The Prescott daily news., 1908-07-03

institutions of his country was deeper even than his regard for the stage. stood on the same spot. and on Fourth of July morning read the words of Jefferson, as no man has read them before or since A great crowd was present. perhaps the largest ever as- sembled, and the actor during and aft CT the reading was cheered again and again
 Forest esteemed the Declaration of Independence as the best single piece of composition in existence. valuing 1t even above his beloved Shakespeare
 Two years after the first Fourth of July, there occurred celebration in Independence square that had a spe- cial significance. The advance of the British, and their occupation of Phil adelphia during the winter of i777- 171S, had forced congress to leave the Quaker city and go to York.
 After the evacuation congress re- turned July 2 and . grand celebration of the recurrence of the promulgation of the declaration was held, in which nearly the entire population of Phila- delphia joined Chevalier Conrad Al exander Gerard of France, the first minister ever accredited to the United States from any power. was an inter- este spectator.
 During the centennial in Philadel. phia there was naturally Q notable demonstration, and no less a person than Don Pedro. emperor of Brazil. sat among those who cheered the sen timents that had sounded the downfall of monarchy in this country. and were finally to take his throne from the ruler of Brazil.
 In later years, another represents tive of foreign country was the cen. tral figure at Independence square, Wu Ting Fang, Chinese minister. spoke there with fine eloquence, and made one of the best speeches cred ited to him in his many felicitous utter ances in this country.
 The anomaly that he was the envoy of one of the most absolute of mon- archies did not prevent the celestial from painting in most graphic phrase what the venerable building stood for.
 During his first administration. Grover Cleveland, president of the United States. came to Philadelphia one Fourth of July and, standing on platform raised on the square, ap- pealed to the young manhood of Amer ica that the great lessons of 1776 be not ignored.
 Samuel J. Randall. Judge Kelley. Gen. Grant. Lewis Cassidy have also figured prominently in Fourth of July celebrations there.
 During the administration of Mayor Warwick, himself an orator of genuine gifts, every year was made the oc. casion of notable demonstrations to which were invited men of national fame
 Under the direction of the governor or Pennsylvania a work of incalculable interest has been finished at Valley Forge park by the state.
 Valley Forge has a close relation. ship with Independence day. and inc old camp site has proved a Mecca a. July to thousands of Americans who come from all over the union to nav a tribute to the fathers of the United States who suffered and died on this historic spot. Practically the entire site has been reserved. A chanel has been erected on the spot whore Washington was discovered at prayer.
 At the moment Valley Forge nart comprises about 175 acres. It u properly policed and cared for yby workmen. whose duty it is to keer the roads and the entire park In perfsct order.
 Public interest has kept pAce witA the work. On Memorial day 1.600 per sons registered at the beadquartsrA and this is probably not tone-fourth od those who were in the Iark.
 Anywhere from 800 to 10000 Amer jeans will fittingly celebrate July ( 1908. by going sfer the ground. a which their heoic forefathers undsp went the sur'rings that made iaAe pendence po<iblA