Page:Dorothy's spy; a story of the first "fovrth of Jvly" celebration, New York, 1776.djvu/24

Rh "A Tory is a thing whose head is in England, its body in America, and whose neck ought to be stretched."

"Resistance to Tyrants," "All men are created equal," "George III. is unfit to be the ruler of a free people," were among the inscriptions painted on the streamers or banners carried by the marching men, and although there were many of the spectators who frowned at the sentiments displayed, never one dared to open his mouth in protest, lest he be roughly handled by those who claimed to be Whigs.

Then came a procession of men and women from the markets, nearly all of whom carried some symbol or banner to show their sympathy with the spirit of revolution, and when this had passed the head of Wall street, Mistress Dean and Mistress Lamb led the children toward the common, for the hour was drawing near when the troops would be formed in a hollow square to hear read the Declaration issued by the Congress. Already could be heard the screaming of