The evening times., 1900-06-18
VALLEY FORGE CELEBRATION.
Oratory on the Site of washinEton's
Famous Camp.

VALLEY FORGE. Pa. June IS.-The
one hundred and twenty-secoDd anniver-
sary Of the Revolutionary Army's evacua-
tion Of its most famous camp was com
memOrated here Saturday. patriotic
host invaded the historic site ard took
possession OF the picturesque knolls and
slopes which had been held against
enemy and elements alike by Washing
tons intrepid forces Governor Stone pre-
sided at the celebration on the hill Here
the visiting thousands assembled and were
stirred TO frequent patriotic outbursts by
the utterances Of the days orators.
The speakers included Congressman.
Pennsylvania Governor and Adjutant
General. and an ex-Confederate command
er. President Mckinley had been invited
TO the exercises. but being unable to at
tend, sent the following letter:
al have been much gratffed at the eordiality Of
the invitation extended 90 TO visit Valley
Forge Field Day. June I6. and am very sorry
that ! precluded for the reason explained 20
your committee from being with you during the
interesting exercises arranged for the day. TIE
preservation Of historic ground IN country
which has been made dear by patriotic memories
viii keep forever before the lesson taught by
the scenes there en1cted-lcsSoIHs OF enhsrance of
loyalty, and Of sacrifice; and rich Is our coun-
Try in fields h1llOWed by the blood q heroes none
Is dcarer 10 our hearts than Valley Forge. where
with untold sufferings during the long winter
camp. lay the little army Of heroes upon whom
rested the success Of our struggle for liberty and
independence
The descendants Of these patriots and all those
who have come within the influence which this
vslOT must command and viii surely rncour-
age the maintenance of the landmarks which wit
Messed perhaps their keerest sufeTiuGs and the
greatest danger 10 the Independence.
Please express on this oevasion my hearty best
wishes for the happy c0ns5lmmatiou Of the work
the site Of the winter camplat Valley Forge may
be forever preserved 70 our people Sincerely
yOu1s, WILLIAM MCKINLEY.
The Governor. in opening the exercises
referred to the famed camp ground as the
central point OF Interest for students OF
United States history. He expressed him
self heartily in favor Of making the his
toric site a great national park and pre-
serving the fast decaying landmarks. Gen
eral Basil Duke. Of Louisville. KY. who
wore the gray in the great civil struggle
seconded the Governors remarks From
the stand his eyes roEsd over forest OF
small flags displayed by the throngs on the
hillside. and he prophesied that never
again would there be division Of the
States now proudly acknowledging the
Stars and Stripes.
Representative James E Watson. OF In
diana. pledged himself to support sny
bill 10 make the Revolutionary camp site
a national park. and declared that Con
gress should set up shafts throughout the
grounds dedicated to the troops from the
various States Representatives Wagner
and Thropp paid tributes TO the men in
bun and blue who marched from the scene
OF terrible hardships TO speedy triumph at
Trenton and a glorious finale at York
town
Various patriotic societies were rep-e-
sented In the celebration. Delegations from
ali the centres. including Philadelphia,
swelled the crowds which participated.
From the green slope. between the inner
line of entertainments and the redoubt Of
the Connecticut troops, a splendid panora-
mic view OF the first line Of defence was
enhanced by swarming sightseers- On the
extreme right of the grand stand a mile
away. flag marked the grave OF Lieut.
John Waterman, attached to the Rhode
Island troops This is the only grave OF
hundreds that has been positively identi-
fed.
Much interest is being taken in the pro-
ject to make the place a national park
A. ]. Mathews. a wealthy resident of the
locality will subscribe 81 900 TO a s5o. 900
park fund, and promises 10 make the
amount $4,000 If 100000 can be raised