During the day, the streets of Philadelphiawere crowded with people anxious to learnthe decision. In the steeple of the old State House was abell on which, by a happy coincidence, wasinscribed, "Proclaim liberty throughout allthe land unto all the inhabitants thereof." In the morning, when Congress assembled,the bell-ringer went to his post, having placedhis boy below to announce when the Declaration was adopted, that his bell might be thefirst to peal forth the glad tidings. Long he waited, while the deliberationswent on. Impatiently the old man shook hishead and repeated, "They will never do it!They will never do it!" Suddenly he heard his boy clapping hishands and shouting, "Ring! Ring!" Grasping the iron tongue, he swung it toand fro, proclaiming the glad news of libertyto all the land. The crowded streets caught up the sound.Every steeple re-echoed it. All that night, by shouts, and illuminations,and booming of cannon, the people declaredtheir joy.

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