Evening star., 1896-02-22
Customary Celebration by the Oldest
Inhabitants Association.
ZEAL OF THE VENERABLE MEMBERS
Reverent Reading Of Washington's
Farewell Address.
LOVE OF GoUN RY|

may be observed in this city, the Asso-
citation of the Oldest Inhabitants never
fails to celebrate the day in some appro-
pirate manner. Today, in accordance with
its custom, the association honored the
memory Of Washington, the details Of the
celebration being perhaps more elaborate
than usual. Arrangements We're made by
a committee, consisting of j. Madison
Cults, ]. A. Wineburger, A, H. Ragan.
Robert Ball, DR.. J. T. Howard and B. C.
Wright, for a public meeting at Metzerott
Hall. to begin al - O'Clock. A business
session WAS held at 1890 in the rooms Of
the association in the Corcoran building,
Mr.. John Marbury, jr, the president of
the association, presided, and near him
were seated the treasurer, Mr.. Robert Ball;
the marshal. Mr.. j. A. Wineberger and the
corresponding secretary, DIR. J. T. Howard
In the absence of Alr. Cults the recording
secretary, who was at the hall superintend-
ing the arrangements for the meeting, Mr.
A. II. RaSan was chosen to perform his
duties. The minutes of the last meeting
were approved without being read, IL being
stated that the report in The Star was
1ound to be so accurate that the secretary
adopted it as his minutes.
Among those present were T. S. Hern, B.
{. Wright, VIM. Boron, L. l.. Martin, J. u.
.iendey, T. H. Langley, d. A. Hall, A.
Schwartz, Noble d. Larner, Il. NJ. Clarke.
Joseph Prather, w. Bradley, ]. T. Boiseau,
J. r. Wright r. Eicho:n, p. NJ. Dubant J.
Humphrey, Andrew Jack son. w. C. John
son. Samuel e Mullen and J. S. Tomlinson
were elected to membership. and express
sions of coincidence were directed to be
sent to the families of Patrick O'Donoghue
and Norris Murphy. two members of the
association, recently deceased.
Raising the Flags.
Mr.. William Beren made his customary
announcement about the display of flags
or the public school buildings of the city,
and said that the national colors were not
hoiste1 today on the building Of the East
ern High School He took occasion to ex-
press his thanks to the association for the
present OF q sod-Eeaded cane on the occa-
SION OF the golden anniversary celebration
of his wedding
y vote of thanks TO Mr.. Metzerott for the
free Of his hall for today yas adoued
ard also the Secretary Of the Navy was
thanked for directing that the associa-
tion nave the services OF the Marine Band
for the public meeting
Attention Was called by Mr. Robert Ran
10 the fact that printed copies of patriotic
hymns had been furnished the associa ton
for use today by the Union League Club
-, ne noaiSea , tEat the second verse III the
hymn The Star SpangIed Banner had been
omitted, and new words substituted appar-
entity, he thought, to set in some reference
10 the last war. As the hymn which the 3s-
soclatlon intended to sing, Hail Columbia
had not been tampered WITH the charge
alluded to did not interfere with the Use
of the leaflets. But he thought that 1t
was wrong TO thus alter what regard
ed as one of the national hymns. Other
members agreed with what Mr.. Ball had
sad.
Some reference was made to the non-at-
tendance of members as well as the failure
on the part OF others to pay their dues, and
Mr. +. NJ. pubant offered a resolution in
structing the treasurer to notify dehnduent
members who have not attended the meet
ings for five years that their names would
be dropped from the rolls.
There was some discussion, but 1t was
finally concluded, as the hour was near
wnen the members must leave for the hall,
to defer further consideration of the matter
until the next meeting.
March 10 the Hail.
The members OF the association then
marched in a body to Metzerott Hall, - here
they arrived shortly before II o'clock-the
time announced for the public meeting to
begin. The front seats were reserved for
the members Of the association, and the
body of the hall, as We'll as tho galleries,
We're occupied by those to whom tickets
he'd been sent, the list including representa-
tives of patriotic organizations and ciIizens
generally. The seating arrangements were
in charge of Fremont Camp, Sons of Neter-
ans
Under the direction of the committee. the
hall was appropriately decorated, the walls
and the gallery being drapcd with the ma
tional colors. On the wall in the rear OF
the stage was q tasteful arrangement OF
American flags about representation OF
Liberty, and below the name of the associa-
ton. On the platform were seated the
officers of the association and number of
invited guests.
The Addresses Of the Day.
After a selection by the Marine Band,
Professor Fanciulli leader, President Mar
bury made an address of welcome, during
which he referred to the patriotic custom
Of the Oldest Inhabitants Association TO
observe the two. great national holidays,
namely, the Fourth Of July and Washing
tons birthday. He expressed gratifica-
ton at the general observance of the an
niversary of the father Of his country,
so noticeable this year in this city.
Prayer was offered by Rev. William II.
Milburn, the chaplain Of the Senate, and
then the corresponding secretary of the
association, Mr.. J. Madison Cults, read the
farewell address, prefacins the reading by
some appropriate and eloquent remarks, in
the course of which he said that in the
belief that this country is made happier,
riore powerful and more enduringly united
by common devotion to the memory Of
tho illustrious father of his country, the
members Of the association had invited
in honoring the fame and memory Of
Washington He said that the farewell
address. that immortal state paper, would
always be heard with attentive minds so
flag Of our country, "adored at home. hon
ored and respected abroad, on land and
water shall he not only for the three
Americas and adjacent islands of the sea,
but for all struggling peoples and lovers
of liberty blessing and an inspiration.
The words of the address were listened
to with marked attention by the audience,
and the patriotic utterances were applaud
ed.
Under the direction of Mr. Robert Ball,
Miss Florence Ball playing the piano ac-
compartment, the audience rose to their
feet and sang America.
Representative Blue Of Kansas was In
troduced and was received with applause.
His theme; 'Washington First in War"
and in the course Of an effective speech
he referred to the diminishing importance
of physical force in the settlement Of inter-
national disputes and the rising star of ar
bitration. But still war remained as last
resort, and 1t was sometimes a bless
ing in disguise. He referred to the
wars engaged in by this country and
briefly pointed out some Of the benefits
that followed.
The last war, he said, set aside a mis-
taken notion and established the great
truth that this country was an indissoluble