National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-06-06

A Remembering Party visits Washing
ton and Pronounces Nc sinful.

Accommodating Party visits Wsshtng-
ton and Pronounccs II sinful.
Tho advance guard of the Salvation Army
entered Washington yesterday. The recon-
noitorers-seven in numbor-came with the
excursion of Mennonites from Lite, Pa, aud
brass band attachment. The Mcnnonites
numbered about 300. The men all wore their
hair and boards long, broad brimmed SLOUGH
hats, and were in their shirt sleeves. Nearly
all of them carried large and formidable
hickory clubs, and but two of thom wore coll
lars or neckties. The women were all short and
stout, and were attired in lawn dresses and
poke bonnots There was not an ornament
displayed on their persons, and as they
marched up the avenue they looked like
grown-up members of some orphan asylum.
These people are of peculiar habits, and re-
tain many of the customs Of the early Puri-
tans. Once In fivo years they hold conven-
tions, or "The Meeting of the Mount The
chief features OF this convention are the
washing of feet by the elder, amounting the
converts, blessing the head. and the like.
The people of this sect are seldom seen away
from home and yesterdays was tho first
party to participate In an exclusion.
Sister Abbie Huntington, chiefofth Saliva
tion Army, Duchess of Liturgy and Empress
of Philadelphia" headed the six exhorters.
The brass band Is composed of seven Teutons,
and consisted of drum fife, cornet, flute,
French horn, cymbals, and clarionet. The
band played all sorts OF airs, from "Over tho
Garden WalP' TO "Jesus Waits" and were
received with enthusiasm and missiles. Sister
Huntington is a pleasant-faced woman
of 30, and wastes considerable
time in smiling and shaking her neck, as
If her long, stiff collar hurt her. She woro
dress of plaid, made ip picnic style, and
had sandals on her feet A largo brooch held
her collar in nlapa with n chain atfaphah
holding pair of scissors. A Derby hat wi tn
red feathers sat jauntily on her head. A pack
of cigarettes was in her pocket. She has
blue eyes and blonde, or red, hair. The other
i've members were o motley crowd, and the
talent of every pawnbroker in Philadelphia
was displayed in their toilet. Two old men,
three midde-aged women, and young girl,
who looked as If she was ashamed of herself,
completed the party.
Just come over to look on" said Sister
Abbie, marshaling her forces in front of tho
depot, and informing tho reporter that no
was sinful. YES" she continued, adjusting
the red feather in her hat to suit her, tho
whole world is sinful, and especially WASH
ington. The meanest of thieves arc educated
ones" One of tho old men pronounced this
proverb original and Sister Abbie smiled
"You see" calculated the sister, at was q
mistake in putting the capital here. i am
gong to make an effort to have it moved
up to Bethlehem, where the people are good"
And the young girl said, amen" "This
convention that is now going on Is disgrace
to the Christian world, said Miss Abbie. and
purgatory will be too good for those who
participate. 1t was / who first saved re-
porter, and intend to so right on. Look
here. young man, arc you converted y she
asked And being informed that the reporter
was Phiistine, she told him that his scarf
pin was suicide.
arthur is in favor of us having the capi-
Nal al hafa 4 L.. Il-t.. 4
an old woman said amen"
Miss Abbie then sang song, beginning
1.-THE saint awaits" to the tune Sweet
Violets." Miss Abbie and her five followers
then went out to SEQ the sights, and the band
matched pennies for the beer.
This party is n. g." said Miss Abbie, re-
ferring to the Mennonites. "They are too
much on the gush. 1 don't like 'em;" and
she added ''amen."
The party hung about town all day, and
left for home on late evening train. Miss
Abbie informed the reporter as she was get
ting on tho train that she was a lady.