The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-02-23
NOT OBSERVING THE DAY
CAPITAL HAS LESS AND LESS RE-
SPECT FOR WASHINGTON
umbia Are Not NOtnbIe-The
First Celebration known Was in
Washington in I7S2-The OBJ
serVance of the Day in 800.

Washington Bureau st. Paul Globe,
CoTeoran Building.
Special 10 The 81. Paul Globe
WASHINGTON, Feb. 22-Of late
years the observance of Washington's
birthday has been less marked in this
! city than 1t was Of old Congress treats
the holiday continually with less aud
less respect, and the military parades
and similar festivities have lost much
OF the vigor which they showed even
as lately as a dozen years ago. The
death Of Dr. Toner, who was not only
one of the best known and most popu-
lar citizens Of the District of Column
bia, but an untiring student OF Ameri-
can history and collector of Htera ture
and relics connected with George
WaShington'S career. put an end TO the
most characteristic of all the days OBJ
servances here. 1t was his custom for
many years 10 revive the memory Of
the labOrS Of the Washington MOnu-
ment association by inviting the sur
viving members of the association and
most Of the leading citizens Of the Dis
trict and persons in public life to a
luncheon at his home every 22nd OF
February. The Toner luncheon and
the annual meeting of Society OF Old
est Inhabitants eclipsed in popular in
terest any of the other celebrations, IN
til the patriotic sOcieties-the Sons OF
the Revolution and Sons Of the Ameri-
can IeevolutiOn-urdertOok to give a
social turn to their Washington's birth
day meetings.
The day has always been rather. more
generally celebrated in the South than
in any other part Of the country. The
first celebration of which we have q
printed record was in 1872 at Rich
mOnd Virginia. This was while Gen.
Washington was still living and in the
heishth Of his fame. The 18th Of FEB
ruary was adopted as the date Of the
holiday, in pursuance Of WaShingtOn's
own practice Of observing the old style
date up to his twentieth year and per-
hapS later. The Virginia Gazette re-
ters to the cOmmemOratiOn of 1882 as
being conducted with the utmost dem
onstrations of joy" The next year a
notable public celebration is recorded
as having taken place at two points
in Maryland Talbot court house. on the
eastern shore, and Cambridge, the chief
town of Dorchester county In both
places the inha bitants OF the neighbor-
hood turned out in a body to do honor
TO the Father Of His Country, and at
Cambridge a particularly imposing
dinner was spread, Of which all the
leading citizens took part The toasts
drunk at this dinner went the rounds
Of the circle of friends of the budding
republic. Washingtons health was
drunk under the title. The boosted
hero of liberty" King Louis XVI Of
France, was designated the protector
Of the rights of mankind" the seven
united provinces of Holland figured as
our allies" and the Count de Rocham-
beau. the French army, congress. the
governor and state Of Maryland and
others who had lent a hand in the
patriot war, were similarly honored.
The first celebration in New York
as far as is known. occurred in 1884
1t IS IN entertaining commentary on
the difference between the rapidity OF
communication then and now. that it
took six days to get an account of New
York's celebration into the PhiIadeI-
phia Packet. The quaint character Of
this description contrasts oddly. also
with the fambOuyant style of our new
journalism" "Wednesday last" SAYS
the contemporary ChrOnicler. being the
birthday of his exceIIency. Gen. Wash
ington, the same was celebrated here
by all the true friends of American
Independence and Constitutional Lib
erty with that hilarity and manly de-
pertinent ever attendant on the sons
of freedom. In the evening the enter
tainment was given on board the East
india ship. in this harbOr. to a very
brilliant and respectable company. and
a discharge of thirteen cannons was
fired on the joyful occasion" News