Evening star., 1896-07-15
PEACE OAK PLANTED
Thousands of Christian Endeavorers Went to
Mt. Vernon Yesterday.
Mr.. Meacham's OratiOn-The History
of the Idea Read by Chair
man Smith.

Several thousand Endeavorers made the
pilgrimage to Mount Vernon yesterday and
enjoyed a most delightful trip down the Po-
tomac to the tomb Of Gen. Washington.
The principal feature of the day was the
planting Of a peace oak to commemorate
the great convention, and as pledge "f the
devotion Of the society to peaceful methods
DR.. Clark and the other officers Of the
United Society went down on the o clock
boat, and, after visit to the tomb the
party made its way to a spot about a hun
dred yards north, which had been selected
as the site for the tree, whic ch, 1t is hoped
will grow and spread so as to shelter thous-
ands of Endeavorers In the years to come.
The exercises were brief and Informal
Chairman W. H. H. Smith of the committee
of '6 introduced President Clark to make
the Introductory address. The doctor spoke
In his usual happy vein, and then Secretary
Baer offered prayer. Mr.. l.. f. Meacham,
a young Endeavorer from Chicago. who
was the originator of the idea of planting
such a tree, then delivered the principal
Grafton. He said:
Mr.. Meacham's Grafton.
I'VE stand today upon a hallowed spot
We are gathered where. in the years agone
have countless thousands STOOL and where,
in the centuries to come. will other thcus-
ands stand. We are met before the most
honored grave that is known to the nations
Of earth-it is the sepulcher OF him who
brought the dawn of liberty.
In every land beneath the sun some
patriot has lived, whose living was bless
ing to the world: some hero Is extoled.
some name is held In loving memory But
when, from the record of nations we read
the roll of those who thus have served To-.
first is written. Washington
And at his tomb shall the peace oak grow
in the name of Christ. High may 1t tower
Its mighty boughs and wide its branches
spread, and firmly may it's oots become en-
planted in the soil. May 1t be 10 men a SYM
Dol OF the mighty church of Cod, an! as
such may 1t stand until shall come an uni
versal peace; until shall come a reign of love
in all the ends Of earth. And as The years
of time shall pass and seasons come and go,
may spring remind men ever OF their OPP
portunity; and summers radian ce lead them
on 10 scatter deeds of love: and autu,nr's
grandeur mean to each some act of duty
done. And when the winters SHOWS descend
and cover Ger the earth. may it be as bless
ingS shed upon Christian world
And may Columbia never again unsheath
her sword In strife, nor Britain's flag ever
float again above the field of blood. May
noble France never march again to CONQUER
or TO die. and may German bayonnts never
more CLEAN with the battles lin. But from
the north lands and the south, wherever
man shall dwell. may peace. .;weet peace.
rest with his to counsel guiue and bless.
And now may all men know that in this
year of our Lord one thousand eight hum
dred and ninety-six the United Society OF
Christian EndeavOr, in the name of the
Prince of Peace, have set this tree as a
pledge of loyalty.
God save the world. Amen"
History of the Movement.
The following history of the peace oak
was then read by Chairman Smith:
I'm the days of 1860 when war was brood
ing over the land, peace commission met
in Washington. The leading spirit was
John j. Crittenden of Kentucky, a member
OF the House of Representa- tives, who intro
duced into Congress that heroic effort which,
known as the peace resolutions, was famed
throughout the world. This overture to
avert the conflict was, however unsuccess-
full.
I'm the year 1862 when, returning from
So1ourn in his native state Mr.. Crittenden
brought some acorns. at the suggestion CT
MIR. w. X. Smith. who was then, as now
Gardens. and with his own hands he planted
near the gate where the gardens adjoin the
Capitol grounds the tree which towers to-
day with such stately majesty. He set it
there TO be known as the peace oak as a
sign that our nation. which then was rife IN
civil war, should never again take arms.
From an acorn produced by that tree was
grown the one We plant today"
The crowd sang America Mr. Foster
F. A. Swartwout.
An adjournment was then taken to the
mansion. where the remainder of the pro-
gram was carried out. There was PRAYER
by Mr.. William Shaw, treasurer of the
United Society: appropriate hymns were
sung. and DIR. James L. Hill of Salem, Mass,
delivered an address.