Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-07-04

mony which Is always Q feature of the meet
tngs Of the society.
LITTER FROM Mn. KrcKHorEa.
Mr.. A. L. kieckhofer, who was for many years
connected with the banking house of Riggs a
Co., but il now resident Of Baltimore, was IN
vited to be present and play some selections on
his violin. In his letter which was
read oy MI hobt Bal, he regrets that he will
be unable to accept the invitation. NJ he was
apprehensive that the fatigue and excitement
might be too great He adds: my dnugh-
Ter Cors has not yet returned from her
school at Emmetsburg. expect her
most anHously ~ We have ten new compost
violin by Won Weber, the most dificult ever
practiced. We are going to show OF with
them on my birthday, July 7,when shall COM
piete, please God, my eighty-seventh birth
day."
An INTERESTING RELIC.
The report Of the committee appointed TO
make arrangements for the celebration Of the
day was read by Mr.. wineberger aud met with
the approval Of the society. 1t was stated by
Mr.. Robert Ball that Col. Staples had kindly
placed at the disposal OF the society for the day
pubhc meeting. resolution thanking Col.
Staples was adopted
An interesting relic Of former years was pre-
sented to the society by Mr.. John T. Given. II
was letter dated September Is, 1916. md writ
ten by Col. Tobias Lear in regard TO some case
pending before the War Department. Mr..
Given stated that Col Lear. as was well known,
was member OF the household Of Gen. WASH
ington and was present at his death bed.
In the name Of the society President Mar
bury thanked Mr.. Given for his gift, aud in ad-
diticn q vote Of thanks was passed and the doc
ument was ordered to be placed on the archives
of the society,
Mr.. Wineberger observed that the late Mr.
Tuiloch. formerly postmaster of this city was
engaged at the time Of his death IN preparing .
biographical sketch Of Col. Lear. He had Sc
cured good deal Of material in New Hsmp-
shire, where Col. Lear was born.
spirited account of the storming Of Mon
terey, which was written by Col. j. W. McKen-
zie and read at a recent meeting Of the Next
can veterans In San Francisco, was read by Mr..
Given. number of the members OF the
society served in the Mexican war and this &C.
count was followed with great interest.
THE FLAG NOT FLYING.
Attention was called by Mr. VIM Boron to the
fact the that American flag is not flying today
from the public schools. He said that largely
owing to the efforts Of the association the
dag floats from the school buildings
during the session Of the schools. He thought
that on the national holiday the dag should
noat from the public school buildings He
offered resolution TO that effect, which was
adopted.
President Marbury observed that he believed
1t was due to the agitation maintained by Mr.
Boron that now the flag was displayed from
the school buildings during the school sessions.
THE ANNUAL ELECTION.
The annual election Of officers was held and
resulted in the reelection Of the old officers,
Mr.. Allison Nailor being chosen recording sec
Rotary in place Of DE-. Corbin, who died during
the year.
Mr.. A. I. Kieckhofer and Mr.. W. E. Roger
were elected honorary members.
Among those present were J. II. Thompson,
William Boron. Jas. F. Hodgson, S. W. K.
Handy, c. B. Church, Joseph Prather, J. B.
Kern, George Hill, P. May, A. r. Allen. ". d.
Crampsey, B. c. Wright, r. L. Martin,
r. Bell, DIR. J. T. Howard. Ruben Daw, @. E.
u: French, J. H. Thompson, VIM. Bradley,
Charles Schell, A. r. Allen, W. II. Williams,
DIR. James K. Rely.
THE FORMAL CELEBRATION.
At IL O'Clock THE business meeting WINS ad-
journed and the members proceeded to VIII
lard Hall, where public exercises were held A
spirited rendition Of Hail. Columbia" on the
piano by Prot. Cardello was the opening number
on the program. This was followed by the reading
or, rather, recitation Of the Declaration OF In
dependence, for Mr.. b. C. Wright, who per-
formed that duty. was 20 familiar with the
most Of the celebrated document that he had
but little occasion to refer to the printed page
new force and the closing words were followed by
demonstrations of applause. Columbia, the
Gem Of the Ocean," was rendered ON the piano
and then tine orator OF the occasion, Mr. w. e
Rogers. was introduced by President Marbury
who expressed regret that the attendance ives
not larger. He thought that the announcement
OF the fact that the Declaration OF Independence
would be read and that an Grafton would be
delivered would be sufficient TO crowd the hall
with patriotic citizens. He Was sorry that this
hope was not realized. but he knew that those
who were present would be fully repaid.
Nh. RoaER's GRAFTON.
''The character of the audience and Of the day,
the time-honored memories that cluster around
your venerable association and its previous
celebrations" Mr.. Rogers said, ''entitle you to
receive on occasion like this words of Wis
dom from orator or statesman known through
out the land.
''You gather, gentlemen, at an appropriate
time. At this very hour from fortress and war
ship. wherever the starry banner is kissed by
the sunlight Of heaven, black-mouthed cannon
are pealing forth thunderous salute in honor
Of our country's birthday.
1T IL meet and proper that at such an hour
you, who justly claim to be the pioneers Of
progress at the stately capital of the proudest
republic on the earth, should meet in the
shadow of its matchless dome and in accord
ance with your venerable custom, revive the
patriotic memories Of the past take q hasty
glance at the present and indulge in . slight
forecast Of the future.
Possibly as you gather here indulRent
memory carries you back to childhood's Joyous
days and scenes, the Fourth Of Julys Of long
ago.
I'm those childhood DAYS Of which speak the
Declaration Of Independence carried no special
meaning to you. Today you appreciate is
fullest significance, and the magnificent her
itage it brought to mankind.
Truth is never new. A new truth was NOT
born in that momentous hour at independents
Hall, but il first found light and expression
there. 1t fired the hearts and nerved the strong
arms OF our fathers TO defy the mighty power
Of Britain, and after years Of suffering and
blood 1t gave rs place among the nations Of
the earth. France caught up the theme, hb-
erty and equality, and her sncient monarchy
and pampered aristocracy were drowned In their
own blood. From the chaos sprung the pam
turned half the thrones Of Europe; still the
truth IL marching resistlessly on, finding lodge
ment In the hearts Of peasant and noblsmsn,
slowly undermining the thrones of Europe and
the end 10 not yet
Looking ct our own fair land, what wonder.
ful progress We see. Fifty years backward e
within easy reach Of you gentlemen, and What
changes they show. Political couficts then
we're vindictive and heated ~ nov. Charres
Of corruption and dishonesty were lust ss ripe
against the public mon - nov, and, nay I sdd.
just - groundlesa.
''Of our proud city Of washiagtou ron an
best competent TO speak. An uniinished can't
eol, an abandoned foundation for the stately