Evening star., 1896-02-13
.LINCOLN'S BIRTHDAY
It is Enthusiastically Observed by
Lafayette Post.
LOYAL LEGION BANQUET LAST EVENING
Other Demonstrations in Honor. of
Father Abraham.
PROP 20 SED OLD A Y

The celebration Of Lincoln's birthday. un-
der the auspices of Lafayette Post, No. 20.
g. A. R., drew a large concourse Of pa
triotic citizens to Masonic Temple last
night. Mr.. NJ. A. Dillon presided, and in
trcducod the numerous speakers of the
evening. The stage was beautifully deco
rated with the national colors, and a large
portrait of Lincoln was surrounded with
the flag. Soldiers Home Band played the
assembly call as overture, and DR.. Thomas
Calver then read an original poem of more
than ordinary dignity and force, the last
two stanzas of which are these:
''The greatest heights to dangers great expose,
And evils arrow loves shining mark;
The name revered and blest Of friends and foes
Nor reck they what dismay their spleen may bring,
They care not, their weapon strikes the king,
How great the fall, If but the fall be great.
Immortal Lincoln! For his strength above
=, The kings Of earth be his the nations praise;
His sweet humanity and simple waysj
AND though that strength of soul and nerve and
nation saved and calmed n nations Gears,
In his kind heart and tender eyes find
Tho charm that yet brings forth nations
tears"
Representative Brosus delivered an ora
ton on Lincoln, abounding in eloquent de-
lineations of his character and career
Horace L. Piper, ex-superintendent of the
life saving service spoke Of Lincoln as the
savior of the country in comparison with
Washington, its founder. Lieut.. Lucien
Young, in a brief address, urged that Lin
coins birthday should be made q national
holiday. Representatives Hicks OF Pennsyl-
vania, Cummings Of New York, Northway
of Ohio and Baker of New Hampshire also
delivered brief patriotic addresses. Reel
tations were given by John Tweedale, Miss
Brennan and Rufus Fuller. Miss Lillian
HALEY and Miss Flossie Welch each sang
solo during the evening. which was re-
ceived with prolonged demonstrations of
pleasure. The whole program was carried
out with complete success, and when, at
a late hour, the audience was dismissed
every one present was aglow with patriotic
appreciation Of the great war President.
The following committee had charge of
the affair: Reception committee, DR.. Law
| Erastus H. Taylor. c. F. Benjamin, Ros-
we'll A. Fish, c. H. Lawrence S. F. Ham
| 1lton, James A. Smith, Ed F. Austin, Hugh
W Burns. ]. j. Carroll, ]. Madison Cults,
| Rosecrans, j. G. Brideham, Perry Ellis
printing committee, NJ. V. Hotel, D. w.
Peters, w. c. Butler; invitation commit
tee, Samuel r. Strattan, 1. d. Bumpus,
DR.. Lawrence Wilson; decoration commit
| tee, Edwin j. Sweet, William A Orr J. NJ.
| Bracket; music committee, w. W. Cham
| bers, o. V. Mitchell, John F. Bailey.
| The Loyal Legion Banquet.
The annual dinner of the District COM
mandery of the Loyal Legion was held last
! evening in the banquet hall of the Arling-
| ton. Coming, as it did, on the anniversary
| OF the birth Of President Lincoln, the cele-
| bratlon was more than ever a patriotic af-
fair. The hall was beautifully decorated
with plants and flowers, and the stars anG
| stripes were very much in evidence
| Seated at the head table was Gen. Albert
| Ordway, president of the commandery, and
| on either side of him were Gen. Nelson A
| Miles, commanding the United States army
and Gen. Horace Porter of New York
Other special guests were ex-senator c. F
| Manderson, Senator w. B. Allison, ex-Cov
1 Alexander K. Shepherd, the Swiss minister
| the Venezuelan minister and the Hawaiian
minister.
The banquet was an elaborate affair, and
the evening closed in blaze Of eloquence
| There were but three set toasts-"Oul
| country THE memory of Abraham Lin
coin and Our deceased companions" The
| first two were responded to by Gen. Adam
King of Baltimore, the president of the
Maryland eommandery, and Gen. Horace
| Porter. president Of the New York com
and in silence. Other speeches were made
| by Gen. Miles, eX-Gov. Shepherd, Gen. Haw
ley, E. 3. Hay, Gen. O. H. Platt Gov. Hull
| Assistant Secretary Reynolds and Judg'
McComas.
The Virginia Republican Association
Lincolns birthday was celebrated las
night by grand banquet under the au
spices of the Virginia Republican Associa
ton. The meeting was the largest eve
| held in this city of Virginia voters. TIL,
speakers for the occasion were John NJ
Langston and F. D. Lee. Mr.. Langstol
paid fine tribute Ito Mr.. Lincoln, ant
closed his speech by presenting Speake
| Thos. B. Reed as the man sent from Coz
to lead the American people in peace, a
Lincoln had led them in war. Mr.. Lee
spoke upon the needs of the south, an,
| said that Mr.. Reed would fill the bill
Short speeches were made by ]. H. Harri
son, president of the Virginia Republican
| Association; w. H Nelson and Mr. Dish
mon.
A resolution was adopted requesting Mr.
| John NJ. Langston to be a candidate TO
| delegate-at-large from the state of Virgini;
to the national republican convention. Tn
meeting also indorsed the candidacy OF J
H. Harrison as delegate for the eighth Vir
ginia district, and pledged him Its support
Music was furnished by a fine orchestra.