Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Philadelphia.
It had been arranged by some one that the bell should be rung the moment the Declaration of Independence was adopted. The old bell-ringer placed a small boy at the hall door to await the signal of the doorkeeper. When at last the vote for independence was declared, the doorkeeper gave the signal, and the boy ran out shouting, "Ring, ring, ring!"
And the old bell-ringer did ring as he never rang before!
The People waiting for the Final Vote on the Declaration.
178. How the Declaration was received by the People.—After it had passed Congress, the Declaration was sent to be read to the people throughout the thirteen colonies. It was received everywhere with the greatest joy. Bells were rung, cannon were fired, fireworks were burned, and flags were flung to the breeze. The bands played martial music, and even the smallest towns and villages were in a blaze of excitement. Washington ordered the Declaration to be read to all the brigades of the patriot army in and around New York City. The occasion was celebrated the same night by pulling down the leaden statue of George III on Bowling Green, and casting it into bullets.
The magic word was Independence.
John Adams truthfully predicted that these demonstrations of joy would be reflected in many a year to come by the people of our free country.
The eloquent words of the Declaration of Independence had been pronounced, but it was left for Washington and his little army to make it good.