7/2/08

A leap forth of faith or The first Fourth


TRI-O’s:Oddities, observations & opinionsBy Herb Kandel


The BH (Better Half) and I were rummaging in a quaint antique store. There among the distressed furniture and curios was this beat-up wooden chair with a high back on which were some carved initials worn smooth. After a quick dusting, it provided a surprisingly firm and solid seating.

On each side were levers, much like the ones on modern recliners, three on the right and two on the left. The right arm rest had embedded in it three rows of dials, the left had two similar ones. Each dial had a pointer which rotated to the barely visible markings on the circumference of the dial.
Curiosity soon took hold. The creaky levers were shifted about and the rusted pointers, in need of WD-40, were turned. I closed my eyes and, as if by magic, my journey started. Come along with me to where this chair, now turned chariot, transported this rider.

The day was pleasant with a slight breeze. “What city is this?” I asked a man in knickers passing by.
“You are in Philadelphia, brother.”

“Can you tell me what that building is and why all the activity of folks milling around here?”

“You must be a newcomer to our city. That’s the State House and those men entering it, in the weskits, ruffles and wigs are the delegates to the Continental Congress. Two days ago, on Tuesday, July 2, they endorsed the idea of a Declaration of Independence. Today the Congress is to approve a final, edited version of the document.”

My newfound friend, Percy, and I went to the open window of the State House and listened to the debate conclusion and the morning vote. It was about 11 o'clock. Twelve colonies voted for it, and New York abstained. It was then ordered that the document be authenticated and printed. Only two people signed.

“That’s John Hancock, the president of Congress. The other is Charles Thompson, the secretary,” whispered Percy.

The Congress went on to other mundane business.“Percy,” I said in amazement, “they just passed the Declaration of Independence freeing us from the king and proclaiming a new country, the United Sates of America. Why are there no shouts and celebration?”

“Oh, they will when it is read aloud to the public on Monday, July 8 in the State House Yard. There will be parades, cannon discharges, drums, bonfires and bells clamoring.
"But you should have been here this past Monday and Tuesday. Monday was when John Dickinson, delegate from Pennsylvania, fought against a separation from England and wanted a reconciliation within the framework of the law. He abstained from voting and signing the document. He said of independence that it would be 'to brave the storm in a skiff made of paper.'
“He was opposed by John Adams, delegate from Massachusetts, who desired independence from the mother country even if it meant bloodshed. Adams’ impassioned speech (some say the greatest in his life) had Jefferson say ‘[it spoke] with a power of thought and expression that moved us from our seats.’

“Two crucial things then happened Tuesday, July 2: Caesar Rodney, Delaware delegate, a swing vote for independence showed up. One side of his face was covered by a silk scarf to hide the ravages of cancer, he had ridden 80 miles on horseback to vote to free his country. The other event was the two empty chairs belonging to John Dickinson and Robert Morris. Without their dissent, Pennsylvania voted for independence. So, at last, with the words and the votes the colonies declared their independence.
“Yes indeed, Adams later said that 'The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epocha in the history of America … to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations from one end of the continent to the other from this time forward forever more' ”

“And here I thought all along that this July 4 in 1776 was the day of tribute and celebration. What about the heat and flies we were told about?”

“Well we did have some scorchers, and there were plenty of horseflies from the stable nearby. In fact Tom Jefferson observed, 'That it is not at all unlikely that this debate will be ended not by the sharp logic of the delegates but by the even sharper bite of the horseflies,’ ”

Percy laughed at this and tapped me on the shoulder for emphasis. The tapping continued.
“Honey, wake up.” I opened my eyes. There was the BH’s hand on my shoulder. “You dozed off while I was gone. How could you do that in such an uncomfortable looking chair?”
“It wasn't so bad,” I said as I stepped away from the wooden relic. It was then that I more closely inspected the carved initials on the back piece, “HGW.”Nah, it couldn’t be! Me, a time traveler!!

Note: Though the trip was imaginary but the events are factual from “John Adams” by David McCullough.

http://www.baldwincountynow.com/articles/2008/07/02/columnists/doc486a8968eb5f8913655322.txt