The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-02-19

appropriate ballet" and at the Column
bian museum was to be seen q life-size
figure of our first president in the Temple
Of Fame with the Goddess Of Liberty de-
scending to place chaplet upon his brow.
Around him beautiful female figures per-
sonitied Liberty, Justice, Peace and
Plenty.
In New York equal or greater powers Of
invention were displayed in less perma-
nent form; for there beside the usual feat
ures, banquet was served at the Tontine
tavern on Broadway, for which the center
columns 1.-THE number OF the states) with q
bus, of Washington in the center. Flora
crowned the bust with wreath bearing
the words: ''Who is more worthy of it
than he ?'' while Fame, holding trumpet
in one hand, with the other extended the
answering wreath Of laurel: HE lives
and will be immortal"
ceased the more elaborate and general fes-
tivities. although the day has always
furnished Il favorite opportunity for pubic
and patriotic observance.
Immediately upon the announcement of
the death of Washington congress passed
q resolution advising that the coming
birthday of 1900 be everywhere the occa-
sion OF memorial gatherings, and that
suitable sermons should be preached. For
many years press and pulpit alike were
wont to mark the day. A specimen of the
elegiac verse of that time is taken from a
long poem in the Washington Fsderaiist
for 1902:
slowly strike the solemn sound;
D.op the pearls OF sorrow round:
Let the STAB. of woe be felt;
Let the heart of iron melt:
Maldens, pour the plaintive verse;
Soldiers, now your arms reverse;
Patriots. mourn the patriot dead;
Sigh, the globe, tor virtues fed!
On the centenary Of Washington's birth
In 1882 congress proposed to remove his
body to the crypt prepared for it under the
dome of the capitol, but John A. Wash
ington, then the owner of Mount Vernon,
refused to allow il to be done. and the gov
eminent was obliged to content itself with
the purchase of the portraits by Peale and
Vanderlyn, and the commission for the
well-known statue of Greenoueh, intended
for the rotunda. This was also the occa-
sion for the fortunate selection of the
design for the Washington monument.
Divine service was held in the capitol.
there was a dinner at the famous Browns
hotel, where Daniel Webster spoke for an
hour, ball 'sor the gentry" at Carusi's
saloon. and another for mechanics and
tradesmen" at the Masonic temple.
Notwithstanding all the attention paid
the 22d of February, it is not the holiday
of the nation. but the festival of the states.
In 1915. urged on by Mrs. Harrison Gray
Otis, Massachusetts, led the way in making
it legal holiday throughout her borders
by legislative enactment. and since that
time ell the states of the Union except six
have followed this example, the District of
Columbia being included by congress as
late as 1850. With an obvious propriety
this day is marked all over the world by
our legations, and often by foreign govern
ments. Thus in 1882 the United States of
Colombia took notice of the 15Oth anniver-
sary of Washington's birth in words which
may fifty close this account of the sponta-
neous honors paid our great hero. After
testifying to its "reverent respect and pro-
found admiration" the resolution recon-
mends to Colombians the singular exam.
pie of eminent virtues which characterizes
in history the prominent figure Of the
founder of the first of the republics of the
new continent" ANNA L. DAWES.