The Washington times., 1894-07-05
PATRIOTISM ~ TIE WOODS
Novel Celebration by the Y. N. c. A.
Literary Society.
III
VISITED WASHINGTON GROVE
Flags and Evergreen Added Beauty to the
Grounds--0ratory Flowed for Two Hours
Songs by Fine Choir-Declaratio Of In
dependence Read-Enthusiasm Rampant

That progressive and modern idea organi-
cation, the Y. NJ. C. A.vflterrrs Society Of
Washington. chose a new ana novel form of
celebrating Independence Day yesterday by
holding pstrlotic exercises In the woods Ct
washington Grove camp meeting grounds.
The society and Christian association were
largely represented. and quite number of
visitors from the surrounding country were
present
Inc grounds were beautifully decorated
with iiags and immense lunches of ever
green which the ladies of the grove had
plueked from the trees for the efsHqp Prof.
Percy s. Foster. who so ably lead the big
Moody and sankey choir, conducted the
music yesterday. and was assisted by a large
chorus OF ladies and gentlemen who reside in
the grove.
The exercises began at O'Clock in the
afternoon. and for nearly two hours there
was How OF orato-y which has seldom been
ecraied in the District.
After the chorus and audience sang ..Tbe
Star Spangled Banner.' General Secretary
James E. Pugh delivered the invocation and
Fred E. Tasper. chairman OF the ceIebratiop
made the Introductory remarks. He ex-
tended everybody a hearty weleoue1cn be-
nalf OF the literary society, and said this was
the day when all people of all opinions could
meet on common ground aud engage in a
common celebration. He quoted frofnla re-
mark OF John Adams in which that states
man speaks OF the necessity of keeping the
Fourth OF July as a holiday and how many
patriotic lessons might be taught and ceIe-
brations held. ms
GREATNESS OF THE REPUBLIC.
Mr.. Tasker then spoke OF the flag and
alluded to the manner in which the hall had
been draped with the national banner. ''rhe
flag is symbol OF the glory and greatness of
the republic, he said, land should be con-
spicuously displayed on every school house
and public building in the country. 1 think
the celebration of Flag Day as NATIONAL holi-
day is step in the right direction. If the
time should ever come when this American
flag is insulted Or trampled under foot there
will be found thousands in this land to defend
the national banner l-a-9
Mr.. Tasker also referred to the value of the
Declaration of Independence and cf0Sed by
quoting remark of Charles Sumner to the
effect that in many respects sthe Declaration
is a more important dooament than the con-
stitution. -lis1
W. V. Watson then read the Destination OF
Independence in a clear, distinct tone, and at
the conclusion the chorus sang Columbia
The first Grafton of the day was delivered
by Mr. George Baber. Ills sub.e,t was 1.-The
Glory of the Republic Mr. Baber was intro
duced as ''the gentleman from Kentucky,
the land of Henry Clay. from which he might
be sent as representative OF the people of
that state in Congress-
He said the glory of the republic consists
chiefly in its power to make men by moral in
fuence rather than its power to accomplish
great deeds in the mercantile world. Speak
ing as southern man. he deprecated any
utterances that might reflect on the good
name of the South. Thisisra united country,
government. This country should go forward
united TO the aecomplishfnsnt of its destiny,
and whenever there was any attempt to divide
its energies it would result in failure
Progress of America was the subject of
the next oration, and Mr.. George W. Drew the
orator. Mr.. Drew spoke with is great DEAL of
force and directness, and contended that
America had made mucn greater progress
than any other nation in5. many lines, blt
more particularly in Inventions and n;.nneda
number Of great inventors who had been
prominent men In this country during the
last century. BY their work they had done
more for the benefit of the world than almost
any other body of men. lE
AMERICA TO LEAD THE WORLD. ~
Americas progress in commerce and the
development of agricultural and manufacture
ing industries was phenomenal, and ne pre-
dicted that il few years she would lead the
world in every class OF industry.
Miss Daisy B. Harrison recited "The Polish
Boy" and in response to an encore rendered
1.-The Yellow Rose
Then Mr.. Edward W. DeKnight, president
OF the literary society, spoke of ~The Prob
lens of the Present" Khe ocieally speaking
Mr.. Deknight was finished production &ad
was well received. The manner in whieAile
discussed the problems OF the preseahwas
very effective. The great contest between
labor and capital has to be worked out by this
generation he said. Reference was made
to the railroad strikes and industrial upris-
ings as examples of present problems which
required careful and thorough consideration
by the people OF this day and generation.
Mr.. L. Cabell Williamson, president of the
Y. NJ. q. A.. delivered the last oration, his
subject being Historical Results" He
spoke ofthe many things which had been ac-
complished during the 11S years since the
Declaration of Independence had been signed.
He referred to the influence for good which
ii 9 public schools exert and said they would
continue their influence asiong as the present
form Of government exists. In conclusion,
Mr.. Williamson said we should hand down
to pcsterity the government and example
which we received from our forefathers and
as long as such government existed rhe
country would be safe. As7-''
Then Mr.. Guy V. Collins concluded the ex-
ercises by recitlng "Greels's Ride ''ihom ~
o--