The morning times., 1897-02-24


school children yesterday afternoon, who
gathered to celebrate Washington's Birth
day. The exercises were held under the
auspices OF the Washington Board Of Trade,
for the benefit OF the pupils in the pub
lis schools.
Long before the hour of arrived the
house was packed with the juveniles, rep
resenting all the schools of the city. 1t
would have made theatrical star heart
flutter with delight to have faced that
sea of faces and to have heard the thunders
Of applause that greeted the opening
strains from the Marine Band, stationed
on the platform. From pit To topmost
gallery, inclusive, the children were there;
nor were they at all backward in setting
forth that fact.
On the stage were Mr.. S. w. Woodward,
president OF the board OF trade, who pre-
sided over the exercises; Gen. Nelson A
Miles, Commissioner Ross, Col. NJ. Nj.
Parker, Superintendent OF Schools Powell,
and Mr.. John w. Twecdale, chief clerk
OF the War Department.
Mr. Woodward welcomed the children
in II few Introductory remarks. Gen Miles
made an interesting address, in which he
referred to this city as being unsurpassed
in the matter OF public schools aud general
educational facilities, by the other large
cities of the country, and called attention
TO the debt the pupils owed To Washington
both ny reason OF The fact that he was the
founder OF a free republic and on account
Of the efforts he made i'll the furtherance
of educational matters. Reference was
made to Washington 5 lofty character and
high aims. and the children were urged
TO emulate the example set by him. While
they might not aspire TO the exalted po-
sition held by Washington in the hearts
of the millions OF American citizens to-
day. yet they could attain as pure and
noble personal character as was his.
'.In civil and domestic life" said Gen.
Miles. George Washington was gentle
amiable, am always example that one
should emulate. All that constitute true
manhood was found In his character. The
advantages we now enjoy are a tribute
To the nobility Of his character. The
name OF Washington Is one OF the mightieSu
names of earth
After music by the band, Mr. John
Tweedale reciteG The Revolutionary Up
risings,'' and the band played The Star
Spangled Banner"
Commissioner Ross was the next speaker
He said, in part:
- have always said Of the school chill
dren Of the District of Columbia tina they
are the most orderly and quiet children in
the world. No children he added, are
more 10 be enyled than the American
youth toward the close of this nineteenth
century How is ii that You, whether
rich or poor, are given equal chances to
acquire broad and liberal education?
How is it that YOU are placed under ocir-
cumstances Of birth or rank that can mar
your right To the acquisition of learning?
You know Of the contention of your fore
fathers that all governments should derive
their power from the consent of the gov
erned. You know of their reverses that
finally ended in a triumph over the in
fluencc Of the mother country. Without
a navy, without money and with little
credit, how was IL that the Americans
triumphed?
You NAV say that success was due TO
the Justice Of the cause. But what would
have been the result had there not ocen
found man who inspired hope in The
hearts of his fell low -countrvmen and
gained their confidence and love by al
ways acting in the right in his personal
life and i'll an official capacity? There
was man in Virginia who was pos
sesscd of those traits and they made hiEl
the leader of his people and the cham
piun OF their cause.
IVA Shingtrn was one of the first to
advocate the extension Of the public edu-
IA III
the land In his farewell address Washing
ton said that in proportion as the peo-
pie gave way to public opinion it was
necessary that public opinion should be
enlightened Every American youth who
is Il public school pupil should revere the
name of George Washington
The exercises closed with the rem
dering OF the High School Cadets by
the Marine Band.
The occasio on was also celebrated in
most OF the schools.
Besides the usual holiday exercises there
were devotional exercises at each schoolby
a minister, and a brief address by n mem
ber of the board of trade. Members of
the board also acted as presiding Officers
The assembly ly-roonsinth various schools
were tastefuHy decorated with national
colors and the exercises were witnessed
by the parents and friends Of the pupils.
AT the Eastern High School the eXer-
cises were opened with a few remarks by
Prof. Lane, who introduced MIR. T. W.
Smith as the presiding officer. The first
number on the program was America"
sung with spirit by the pupils Of the school.
Mr. W. c. Dodge, representing the board
OF trade. was then introduced, and deliy-
cred q short address. The other numbers
on the program were given by members OF
the American history class, and We're as
follows: Extracts from Washington Is fare
well address, with comments, by Miss ].
Mcmillan; Washin gton as soldier, Miss
E. Fawcett; Washington as statesman,
Miss l.. McNally; Washington as ii man,
Miss NJ. Bugbee: Washington's impress on
the city of Washington, Miss a. Leaver;
Mount Vernon. MissJ. V. Kelley.
The concluding remarks We're by Mr..
Smith.
At the Business High School the exer-
cises Were presided over by Mr.. W. B.
Gurley. The following program was rem
dered Piano solo, Miss Macdonald; es-
say. "Washingtons Claim to Genius" c.
"A Jones; Washington Career as a States
man. D. Durfey; violin solo, T. B. Amiss;
..Washingtons Greatness" L. A. Finn;
Washington Rank Among Heroes" Miss
Scott: cornet solo, A. S. Qunter; Wash
ington's Fame, - Dana White; chorus,
American
At the Western High School Miss West
coat. principal, the exercises were opened
with America, in grand chorus, by the