The San Francisco call., 1897-02-23
OF Btenh of the Naval
Fugb but Five OF the

I D. Hicks, William F. Humphrey. Charles F.
Healey, D. c. Oman, R. L. Fszsckerley, James
Z. Britt, Edward K. Myrick. Antoine Pilco-
vich, J. F. Fitzgerald, Thomas P. James, J..
Boody, Thomas H. f. Allen, Thomas P. Gren-
nan, Edward F. Fay, D. ]. McGory, James w.
Mccarthy, J. F. Curley, William H. Mccarthy,
William A. Kelly, Fred F. Dunno, Frank A.
Sullivan, James Kingston, r. A. Miller, Ed
ward ]. 0'Rourke, Martin E. King, D. ]. Ma
honey, James ]. Gildea, Samuel ]. Haskins, j.
]. Barrett, F. ]. KIerce, J. ]. Lynch, Colonel J.
c. OConnor, George w. Pattisou, ]. Fl. Sulii-
van, V. Aguilera, DR.. J. R. Mccarthy, N. ].
Hoey.
The proceedings were opened with an
overture. Then Edward B. Thomas. who
presided, rose to make the Introductory
remarks, speaking in substance as fol-
lows:
Rev. Fathers, Ladies and Gentlemen and
Members OF the Young Mems Institute, we
meet here to-day to join with our fellow-citt-
zens in celebrating the day which has become
one OF National observance, AMI which will lie
&c. eb7ated Tor all time by the American people
as National holiday. This will lie done in
memory of one whs was first in war and first
II peace, and VINO has left name never to b.
forgott n, tor he stood for the freedom OF
country aud OF religion. We hope that the
IouHs mems institute Will always snow ltS
love for the wisdom and patriotism of George
Washington.
Mr.. Thomas introduced Colonel James
f. Smith. who spoke concerning the cele-
bration of Washington's birthday by the
institute. Colonel Smith said:
1t was fitting that the Young Mems Institute
should take some part In restoring to its
place in the patriotic calendar the name OF
George Washington. The Young Mems Insti-
tute was patriotic. Its principles were love of
God and love of country.
So it was fitting that the Young Mems Insti-
tute should have part in tbs restoration to the
calendar of the name of George Washington.
1t is strange to say that IL has ever become
necessary to use the word restoration in con-
nection with the great name of Washington.
But it was nevertheless true. In the time of
prosperity the memories OF heroes have been
fofgotten. But shall it be SO that the memo
ries of heroes shall be buried in the season of
our pride? No, no; thousand times no!
1t should be remembered that in the past
twenty-five years the influence of practical
politics has had its effect on our history. What
has been considered practical has usurped the
! place of what was patriotic. 1t had been said
that the American people were conserva tive
and moved slowly. This was not true The
calling to mind by the institute some years
1
mere ordinary holiday was sufficient 10
awaken an outburst of patriotic feeling; and
the Young Mems Institute had conspicuous
part in calling up afresh the memory of the
| glorious services OF George Washington.
This was Christian naJlon. Its Declaration
of Independence declared a belief in God
This was reasse7ted in courts, even on the face
of the money which passed from hand to hand
This was Chris tian nation in that it recoc-
nized God and Jesus Christ. Here men could
stand together in love with O common God
and in love of common country.
Miss May Cook sang a set number, and
as an encore sang "The Star-spancled
Banner" The orchestra PLAYED; then
the oration was delivered by John J.
Barrett. He said:
The day is rich in the cluster of its
memories, in memories OF Mount Yer
non and its matchless dead. Washing
toms birthday would always have the first
place among the festal days of the Young
Mems Institute. The key to Washlneton,s
life was his love for God and his couh-
try. His deeds, his genius, his heroism did
not alone give an index Cf his career Itwas
the love of Washington for God and his native
| land that lifted his life above that of other
warriors.
This country had been rich in statesmansbip
| This country has bowed TO the great of other
lands. So rich was this country in this respect
that 1t envied no other. This day was there
fore commemorated with this in view that the
world shared in our glory in the contem pla-
ton OF the great and good of every age and
every land. In his greatness Washington en-
bodied the great qualities of all heroes and
that made him the most majestic figure in all
secular history-the matchless one of the ages
The chiefest force in human actions was mo-
! i've, and that was the supreme test of human
worth. The controlling motive of Washing
toms life was his love of country and his abid-
ing faith in Supreme Being. He set this ideal
before him in his youth. and to this he ad-
hered. This it was that vitalized his life and
made him immor tai. No one loved liberty
more than he. No one better obeyed just
law. With him. also, was resistance to tyranny
| obedience to God.
Mr.. Barrett spoke of other names illus