The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-07-09

convention. Partly because the conyen-
tion Is to be held so soon after the cele-
brntion OF Independence day, but chiefly
for the reason that the promotion of
good citizenship is fundamental prin-
olple OF the Christian Endeayor Society,
and because, further, the convention
| 6hls year Is to be. held in the capital
city OF COMMUNICATING nation, is tho
pa1rlotic feature TO be made prominent. =
Merely because the convention is to be
held In Washington, great impulse
Will be given in this direction. The
heart of every American citizen beats
with reasonable pride as he views the
beautiful capital and visits it's public
buildings and sees the most prominen [
statesmen, members of the Judiciary and
officers OF the army and navy III the
country, whose presence here is required
BY official duties. Every citizen of the
United States has a desire to visit. at
least once in his career. the city where
Uncle Sam lives; to go through the de-
partment buildings, see for himself
something of the machinery of govern
ment and perhaps offer suggestions as to
the manner In which the system could
be improved. or select an office that he
would like to fill. Thousands of those
who are either on their way to the con-
vention or are making preparations for
an early start, have never been to Wash
lngton; they will see its lofty monument
and graceful Capitol dome, its ublic
buildings, statues of heroes, its parks
and handsome private residences for the
first time. No other city in the country
presents SO many points of interest or 80
many mementos lhat are interviewer
into the nations history as does WASH
ington.
IN FRONT OF THE CAPITOL.
Because these facts are recognized and
because it is desired to emphasize them,
a grand patriotic demonstration has been
planned for Saturday afternoon. July II,
in front Of the Capitol. Permission to
use the building AID grounds for this
purpose has been granted the committee
of '96 by Vice President Stevenson and
Speaker Reed. 1t is proposed to have
the chorus of more than 1000 voices oo-
oupy the steps where succeeding Presi-
dents take the oath of Office and deliver
to thrunging crowds in the spacious
plaza fronting the building their inau-
gural addresses. President Francis Il.
CLARK, of the Worlds Christian Endeavor
Union, will next Saturday occupy the
stand and the open square will be filed
with members of the organization from
all lands. A good citizenship banner
will be presented and brief address is
| to be delivered, but the principal feature
Is expected to be the chorus singing.
For the first time since the mammoth
body was organized, the four sections
will be brought together under one d.
| rector. and more than 1000 voices will
join in hymns and songs, whose theme
is liberty, freedom and love of father
land. The strains will be taken up by
| the assem- bled thousands, and patr lotto
impulses will stir every heart.
After the exercises at the Capitol the
Endeavorers will march in body along
Pennsylvania avenue to the Treasury
the historic route tramped by the vic
| torious Union armies when they passed
| in grand review through the city afer the
restoration of peace, in 1865, the same
parade ground that is quadrennlally
| traversed by inaugural professions.
The programme has been so arranged
that nothing will interfere with this
feature. Meetings will BIS held Saturday
morning in the tents. but nothing ex-
cept the Capitol vesper exercise has been
planned for the afternoon. Everything
gives way to the demonstration Of pa
triotic fervor.