The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1876-06-10

unveiled to the public representation ii
wax Of att the Signers of the Declaration
Of Independence. This work has been
over year in preparation, and the enter
prise has been aided BY number Of patri-
otto PhiladeIphians. The models are an
taken either from the portraits preserved
in Independence Hall or srom portraits
still in possession Of the descendants Of
those who affixed their signatures 70 the
paper which separated the Colonies from
the rule Of foreign power, All the cos,
tunes we're taken from the most authentic
sources, and the furniture is uerfeet
counterpart of that used in the Continen.
tial Congress. The audience, which as
sembled by special invitation Monday
evening, were RECALLED during the waiting
moments by the music Of an excellent
cornet band, and at precisely 8 o'clock,
while the harmonies of a0ld Hundred
filed the air, til, rd, white, and blue cur
tain was dropped, and the delighted visi-
tors were confronted with vision Of the
Continental Congress Of one hundred
years ago. There, in the historical high
backed chair, sat John Hancock with an
expression as bold, true and unswerying
as the firm, uniform lines Of his own sig
nature; to the right stood Charles Thomp.
son, who afterwards read the Declaration
from the window Of Independence Hall;
near him was Benjamin franklin, with
MS philosophical forehead, benevolent,
mouth, and economical chin, and BY his
side was Thomas Jefferson, in the act Of
submitting his draft Of the Declaration Of
Independence. On the right Of Jefferson
were Robert r. Livingston. Roger Sher-
man, and John Adams, the last Eve men
toned having been the committee to whom
was referred the duty and honor Of pre-
pairing the immortal document. At the
Secretary's desk was seated Benjamin
Harrison, of Virginia. OF the more
familiar faces noticeable among those sea-
ted around in the old-fashioned chairs or
standing in the background we're DR.. Ben
jamin Rush, Samuel Adams, Robert Treat
Paine, George Clymer, John Morton,
Richard Henry Lee, Rev. DR.. Wither-
spoon, and Charles Carroll, of Carrollton.
In addition to the fifty-six signcrs there
were exhibited the counterparts Of George
Washington, Martha Washington, Cen
eral Lafayette, and Bishop White. While
it must be admitted that in a strong
light the figures have some little waxiness,
it is nevertheless true that this presenta-
tion Of the Continental Congress, as it
probably appeared at the most critical
moment Of the nations existence, is not
only au excellent and, ut this time, most
appropriate enterprise, but is from an
artistic point Of view, fairly successful.
After appropriate music and a thorough
description of the figures, the company,
which was quite large and highly pleased
with this life-like representation, seemed
anxious for some further expression Of
opinion, and SO Colonel Forney was clam
orously called for, and made few remarks
referring to the really worthy representation
and to some of the distinguished charac-
ters. This, he said, was the platform Of
peace between England and America, and
the North and South, where we could vel
come our British friends and rejoice over
an empire Of loss to England but gain to
the world--where tho South could join
the North without any sensibilities being
touched. After Colonel Forney, Rev. DR..
Nevin, of Lancaster, spoke touchingly Of
Rev. DR. Witherspoon, of New jersey, and
told some beautiful anecdotes Of Lee, JEFF
fersop, Harrison, aud Hancock. The rev.
erend gentleman was exceedingly interest
ing and full of "reminiscences. Benjamin
Rush. the grandson of Rep;.m;a' pnsh
the s;vner wa. nov. ..I,sd -. ~
made : beautiful snes.h Z wh;sh M ~ 3
resarrea i Il. a...h i ,rh,.,,.. I I'sa..s'' =
and .Iobn Ad.ms ~ "A A a,h e 's'sSl r.s,''
1920 ex.o,lv ser va..s .s.~ ~ ~,
ho.h s;anad n. n..,.~s,;s. s. T, M