Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-01-24
ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
Masonic Veteran Association Gave q Ban
quet Last Night
Speeches by Prominent Takers ON
Interesting TOpics-COngressme
Among the Guests.

The Masonic Veteran Association cele-
brated its seventeenth anniversary last
evening at the National Hotel. There were
in attendance many citizens of Washing
ton, all well known to the community at
large, and all of whom are members Of
the Masonic order. At a short business
meeting several new members were admit
ted to the Veteran Association, a requisite
for membership being twenty-one years
service In the order. The next feature OF
the evening was march to the dining
room. which was artistically decorated
with cut flowers, palms and flags. Presi-
dent Clement W. Bennett occupied the
head of the table and near him were Vice
President Robert Ball. Noble D. Larner,
David G.. Dixon. F. L. Campbell, John II.
Hopkins, c. l.. Mansur, +. E. Meredith, s.
s. Burdette, Frank A. Reed and T. X.
Stockdale.
sic was furnished by the Temple Quartet
of Masons, comprising Alexander Mosher.
Perry b. Turpin, j. Henry Kaiser. and
Charles w. Hancock. with w. +. Middle
nett began the speechmaking of the even
ing with short address. in which he gave
a history of the association, citing IS
proof Of its success the long list of dis
tinguished names upon the membership
rolls. When President Bennett had con-
cluded. Vice President Ball offered a toast
to the Grand Lodge of the District, to
which Grand Master Dixon responded. say
ing that he felt at home because he knew
he was with his friends. The venerable
Grand Lodge, he continued, is over eighty
years of age. having been organized IN
1911. and has attained membership OF
5000, including men who grace every walk
in civil life.
The next toast proposed was to the Grand
Royal Arch Chapter of the District. to
which Grand High Priest Campbell re-
lad NJ No nI,o1 nf a
of Masonry, supplemerting his remarks
with many amusing anecdotes. AS an ex-
ample of purity, uprightness and true Ma
sonry, the health of President Bennett was
then drunk at Mr.. Campbell's suggestion
After another musical number, Vice Pres
ident Ball moved that ladies be invited to
attend the future social festivities Of the
association. 1t was also voted to hold
shad bake at Marshall Hall during the lat
ter part of next April, which was carried
without dissent.
Other Speakers.
Mr.. Noble D. Larner, president OF the
Washington Masonic Veterans Association.
was the next speaker, and he maintained
that both associations are In unison with
each other. Mr.. Larner was followed by
past eminent grand commander of the Unit
ed States James III. Hopkins, who express
ed the hope that those present at the ban
ouet might grow old in honesty, sincerity
Warden F. A. Reed Of Virginia stated at
the opening of brief address that the
first grand master Of the lodge had been
Gen. George Washington. According to Mr..
Re 3D. when Washington took charge of the
continental army under the old elm at
Cambridge, the members of his official
family were nearly ell Masons. Mr.. Reed
also referred to the new Masonic home
just below Richmond, which is almost COM
pleted.
CONGREGATIONAL SDeakers.
The next toast was in honor Of Represen-
tative f. E. Meredith In his response, Mr.
Meredith stated his belief that citizens of
the District pay more than their just proper
ton of taxes, and that 1t is the duty Of local
residents to look after the interests of the
capital city. Mr.. Meredith proposed silent
toast to Vice President Stevenson, and then
declared that Masonry had always stood up
for Christian brotherhood and the rights
of man. Mr.. Stockdale of Mississippi, who
was next called on, characterized Masonry
as a grand institution, where business,
politics and dissension are never admitted
Greetings from California were extended
by Mr.. Albert r. Perkins, who said he re-
GREETED that Senator Perkins was unable
to be present. Mr.. Mansur expressed his
satisfaction in being member of the vet
Grams Association. and also referred to the
g1cries of Masonry in colonial days. Mr..
Simon Wolf recited some Of his experiences
with the craft in Egypt, after which Gen.
Hurdette, the last speaker of the evening,
declared that Masonry was a good thing
for mankind. According to the custom OF
he association the enjoyable occasion closed
with the singing of "Auld Lang Syne. Be
sides the persons mentioned in the forego-
ing those in attendance were:
Those Present.
James Lansburgh, W. Hamilton Smith,
DIR. William Pittes. ]. H. Weldon. Calvin
Wilmer, Isaac P. Noyes, George Y. At
Lee, DIR. c. T. Caldwell, e. NJ. Coen. Frank
A. Butte, Lemuel Adams, Thomas Adams,
Job w. Angus, A. A. Aspinwall. DR.. Chas.
A. Ball. George W. Balloch, Joseph Barton,
NJ. w. Bayliss, H. l.. Biscoe. A. l.. Bliss.
VIM. B. Brown, John Morrison, w. H..
Myers Thomas Somerville, VIM. Wether-
ELL W. Fl. WetZell, E. NJ. Willis, William
oscar Roome j. H. Schultz, DR.. A. B..
Shekell, c. w. Spofford, Leonard Sponord,
William A. Upton, Albert II. Van Deusen,
William l.. Van Derlip, James II. Trimble,
Rev. c. B. Smith, James 7. Greaves, VIM.
Gibson, Joseph Gawler. George H. Gaddis,
Adam Gaddis, Henry Franc, Anton Eber-
Nv. o. s. F'irman, Thomas Bowling, r. l..
De Puy, W. Nj. Davis, William p. Davis,
j. D. Cumming, Robert F. Crowell, VIM.
Helmus, James NJ. Hodges, Alexander H.
Holt, Dr. A. E. Johnson, George w. King.
Fred. S. Newman. George T. Bassett. L. T.
Ellis, John Cameron, d. d. Barnes, Don G..
Adams, r. w. Darby, William B. Easton,
W. r. Layton. A. B. Russ, F. A. Sebling,
BENJAMIN F. Hawkes.. Aaron Baldwin,
Daniel Fraser, Cyrus G. Kean, J.. E. Hum
phrey of Purcell, I. T.; Lieut. w. A. Platt,
u. s. N; George Grim, Lewis Goldsmith,
James H. Bynum, George N. Glover, w. H.
H. Harrison and B. E. l.. Tremaine.