Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-02-22
WASHtNGTON'S BIRTHDAY.
HOW the Day WAS Observed az the
Capital City.

HOW the Day WAS Observed az the
Capital City.
| The one hundred and fftieth anniversary OF the
birthday OF George Washington, who now lives as
the chief figure in the heroic age OF our country
| fell this year upon q day when nature seemed 10
put on her gayest garb in honor OF the occasion
AS the day has been constituted legal holiday In
the District, Uncle Sans ofrlces and work shops
were closed. and there was a general suspension
OF business in the city. The flag to whose glory
George Washington has contributed 50 murh
fioated gaiy in the sunlight on the top of every
building. There was no general celebration OF the
day. The District artillery fired 4 salute at noon
the Oldest Inhabitants celebrated the day in gooi
OLD style at the Cit. Hall, and the Washington
Light Infantry Corps and the Capital City Guards
paraded in the afternoon.
The Oldest Inhabitants Celebrate.
1t was twenty minutes past eleven O'Clock this
morning when Mr. Jenkins Thomas, president OF
the Oldest InhabItantS' Association, raped vigor-
| orously on the clerks desk in the supreme Court
| room at the City Hall There WAS gathering OF
old gentlemen there. upon whom the full length
portrait OF George Washington. back Of the chief
Justices chair, looked down apparently with much
serenity and satisfaction that his memory should
be cherished SO proudly 10y the old men and sagcs
OF tne District Among those present were the
treasurer, Seraphim Mast. NJ. T. Parker. Capt.
James Goddard, Benedict Miiburn, Edwin N.
! Drew Michael Nash, Wm Ii. Tenney, Gen. Geo. G.
THOMAS, Thos. Entwisie. j. Goldsborough Brufr,
! L. Knowles, Rev. f. $. Evans, Col Jas. 4 TAFT. A.
u. Young. Geo. J. HUI, ir., r. W. Clarke, NJ. G.
Iaughlin. Joseph Higgins. VIM II. Smith and
Thos. A. Lazenby. The chairs within TIE
bar were nearly all filled by members Of
side OF the bar were a number whose callow
youth excluded them from equal participation IN
.ne ceremonies OF The day. A number Of Young
the sacred precincts and sat among the venerable
citizens there assembled Such annual reunions
are always the occasion OF much merrment among
never iaiis 10 get laugh is for some whte-hared
sire TO refer to another in tone OF mock conenpt
as "a boy or young fellow"
THE CHAIRMAN AND TUE ORATOR.
So the assembly was in a very good humor when
Mr.. Thomas raped upon the desk. Nj. CaIlan.
the secretary, being absent, Mr. Thos. A. Lazenby
was chosen 70 perform his duties This arrange
ment had no sooner been made than the orator of
the day, MI. Joseph II. Bradley. appeared in the
chamber and was greeted with applause. Mr.
Bradley, who wore bntton-hoie bouquet on his
lapel and had his spectacles thrown back on his
Forehead, was assigned the seat OF honor beside
tine president
RELICS OF TEE oLDES TINES.
Mr.. William ii. Tenney, of West Washington,
presented to the association s. note of tie
Georgetown Importing and Exporting company
OF date 1915. signed by Henry FoXhall, president,
and Walter Saith. agent; also the firm signature
OF Riggs Peabody, the old Georgetown meTcau-
tie tie firm, composed Of Elisha Riggs and Georse
turned 10 Dir. Ienney for his contribution
TIE FAREWELL ADDRESS.
Capt Goddard was then introduced and with
few well chosen predatory remarks, read Georoe
Washingtoa's farewell address Though the men,
berS OF the society have heard the address read
year t'r year. until it has lost the thrilling In
terest il undoubtedly had when it was first ut-
tered by George Washington, they listened 10 it
Today with heads bent forward with attentive
interest and now and then broke out In applause
which was as much compliment 10 Capt Col
dard. whose eiocutton was very tine, as to the
sentiments OF the address Capt. Goddard ftniSucd
the reading at noon.
THE ADDRESS
Mr.. Thomas then introduced as the orator Of the
Gay MI Joseph II. Bradley. Mr.. Bradley stated
that he was in no condition To speak He WAS
however, the oldest native citizen Of Washington.
having been born March ~. 1s03 and he took this
h S az se af ss woaa to
then read his addSpss, which was markell not
only by the pure sprfs OF patriotism which per-
vaded il, but rhetorical effort of ine order.
He was frequently appauded
Mr.. Bradley gave review OF Gen Washington's
life, and an admirable analysis OF his character.
After referring to the adoption OF the clause in the
Constitution referring to
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SEAT OF GOVERNMENT
Mr. Bradley said: "Under an act OF Congress at
its first session, Gen. Washington being President,
he was authorized to accept grants from the states
OF Maryland and Virginia for a permanent
seat OF government for the United states
in the convention and the Settled rules
without an amendment OF the Constitution At
teInptS have been made from time to time to re-
But that is not all CONGRESS directed a plan
t tea to the President for his approval, snd
too, was done, and the original plan, with his
autograph, still exists in the archives OF the
missioner OF public buildings These have been
the subject for riiicule and sarcasm, abuse and
criticism. but now as they are being developed 10y
buildings, payements and trees, they show the
judgment, skill, sound and pure taste of him who
approved them, and that this is TO be
THE MODEL CITY OF THE WORLD.
Nor is this all Congress Incorporated sThe
City Of Washington" not Washington city, giving
to it by preeminence the name OF its illustrous
founder. Not only do not yourselves, but so far
as you can, let net others draw down this name
from its high purpose OF transmitting his name
to future ages, TO unborn millions, who will ever
him, more than all Others we owe the fact that
this city is the permanent seat of government of
the United States, and that it is the City OF
Mr.. Bradley spoke for three quarters of an hour
MT. Thomas then thanked the people in the
the society again assembled, the Fourth OF
July, they would meet them again.
. Mr. Tenney moved the thanks of the society to
Mr. Bradley, whom he termed the "Washington vi
our society" and to Capt. Goddard. The motion
was carried.
The gathering then dispersed.
WASHINGTON N scBIPTURAL PROPHECY.
strange looking old gentleman In a linen dus-
ter, who gave his name as F. W. Sprague, of Rhode
Island, as the people were passing out addressed
them in the rear OF the court chamber, where he
had queer looking chart suspended on the WALL
The purpose OF his address seemed to be to show
that Scrfptural prophecy had been fulfilled In
George Washington.
The chart had on one side a full length portrait
representing Washington, and on the other fig
ure of man whose identity was not clearly made
known, While between these figures were sketches
OF various geological specimens, one OF which was
said by the speaker to represent the white horse
On which Washington passed under the triunphal
arch at Trenton
The Military Paradcs, Etc.
The Washington Light Infantry Corps signalized
the day by appearing on parade for the first time
since the reorganization OF the corps as battalion.
The corps was formed at the armory, little after
three O'clock and moved over the following line OF
march, to the time of martial music, furnished by
the second artillery band: Pennsylvania avenue
TO 18th street. 70 street. to 2d street. street.
to the open space in front OF the Arlington Hotel
where battalion review was held.
The Washington Cadets and the Capital City
Guards, the two crack colored military organiZa-
tonS OF the city also turned out this afternoon,
and, after review In front OF the Arlington, pa
raded to 18th street, to Pennsylvania avenue, to
Sd, to 10TH to F, to 18th, to X to 18th street. to
Massachusetts, avenue. TO 10th, TO K, TO Farragut
Square, whence they marched TO their armor1es
NOTES OF THE DAY,