Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-04-30

"As we turn the pages backward and come
upon the story Of that 30th of April in the
year Of our Lord 1889, there is a certain state
Illness In the AIR. certain ceremoniousness
in the manners, which we have banished long
ago. We have exchanged the washingtonian
dignity for the Jeffersonian simplicity. which
was, in truth, only another name for the Jack
sonian vulgarity. And what have we gotten in
exchange for it? In the elder states and dv-
nasties they had the trappings of ROYALTY and
the pomp and splendor Of the kings person to
fill mems hearts with loyalty. Well, we have
dispensed with the old titular dignities. Let
us take care that we do not part with that tre-
mendous force for which they stood! II there
be not titular royalty, all the more need is
there for personal royalty. If there is to be no
nobility Of descent, all the more indispensable
is it that there should be nobility of ascent-a
character in them that bear rule, so fine and
high and pure, that as men come within the
circle Of its influence they involuntarily pay
homage to that which is the one pre-eminent
distinction, the Royalty of Virtue.
And thus, men and brethren. as we
turn to-day and look at him who, on this
morning just an hundred years ago, became
the servant of the republic in becoming the
chief ruler Of its people, we must needs own,
conferred upon him his divine right to rule.
All the more, therefore, because the circum-
stances of his era were SO little like our own
we need to recall his image and, if we may, not
only to commemorate, but to reproduce his
virtues. The traits which in him shone pre-
eminent as our own Irving has described them
Flrmness, sagacity, an immovable justice,
courage that never fatered, and most of all
truth that disdained all artifces.' these are
characteristics III her leaders of which the ma
ton was never in more dire need than now.
And SO We come and kneel at this ancient
and hallowed shrine, where once he knelt, and
ask that God would graciously vouchsafe them.
Here in this holy house We find the witness of
that one invisible force which, because it alone
can rule the conscience, is destined, one day, to
rule the world. Out from airs dense and foul
with the coarse passions and coarser rivalries of
self-seeking men, We turn aside as from the
crowd and glare OF some vulgar highway, swarm
ing with pushing and ill-bred throngs, and
tawdry and clamorous with bediZened booths
and noisy speech, in some cool and shaded
wood where, straight to heaven. some majestic
oak lifts its tall form, its roots imbedded deep
among the unchanging rocks, its upper branches
sweeping the upper airs. and holding high COM
mune with the stars; and, think of him
for whom we here thank God, we say, Such
an one. in native majesty he was a ruler, wise
and strong and fearless, in the sight of God and
men, because by the ennobling grace Of God
he had learned first of all, to conquer every
mean and selfish and self-seeking aim, and so
to rule himself ? For
What are numbers knit
by lt force cor or custom! ,h Man who man would De
Must be supreme, establishing his throne
OF hopes and fears, being himself alone.
''Such was the hero, leader, ruler, patriot,
whom we gratefully remember on this day.
We may not reproduce his age, his young en-
vironment, nor him. But none the less NAV re-
joice that once he lived and led this people,
led them and ruled them psudently' like him,
that Kingly Ruler and Shepherd of whom the
Psalmist sang, ',cih all has po,cer' God give
us the grace to prize his grand example, and,
as we may In our more modest measure, to re-
produce his virtues"
The service concluded with the recessional
hymn.
THE PRESIDENTIAL PARTY
was then escorted by the vestry to the west
the Centennial literary committee. The party
then proceeded to the subtreasury building, at
the corner of Wall and Nassau streets. where
the old federal building stood in which Wash
ington took the oath of Office in 17S9 Here
the literary exercises were held. The order of
carriages on the way to the subtreasury
building was as follows: First carriage
the mayor of the - citv of New
York and the Hon. Hamilton Fish
president of the centennial celebration COM
mlttee. Second carriage-the President of the
United States and the committee on literary
exercises. Third carriage-the Secretaries of
the Treasury, War and the Navy. Fourth car
riage-the Secretary of the Interior, Postmas-
ter-General, Attorney-General and Secretary of
Agriculture. Fifth and sixth carriages-the
Chief Justice and Associates of the Supreme
Court of the United States. Seventh carriage
the general of the army the admiral of the
navy, Senator Eyarts, Senator Hiscock. Eighth
carriage Cleveland and Hayes.
Ninth carriage-Bishop Potter DR.. Storrs and
DR.. Dix. Tenth carriage-the committee ON
plan and scope.