Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-02-27
HAD PATRIOTIC slREs
Sons Of the American Revolution Hold Their
Animal Banquet.
Patriotic and Witty Speeches by Many
Distinguished Men-Those Who
Participated I'm the Festivities.

The memory Of the men who, by their
services or sacrifices during the war of the
American revolution. achieved the inde-
pendence of the American people, was hon
ored last evening at the Ebbitt House by
the members Of the District of Columbia
Society Of the Sons Of the American Rev
olution. who gathered there for their an
nual banquet.
1t was truly a distinguished party that
assembled in the red parlor of the hostelry
shortly after 8 o'clock, comprising we'll
known statesmen, lawyers, warriors and
cfvilians-men who have organized to pro-
mote fellowship among the descendants of
the heroes of the revolutiun; to inspire
the descendants and the community at
large with u more profound reverence for
the principles of the government founded
by their forefathers; to encourage histori-
cal research in relation to the American
revolution. and to foster true patriotism
generally. AS the members arrived they
scattered about the room in groups, and
for an hour exchanged stories Of the do
ings of their grandfathers.
Finally, the president of the society, DIR.
g. Brown Goode, led the way to the din
Ing room, which was appropriately deco
rated for the occasion. Large American
flags hid from view the greater portion of
the walls: from the chandeliers were sus-
pended silk flags, and at one point was
placed the handsome stand of colors OF
the society. A portrait Of George Wash
ington was displayed, as were photographs
and photographs of autograph letters OF
Francis Scott Key, Benjamin Franklin and
banked about the room in profusiOn.
After prayer by Chaplain Thomas S.
Childs, the members and guests took seats
at a table In the shape of a horseshoe,
tod with flowers and for
hour or more diligently discussed an eX-
cellent menu. At the head of the table,
on the right Of President Goode. were seat
ed Gen. j. c. Breckenridge. Mr.. John B.
Wight and Justice Brewer, and on the left
were John Douglass, Judge John Goode
and Gen. T. N. Vincent.
Prof. Goodies Welcome.
When the inner man had expressed his
over the good things, Presi-
dent Goode raped for order. and ad-
dressed the gathering, 1 look upon
this assemblage," said DR.. Goode, IT am
reminded of a saying of that good old
English divine and poet, George Herbert,
Keep good company and you shall be Of
the number and where was good COM
pany to be found If not on an occasion like
this" DR.. Goode spoke of the American
character in the men before him, and said
that he should like to see it made q part of
the education Of every student in the high
schools, colleges and universities to be-
come attached to some such society as the
Sons of the American Revolution. He
added that he cannot imagine anything
which would be more inspiring. more in
or which would be more certain
to develop in the student the capacity for
good citizenship.
The speaker dwelt on the history of the
society during Its existence of five years
and the wonderful things in the way Of
organization accomplished. He also de-
n yxyh y,arry1i Y,nC fha Off -
patriotic societies are to be exerted in the
future. DR.. Goode quoted Noah Webster
to show the superiority Of the American
educational plan, and he was interrupted
by applause when he stated that in the
public libraries Of America there are twice
as many printed volumes as all the rest in
the world. In closing DR.. Goode sa;d,
quoting Mr.. Depew:
which has become a great nation, have
ever preserved and enlarged their liberty,
unless they had largely developed the
qualities of imagination and sentiment.
and craftsmanship they owe their origin:
they must picture in the eye of the mind
the battlefields upon which their fore
fathers fought and conquered. This re-
proportion as its people have revered the
men of the revolution and practiced the
principles Of the Declaration of Independ-
ence and of Washington's farewell ad-
Dress
When the applause which followed the
address had subsidized the presiding officer
announced Mr.. John B. Wight as toast
master. Mr.. Wight explained that the short
time available to arrange for the banquet
prevented larger attendance, and then
he called upon Justice Brewer for a speech.
The latter responded in a laugh-producinp
vein.
Justice Brewers Speech.
II am reluctant to make speech at this
hour Of the night" began Justice Brewer.
"for If we followed the example of our
forefathers we would have been in bed
long before this hour" Justice Brewer
then remarked that silver is the burning
question Of the day, and added that per-
haps some of his hearers may have read
in the papers that discussion on the topic
is being held. The speaker doubted that
George Washington was a gold bug or a
silver man, but added that 1t Is an estab-
lished tradition that Washington threw a
silver dollar across the Potomac. He also
threw a sovereign across theAtlantic, con
tinued Justice Brewer. Evidently George
thought that sovereigns should not circulate
in this country. Since that time gold has
been steadily going out. There is growing
something that is to abide here as a feeling
of loyalty to the nation" the speaker went
on to say. Surely it is worthy of the eff
fort of every American citizen to keep
warm and strong the love of country-one
west but one United States" .
Gen. Breckenridge was next called upon,
and he remarked that the society Is the
representation of thrill Of patriotism that
is sweeping through the country. He spoke
of Gen. Putnam as a sturdy, resolute, in
domitable patriot; a man whose blood flow
ed triumphantly through his system and
who caused all men to say-"Here is an
American" Gen. Breckenridge declared that
the society needs to exist to awaken pa
triotism, there having been. in his opinion,
no time when the acts of the forefathers
have been sufficiently set forth.
Zone cannot recall the American revolu-
ton without thinking of what Virginia
did," said POSTMASTER Wight, nor can we
remember any meeting of the society with
out seeing the genial face Of John Goode."
He then called upon Judge Goode.
Judge Goodies Remarks.
Judge Goode made a glowing, eloquent
speech, in which he lauded without stint
the state of Virginia. her acts and her
sons. He began by stating that Virginia
has always been distinguished for love
of liberty and sturdy independence. The
lawyer then reviewed in an unusually in
teresting manner the colonial history Of
Virginia. ut is no vain boast of ours"
declared Judge Goode, that this great ma
ton was in great part the creation Of the
hands of Virginia. Look at her great men