The log cabin Democrat., 1908-07-02

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 a celebration in | Independence square that had spe- cial significance. The advance of the British, and their occupation of Phil adelphia during the winter of 1777- ITS, 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. ested spectator.
 During the centennial in Philadel. phia there was naturally a 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 representa-. two Nf 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 l 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 of to which were invited men of national fame
 Under the direction of the governor of Pennsylvania 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 the old camp site has proved a Mecca on July to thousands of Americans who come from all over the union to pay 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 chapel
 has been erected on the spot where
 Washington was discovered at prayer.
 At the moment Valley Forge park
 comprises about 175 acres. It is
 properly policed and cared for l.
 workmen, whose duty it is to keep thc
 roads and the entire park in perfect
 order.
 Public interest has kept pace with
 the work. On Memorial day 1.500 per
 sons registered at the headquarters
 and this is probably not ope-fourth o1
 those who were in the park.
 Anywhere from 5000 to 10000 Amer
 jeans will fttingly celebrate July 4
 1908, by going over the ground. on
 which their heroic forefathers under
 went the sufferings that made inds
 pendence possible