth while. Solomon showed the beginning of wisdom when he chose, above all things, an under standing heart. III. Wisdom Granted (vv. 10-14). There can be no higher word of commendation than to say that a man’s choice “pleased the Lord” (v. 10). To have that attitude of mind and heart which expresses it self in words and actions so exactly in conformity *o the will of God that the Almighty Himself is pleased, is to be ready for God’s unlimited blessing. Solomon asked for wisdom, and because he re ceived that gift from God, he was ready to receive riches, honor, and power. We may by God’s grace go the same way and take from His blessed hand numberless gifts. Note the qualifying word “if” in verse 14. Solomon failed God in his later years as king. The tragic results are written for all to read. That way none of us should ever go. The lesson is plain—ffaith takes blessing from God; unbelief brings failure and sorrow. Let everyone that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. IV. Wisdom Exercised (v. 15). When Solomon awoke from his dream he showed his faith in God’s promise and in fact demonstrated the wisdom which was now his pos session, by returning to his capital city, Jerusalem, to stand before the ark of the covenant in reverent wor ship, then to lead his people in a public service of confession and con secration, which was followed by a great religious feast which drew the king and “all his servants,” the people of Israel, into a blessed unity before the Lord. One could wish and pray that all the rulers of the earth whether in democracies or under dictatorships might have the wisdom and humility of Solomon. The world is in utter confusion and really confesses that it does not know the way out of its difficulty. It has not yet turned to God. If rulers and people would fall upon their faces before Him in contrition and supplication, it would not be long before we would see both spiritual and material peace and prosperity. Make It Positive Scripture seems to make it posi live that every soul has everlasting ness, but Scripture also seems to make it positive that for Jesus’ kind of everlastingness every soul ha: got to qualify. Breath of Air Friend—Hello, George. Out for a stroll this fine evening? Farmer—Yep! I need a mouth ful of fresh air after being cooped up on a hunert-sixty acres all day. Silver Silence Youth (to fair companion)— Have you ever tried listening to a movie with your eyes shut? Voice (from row behind)—Have you ever tried listening to one with your mouth shut? A REMINDER “How the tide comes in with its long, green roll!’ “Simply a delicate intimation that we will have to come in with one, too, if we expect to stay here more than one week.” Ultra Mrs. Skjold—I wish to buy a fashionable dress. Clerk—Yes, madam, will you have it too tight, too long or both?. You’ve really got insomnia if you can’t sleep when it’s time to get up. Silver Silence Youth (to fair companion)— Have you ever tried listening to a movie with your eyes shut? Voice (from row behind)—Have you ever tried listening to one with your mouth shut? TAKE FOR MALARIA Get Relief From Chills and Fever! Don’t put up with terrible Malaria. Don’t endure the wracking chills and fever. „ , At first sign of the dread disease^ take'Grove’s Tasteless Chill Tonic. A real Malaria medicine. Made especially for the purpose. Contains tasteless quinidine and iron. Grove’s Tasteless Chill Tonic ac tually combats Malaria infection in the blood. Relieves the awful chills and fever. Helps you feel better fast. Thousands take Grove’s Tasteless Chill Tonic for Malaria and swear by it. Pleasant to take, too. Even children take it without a whimper. Don’t suffer and suffer. At Ma laria’s first sign, take Grove’s Tasteless Chill Tonic. At all drug stores. Buy the large size as it gives you much more for your money. Manner of Doing That which makes one man dif fer from another is not so much what things he does, as his man ner of doing them.—H. E. Man ning. Simple [Neuralgia Relieve the discomfort with this accnrate aspirin, St.Joseph GENUINE PURE ASPIRIN Likes and Dislikes Men love to hear of their power, but have an extreme disrelish to be told their duty.—Burke. N.T. WORLD'S FAIH at “Fair Prices ,, 125.000 inspected rooms from $1.25 per per son in quiet dwellings near Fair grounds. Radio City and shopping districts — hotel service — kitchen facilities. Central advi sory bureau for New York housing. Send for FREE illustrative booklet and information on advance reservations NEW YORK ROOM LISTING SERVICE. INC. 17 East 42nd Street New York CRy Law of Failure Whoever yields to temptation subjects himself to the law of fall ing bodies.—Horace Mann. AT OOOD DRUG STORES B/dnQs 'CessedRelief. RHEUMATISKCTbaco You find thorn announced in the columns of this paper by merchants of our community who do not feel they must keep the quality of their merchan dise or their prices under cover. It is safe to buy of the mer chant who ADVERTISES.