Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-02-20
STUDENTS CELEBRATE
General Miles Stirring Address at the
Eastern High School.
Washington's Character Portrayed
the Centrnl-Every Citizens Duty.

S~AHSe
ars, and the various programs were car
ried out in most patriotic spirit.
The 500 scholars Of the Central High
School assembled in the lecture room on
the third floor at l o'clock and listened 10
most eloquent orations by Rev Alex
Mackay-Smith on America as the heritage
of God. The speaker drew with firm strokes
the converging lines of proof showing how
from climate, race. ancestry. geosraph-
ical position, this nation had realized the
prophecy Washington made of its future.
There was less than usual of the story OF
Washington, and a thoughtful, historical
analysis of the influences which have mers-
ed in our civilization and the directions In
which the patriotic citizens OF today may
direct his energies to add to the greatness
of the republic.
At the close of the Grafton the large au-
dience of bright-faced boys and girls broke
out in loud and long-continued burst of
applause.
The music was furnished by the High
School Orchestra and Glee Club, conducted
by Prof. Sherburne, the members of both
acquitting themselves with great credit
The program opened with the High School
Cadets March, by the orchestra The
Glee Club rendered march from car
men, and the orchestra played the over
ture From Dawn Till Twilight" After the
Grafton the orchestra played the king
Cotton March, to which the scholars
marched back to their respective rooms
MIR. S. w. Woodward, president of the
Washin gton board of trade, presided.
Eastern High School.
The exercises at the Eastern High School
were of peculiar interest because of the
presence and participation of Maj. Gen.
Nelson A. Miles, commanding the armies of
the United States. He was accompanied by
Capt. Nichols of his staff. On behalf of
the second-year class, Gen. Miles presented
to the school large ard handsome flag.
The school marched to tie exhibition hall
H..
pended. to the music of Hail, Columbia"
each pupil wearing upon his breast mlnia-
tGre flag.
Addresses were made by Mr.. w. c. Dodge,
representing the beard of trade and Mr.
J. w. Whelpiey president of the board of
trustees of public schools. After music by
the Glee Club the special feature of the
occasion was introduced
Mr.. Hallam of the class a representa-
tive Of the boys of the second year, told in
an interesting and humorous manner how
the money needed to purchase the flag was
obtained.
After mandolin and guitar duet by the
Weaver brothers, Miss Dugan, also of the
class. in behalf of the committee of girls
who did the work in making the flag, told
the story of it's manufacture.
vocal solo by Mr.. Gilbert A. Clarke,
followed with a recitation by Miss Vida
Dawson, led to the climax of the proceed
ings.
Gen. Miles was introduced by Mr.. Dodge.
MY young friends he said, lit is pleas
ing duty to me to be here this afternoon
and one that I shall always remember. We
should love and respect the principles of
our government. The flag Is nothing in it
self, but. it is great as an indication of the
principles it represents.
Gen. Miles referred to the Chinese fiag-a
dragon-the symbol of strength and num-
bers, but he added it has been demon
strated recently how little that avails with
out intellect and training. In describing
the flag of the United States he referred to
hn yr-ni tnLH off, ,,ify no rad 20
showing the sacrifice of blood to- sustain
the flag in the air. and the blue as union
and loyalty.
1T is especially fitting" continued Cen
eral Miles. that a flag should float over
every school and educational institution in
| the country. The purpose of it is that you
should see it, love and respect it, and, if
| need be. die for it, in order to preserve
| it. Should danger threaten and if enemies,
inland or foreign, should attempt to lower
! it. 1 urge you to defend it to the last de-
| gree on land and waving billow."
In reply the principal of the school,
Mr.. c. NJ. Lacey Sites, made a speech. in
which he paid a glowing tribute to Gen.
Miles as one of the heroes who have up
held the flag on the battle field during the
past quarter of q century. In conclusion,
he said: Boys and girls, call on you to
pledge with me, in the presence of Gen.
Miles. once again everlasting loyalty TO
the flag
Three ringing cheers were given for the
| flag, for Washington and for Miles, amid
the waving of flags.
With the singing of my Country IT'S of
Thee" the exercises We're brought to a
close.
Western High School.
At the Western High School the cele-
| brating ceremonies were simple, yet ap-
| propriate At IL O'Clock the students as
sembled in the lecture hall of Curtis School
| building, and the exercises opened with the
singing of the Star Spangled Banner" all
| Of the pupils taking part. Mr.. Samuel w.
Curriden of the board Of trade was the pre-
! siding officer. and at the close of the In
| spring song he introduced the speaker Of
| the day, Mr.. 3. H. Warner. The Introduce
| tory remarks of Mr.. Curriden lasted about
| twenty minutes, and he spoke Of Washing
| ton as other people saw him, quoting the
| words of Thomas Jefferson, John Adams
| and number of other colonial heroes, who
were well versed in the good traits and
great ability of the immortal hero.
Mr. Warmers remarks were informal, but
| delivered in such manner as to hold the
| undivided interest of all in the large lecture
| room. His remarks were. of course, con-
| fined to the life of Washington, and an ex-
| emplification of the many good traits in his
| character. His entire address was more
| particularly personal lecture, and he urged
| special application Of the young people to
| study the great character of the founder of
| the country. He reviewed the life of Wash
| irgton, spoke of his great deeds, and the
Todesty, which was a great factor in his
| composition. He spoke of the patriotism of
| the hero in way which went to the hearts
| Of all Of his hearers. He showed how Wash
| ington was first in war, first in peace. and
| first in the hearts Of his countrymen. and
what man he must have been to have
merited all this. A study of his life. the
speaker urged, would be sure to disclose the
| traits which fitted him as a man to meet al
OF these requirements Mr.. Warmers re-
marks lasted the best part of an hour The
| exercises closed with the entire school sing
| ing the patriotic air of America"
Business High School.
The exercises at the Business High School
began shortly before 2 o'clock, and almost
an hour later than the time originally in
tended. The delay was caused by the late
arrival Of the orator Of the occasion, Rep
resentative Joseph E. Washington of Ten
nessee, whose duties detained MIN at the
Capitol.
The $50 pupils Of the school, with their
teachers were crowded into the drill hall.
where they were packed like sardines in a
box.
MIR. John Joy Edison presided The exer-
eises began with the singing of the "Star
| Spangled Banner by the giee club of the
| school under the leadership of w. l.. Har-
per. The Grafton was delivered by Renre
sentative Washington. The rest of the
program was: Solo, Happy Days" Miss
Florence McNelly; violin solo, T. b. Amiss:
| march, by school orchestra, the exercises
| closing with the singing of ssMv C,ountr,,