Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-06-08
A HUNDRED YEARS.
Citizens Preparing to Celebrate the
CapitoPs Centennial.
SEP TENDERS BIG EVENT,
Speeches Made at the Mass Meeting Last
Night - Gov. Shepherds Name Calls Out
Applause-A Committee Of Fifty to Be Ap-
pointed-A General Celebration Proposed.

the District Commissioners many of the citi-
zens Of the District gathered in Willard Hall TO
discuss and arrange for proper celebration on
the 18th Of September next Of the one hun
dredth anniversary Of the laying of the corner
stone OF the national Capitol Much enthusi-
asm was manifested. and the meeting resulted
IN prompt, business-like arrangement. which
insures the success of the coming celebration.
Mr.. Ross explained that they had been called
together to arrange for proper celebration on
the 18th Of September next of the one hun
dredtn Anniversary Of the laying of the corner
as washington only could design and success
fully carry out
The celebration. said Mr.. Ross had first been
proposed by the East Washington Citizens As
ISOLATION. composed Of progressive and public
spirited men. To that association WAS due the
honor, but thew had proposed since that the
event celebrated was ono in the nations history.
That the whole District and. if possible, the
whole country should take part in the celebra-
ton Such celebrations should be encouraged,
Tor they tended to obliterate sectional lines,
arouse patriotism and taught the youth of the
land much that was good.
But the celebration. said Mr.. Ross. should not
be undertaken unless ii was determined to make
1t n veritable Washington success. Washington
mad never failed upon such occasions, and It's
past successes-the G.. A. II. encampment, the
knights Templar conclaEe and the inaugural
ceremonies-had been such magnificent affairs
that the coming one must needs be. Not alone
should il be Washington celebration, but
other cities and the states might very properly
be invited TO participate. But, il the celebra-
ton should be decided upon, then every one
here should assist in making it the grandest
success possible, and to that end he stated that
the District Commissioners would gladly and
promptly do all they could at any time.
COMMISSIONERS PARxER's ADDRESS.
Upon the motion Of Prof Harry King Mr. NJ.
l. Weller was unanimously elected as secretary
OF the meeting and then, in response to loud
calls, Commissioner Myron III. Parker briefly
addressed the meeting.
There was nothing. he stated, left for him to
saw. FOR Mr. Ross had fully covered the matter.
ard he most heartily Endorsed all that he had
said The celebration should be made such a
success a that it could be pointed to in coming
wears as one Of the grandest in the history Of
the District. Funds were never lacking here
uuon such occasions although the citizens OF
no other CITY were called upon often to con-
tribute. He felt confident OF the great success
of the celebration. and both an official and as
citizen be would do all he could to make it
all IL should be-
BISHOP KEANE's ADDRESS.
President Ross then introduced Bishop J. J.
Eeane. president Of the Catholic University
and the bishop made q very eloquent address,
BE said he felt il his duty 10 show by his pres
ence his great interest in the proposed celebra-
ton. Il was a glorious event to celebrate. and
should be as gloriously celebrated The GEN.
tennary celebration Of tAe Declaration of indie
pendence and Of the formation CT the Cons
ton had been two great occasions, but the
celebration next September should be no less
an importlnt one. The one hundredth
anniversary Of the laying Of the corner
stone of the Capitol was really the
one hundredth anniversary Of the
formation Of the great American Congress, for
until God in His wise providence led the i'm
mortal Washington to choose this District for
a IL r.
gress had no fixed dwelling place. No better
place could have been selected fog now. after a
long and bitter struggle. Washington city was
the golden seat, the marriage ring which bound
the north and south together for better and
for worse for all time. Providence had
placed the seat Of government here and
Providence never meant that 1t should be re-
moved. despite the many and persistent efforts
TO remove it. Providence had prevented such
removal. and in preventing it had made use of
man who had been most harshly judged, most
urjustlv condemned. and yet whose courage,
determination and foresightedness did more to
retain here the seat Of government than any
man now dead alive, and he hoped that he
might vet live to see Washington raise a monu-
ment to BOSS" Shepherd.
That the hope Of the clergyman was also that
of every man present was evident from the en-
thusiastic applause which instantly followed
his allusion to ex-Gov. Shepherd. II feard."
continued Bishop Keane, ''that my remark
would provoke as many Kisses as cheers. and
am all the more gratified to know that my fear
was groundless- We have the best people, the
greatest country and the best legislative body
in our national Congress-known to man. and
the coming celebration should emphasize that
Whatever can do / will do with all my heart
to aid L."
OTHER ADDRESSES
Ex-Assistan. Secretary Of the Interior Bus
sew also briefly addressed the meeting, saying
that he was much interested in the proposed
celebration and would willingly do whatever he
could to make it the great success il deserved
to be- IL seemed TO him that the event would
be n tribute to the generosity Of the American
people In perretCIting here on the banks OF
the Potomac such a magnificent Capitol, one
which was justly the admiration of the whole
world. Tina. the people OF the District could
make the celebration fitting one in every re-
spect there could be not the slightest doubt.
In doing that they could count upon his hearty
cooperation.
Nr. J. W. Babson. the president OF the East
Washington Citizens Association. said he hoped
that the celebration would be made a national
holiday, and, indeed national in every respect,
rs /: seemed to him II should be. Tho growth
of the Capitol building illustrated the wonderful
growth of the country. and therefore it was
much more than local affair
COMMITTEE OF FIFTY.
Mr.. John Joy Edson said he could be counted
upon TO do whatever was in his power to make
tho celebration all il deserved to be-
After resolution offered by Mr.. Beriah Will
kins declaring that it was the sense of the
meeting that the event should be duly cele-
DRAFTED had been unanimously adopted Mr.
Edson moved that a committee OF fifty be ap-
pointed by the chairman of the meeting 10
make the necessary arrangements. which mo-
ton was adopted, and Chairman Ross stated
that the committee would be announced by
him through the press at the earliest practi-
cable moment
On the motion of Mr.. F. A. Lehman the
chairman Of the meeting Commissioner Ross,
was made the chairman of the committee.
Secretary Weller then read a telegram from
Vice President Stevenson, in which Mr. Ste
yeuson assured the meeting Of his hearty ap-
proval Of the purpose of the meeting.
Mr. Simon wclf on behalf of the German
American citizens Of the District, pledged their
hearty support. stating that the Germans be-
Eeyed in celebrations of all kinds rs being of great
benefit to the peopie. He believed that the
President could be induced to make proclama-
ton recommending that the celebration be
made a national one.
Librarian A. r. Spoford thought it best to
leave to the committee OF fifty ali the arrange
u,ents necessary. but said that in inviting the
neople TO be present and take part the gov
ernors Of Virginia and Maryland be not over
looked. But for the gift of 1900 900 in the
-. - rra,,aot nead the huiIdinC might Ia ve