Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1896-02-24

The PARADE ON THE TwENTY-SsC.
oHp The celebration of Wnshingtou's
birthday on Saturday, as was stated at
the time, was decided success in every
particular, and the entire programme
was carried out most satisfactorily.
The Junior Order of American Me
cbanics, which composed the bulk of
the parade, made fine showing and
were much mpIimented at the hand
some manper in which they carried out
,ae details of the celebration. At the
conclusion of the parade and the lunch
and exercises at the Opera House the
councils from Washington which had
participated in the celebration, headed
by the John B. Henderson Drum Corps
of that city, proceeded down King
street and when they arrived in froat of
ex.Msyor Strauss's residence they halt
ed and the drum corps discoursed some
fine music. The ex-Mayor was not at
home and made no response. They
subsequently, marched down Fairfax
street to the home of Mayor Thomp.
son, where they honored him with
serenade. The Mayor soon made his
appearance aud after the music had
ceased he delivered a short address to
the assemblage. He said, among other
things, that one of the first and most
pleasing recollections of his childhood
DAYS was when he was led by the hand
OF a good. natured colered woman sup
the street" to use her parlance, to see
the celebration of Washington's BIRTH
dav. and the spectacle to-day had re-
produced those happy "reminiscences in
his mind. America, he was proud to
say, had sons in the present genera.
ton who were determined that ia fu-
ture the occasion should not pass un-
observed as had been the case too often
in the past. He was glad to see such
spirit manifested, and said no citizen of
the un'ry, especially Virgil ian, and
more especially an Alexandrlan, should
ever become so thoughtlsss as
to allow such an occasion TO
pass without some mark Of respect.
de alluded to the fact that Alexandria
was Washington's citS, that lie came
here several times week, that he
knew our people and the streets, was
ideutiied with our interests, had built
us school, helped mau our fire engines
in emergencies, oonversed with our
forefathers in the market square and
worshiped in old Christ Church, where
the great nation to which We are
proud to belong was conceived. The
Mavor further said that it was TO be
regretted that be had seen more than
one twenty second of February pass
unnoticed in this very city. He did
not believe it would be the case again,
certainly not as long as the spirit which
animates the Junior Order of Mechanics
is rife, as their order, with patriotism
rs the corner stone, will be true to its
mission in perpetuating the many
memories all Americans hold sacred.
la slludiug TO the bad blood between
the two great sections of the country
which produced the late war and
which made one unpopular in some
sections TO wear an American flag on
the lapel of the coat, he said he
thanked God that the radicalism of
both sides had passed away as dismal
thunder cloud and that we were again
one united country and proud of our
national cmblems. Phe Mayor closed
by thanking all present for the courtesy
extended him, and after the applause
which followed had ceased the drum
corps discoursed enlivening music. The
assembly later formed in line and each
member in departing shook the Mayors
hand.
Alexandria Council held called
meeting at night and illustrated the
work of the order. Several mem ers
made spcechesduriug the evening.