The Washington times., 1894-07-05

chairman general committee; w. ID. Quinter,
finance; s. w. Stinemetz. sports and games;
and refreshments; F. L. Campbell, speeches;
G. H. ZeIlers, fireworks; c. R. Wright, even
ing entertainment.
CONSTITUTIONAL LIBERTY.
Rev. DR.. Stafford's Address Before the
Oldest Inhabitants Association.
Rev. DR.. Stafford's address before the Old
est Inhabitants Association at Willard Hall
was the chief feature on the programme of
that honored organization in celebration Of
Independence Day. The popular young priest
of st. Patnck's church by his oratory held
the audience In rapt attention. and not a
word was lost upon his listeners from the be-
ginning to the end OF his discourse. Patriot
ism bristled in every sentence he uttered, and
well-rounded sentences, spoken at times with
dramatic force. fell pleasantly upon the ear
and awakened frequent outbursts OF applause.
His theme was Liberty as Given by the Con-
stitution."
Prior to the exercises at the hall the asso-
citation met in its rooms in the Corcoran
ness. 1t reelected its officers for the ensuing
year, Mr.. B. C. Wright. however, being
chosen vice president in: place OF George b.
French, deceased. New members were ad-
mitted and the finances reported on. Eulo-
Ries were passed upon members who died
during the year, and suggestions made that
the association get home of its own, where
members could drop in at any time and enjoy
themselves.
The members answering to the roIl-call
we're Andrew Barbour, E. II. Bates, W. Boron,
J. 7. Boiseau, W. Bradley, f. W. Brodenburg,
]. T. Chancey. P. NJ. Dubant. r Eichorn, ].
A. Fenning. 7. W. Fowler, g. l. Hall. s. W.
Handy, J. H. Jones. James Keleher, G. E.
Kennedy, F. S. Kern, T. H. Langley. N. D.
E. r. Mexican. J. W. Miller, Morris Murphy.
Allison Nailor, I. V. Noonan, s. F. D. Ourand,
Joseph Prather, james Pilling. A. 81. Ragan,
]. A. Iait. J. H. Thompson. I. B. Turner. ].
viehmeyer. J. B. Walling. W. H. Williams, J.
A. Wineberger. and B. c. Wright.
IN MEMORY OF THE DEAD.
President Marbury called attention to the
fact that during the year death removed from
the associations ranks W. H. Goode. George
E. B. French and William H. Nalley, and in
fitting terms he paid tribute to the memory of
the deceased. The chair also complimented
". Boron. one of the members, for his Jealous
work in having ''Old Glory" flung to the
breeze on all national occasions from all the
public buildings in the District.
Treasurer Ball reported that the treasury
had s34.27 to its credit. and that during the
quarter Just ended S13.60 had been expended.
John r. Major and John H. Hewlett were,
on motion, elected to membership.
John h. Thompson, an old friend OF the
late Capt. W. H. Nalley, paid an eloquent
tribute to the memory of the deceased, Presi-
dent Marbury also spoke of his pleasant as
sociations with the deceased.
Robert Ball remembered W. n. Goode, and
spoke of him as a modest and upright man.
DIR. J. T. Howard eulogized the memory of
Gen. E. B. French, and spoke of his chari-
table nature and OF his example as a citizen.
J. W. Fowler. who was a member OF the
Metropolitan Rifles in 1850, ofwhich company
Of Captain Naliey's kindness of heart.
Addresses were also made by W. Boron,
W. D. Larner, and Peter Duba Mt. At few
minutes of noon the meeting adjourned and
the members formed ranks and proceeded in
a body to the hall.
By misunderstanding, the Firemen's Vet
eran Association, which was expected to ap-
failed to come. A committee from that body
was present, however, at the hall.
EXERCISES AT WILLARD HALL.
The platform at Wil'a-d hall was occupied
by number of guests, among whom were
John Thompson, of the Veteran Firemens'
Association; Rev. J. D. Smith, of the G. A. R.;
Secretary J. NJ. Cuts, Rev. DR.. Stafford, j.
H. Thompson, r. Ball, ]. A. Wineberger, and
others.
President Marbury made a pleasant OPEN
ing address, in which he spoke of the loyalty
with which the ASSOCIATION had religiously
observed all the national holidays. Rev. ].
D. Smith followed with prayer. Robert Ball
sung with effect ''The Old Pump on the
Green" He was accompanied on the piano
by his daughter, Miss Florence Ball.
ID rio afod
memory the Declaration of Independence
with fervor that evoked loud applause.
President Narbury then introduced the
orator, the Rev. DIR. Stafford. W
Applause lasted for some time when Rev.
DIR. Stafford stood up to begin his address.
He bowed his acknowledgment of the salura-
tion given HIM.
His introductory was a discussion of the
reasons that led the forefathers to seek on its
broad expanse a place where liberty could be
enjoyed and to build a nation on the rights of
man, and not on the principles that other ma
ions were founded upon. In speaking OF the
greatness of this country, he said that its
foundation was laid when the nation was
founded on the principles of the equality of
man and the inaiienable right OF man to lib
erty.
THE SPIRIT OF KSowNoTHINGIsM.
He deprecated. in vigorous language, the
ottoiupI mduc III Ccrtdiu QudttcrS dt tnlS time
to array men against each other because of
differences in religion or motives against per-
sons of foreign birth. Ali such movements
he declared were antagonistic to the spirit OF
the Constitution and subversive OF the princi-
pie Of human liberty. He hoped, nay. he felt
sure, that Americans would sternly set their
faces against such Dissertation of the spirit OF
their institutions.
'.Such a movement said DR.. Stafford,
Ak..~. -
lie, 1t comes behind it. as it were, and stabs
it in the back. ii has not the courage TO face
the sunshine nor stand before the light of
day. We are free because we are men. 1t
was decreed that we are to be free. The
class legislation and the class discrimination
that may be brought against any American
citizen because OF his religion is against all
American principles"
HE said that .'all the dark-lanrern societies
founded to oppose the rights OF u class OF
citizens who had come here from Europe
were against the principles of the Constitu-
tion.
ssThe glory Of Greece, he exclaimed, twas
art; the glory Of Rome was war; the glory OF
E2FoRs xae fhe et1fes buf ne Rloxy of Assefisa
! "a EIesy 6 6 80 f !. = 19s'is.al|
When ihe orator hnished his address great
applause greesed him, and this was followed
BY rising vote Of thxnkA