Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-03-04

\~E politics. He served
DIR. Z. A. ADAMS. in the late war, being
one Of the first to answer the call. He has
been president of the club since its organiza-
sion, which is proof Of the esteem in which he
ii held by the members, and his ability as an
executive offer.
In the campaign of 1880 the club took a
lively interest in the fourth and fifth Maryland
districts, and aided materially in the election
of r. b. HOlton by sending money and speak
ers in those districts especially to Marlboro,
Bladensburg, and through st. Mary's county;
also sent money to Ohio. Indiana ana Nir-
ginia, and especially exerted themselves by
sending financial aid when that was an Octo-
Der state. They entertained the Republican
Invincible club, of Philadelphia (hlayor VIM;
Smith, presdent). by quartering them at Odd
Fellows hall. East Washington, and gave them
an inaugural ball at Odd Fellows hall north
west at cost of about 81 800. In 1854, by ex,
perience from the previous years, they did
notable work. The officers in this campaign
were: President DR.. E. A. Adams; first vice.
president, Donald McCathran; second vice.
president, Robert Lusby; secretary, Robert
Walton: corresponding secretary, Jno; Z.
Simms; financial secretary, John E. Bucking-
ham, jr.; treasurer. Jno. E. Herrell. In this
year the club made visit to Alexandria, Va,
where they received q warm reception-stones,
&c. Somes of the missiles are in possession
of the club now, kept as souvenirs OF that
memorable visit Notwithstanding the defeat
of the party in 1884 the club still continued to
exist, and was early to the front in the late
campaign. Their headquarters at No. 642
Pennsylvania avenue southeast is handsomely
decorated with flags, banners, emblems and
pictures of republican presidents and candl-
dates. During the different elections they
have special wire and an operator in their
rooms to receive the returns direct During
the last campaign the club visited Takoma
Park, in the fourth Maryland district, and
other points. and as before has contributed
in ciall IN n
diana and elsewhere. One of the features of
the organization is their glee club, consisting
of Messrs. Gill, Hodgson, Van Doren and Bos-
well, and at the meetings. especially during
the campaign, their songs, appropriate and
stirring, brought many additions to the club
from all parts of the city and country in men,
bers and visitors. They were presented with
costly banner and set Of national colors by the
ladies of East Washington last Tuesday, posi-
bly, the most expensive outfit of the kind ever
received in the city by any organization. The
club had about 100 members in full uniform in
line. They wore coats of light melton cloth,
silk hats. gloves. necktie and canes. &c. 1t
has recently changed its name from East
Invincibles," of Washington, d. c. The pres
ent officers of the club are: DIR. E. A. Adams,
president; Donald McCathran. first vice-presi-
dent Robert Lusby, second vice-president; W.
L. Van Doren. secretary; Jno. E. Simms, cor
responding secretary; Geo. Jordan, financial
secretary; Jno. E. Herrell, treasurer.
The Original Hartford ssW ide-Awa
One of the noticeable organizations in line
was the Wide-Awakes of 1860, from Hartford,
Conn.,, who were accompanied to this city by
large number of republicans outside their Or
ganiZation. The formation of the Wide-Awakes
was peculiar, and they became one of the most
prominent factors in the campaign which
ended in the election of Lincoln and Hamlin.
On the evening of February %, 1860, the state
campaign in Connecticut was opened with a
speech by Hon. Cassius NJ. Clay. of Kentucky,
before a large audience in the city of Hartford,
and at the close a number of young men es-
corted him to his hotel with torches. While
in line on Main street several young men who
were clerks in prominent dry goods store,
fearing that dripping oil might injure their
overcOats. ran into the store, tore off large
pieces of black cambria, fastened tapes in the
corners. and then wore them capes, which
was quite novel idea. In this way their pecu-
liar uniform came to be adopted. The forma-
ton of wide-awake clubs became very general
and it was estimated that before the close Of
the Lincoln-Hamlin campaign there were be-
tween 500, 600 and ,000, 600 men uniformed in
the black cap and cape. 1t is not known that
any of the wide-awake clubs have done duty
since the campaign of 1860, excepting this Or
ganiZation. 1t was called together by some of
the former officers in the Garfield campaign of
1880, and responded in large numbers, although
many familiar faces were missing Two parades
were made before and one after the election of
Garfield, and much enthusiasm manifested
Again in 1884 upwards of 200 paraded in day
parade special escort to Hon. James G.
Blaine, who spent few hours in Hartford
Aagain in the last campaign they turned out in
large numbers-twice previous to, and once
after Harrisons election. One of the two flags
carried by this organization presented to
them July q, 1860, by the Newark Wide-Awakes
1t is OF blue silk, having on one side Presented
to, ETC., and on the reverse Lincoln and Ham,
lin. The uniform consisted of dark suit, dark
felt hat with silk Gag bound around it, badge,
white gloves, cane, and white tie. They were
headed by drum and fife corps of old men,
bers, playing old-time tunes. In the ranks were
many veteran officers and soldiers. They were
commanded by Maj. j. G. Rathbun, who is
the Connecticut member of the inaugural civic
committee The Wide-Awakes was marched as
a battalion. Major Rathbun's staff was as fol-
lows: Richard o. Cheney, adjutant; honorary
staff-Major E. Y. Preston, quartermaster; VIM.
B. Clark paymaster; Hon. W. E. Simonds, Judge
advocate; DR.. J. Il. Lewis, surgeon; Rev. Geo.
E. Sanborne, chaplain; Hon. E. Stevens Henry,
engineer; Major c. b. Boardman. inspector; J.
c. Hammond, commissary H, p Hitchcock,
captain first company; E. s. Yergason, captain
second company. Lieutenants- G. Wood
house, Jas. r. Stevens, N. A. Bosworth, John
w. Starkweather. simultaneously. r.
Foley, H. W. Simpson.