Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-21
D. A. R. IN SESSION
Seventh Annual Meeting Of Cont
mental Congress Of Women.
MRS. ADLAI E. STEVENSON PRESIDES
Great Interest Centers in Choice of
Her Successor.
CON NTION n o Z E s
MRS. ADLAI E. STEVENSON PRESIDES
cow ENTIO NOT E

There was a revival of the splendor Of the
Grand Opera House this morning. 1t was
a matinee performance. and one to which
the eyes OF the whole country are turned
at present, for representatives of every
section were in attendance at the opening
session Of the seventh continental congress
of the National Society of the Daughters
of the American Revolution.
The stage was filled with the women who
are prominent in the ranks of the society
and in the social and political annals Of the
United States. The first floor was filled
and the overflow extended to the galleries.
Viewed from the stage it made a pretty
appearance, as the ladies were In handsome
gowns, the effects of which were further
heightened by the bits Of color represented
in the badges which decorated them. The
ladies had bright faces, and they seemed
happy that they were daughters and
that, being such, and entitled to be present,
they had found 1t possible to attend.
1t was plain that IL was woman's con-
vention, for there was a noise of many
tongues, ali going at once, and musical
laughs were heard upon all sides. 1t was
like bee hive, when the bees are discuss
ing the merits of a particularly fine brand
OF honey which appeals alike TO the tastes
of ALL
There was another thing which showed
that the guiding hands of the convention
were feminine, white, slender, soft, delicate,
and jewel-bedecked. This was that, though
the opening session was set for 10 o'clock, 1t
was almost an hour later when Mrs. Adlai
E. Stevenson, the president general Of the
society, raped for order with the silver
gavel, which is only used at the morning
sessions. 1t Is due the delegates and the
others present to state that after the con-
vention had been formally opened the audi
ence behaved itself with decorum. and
there WAS scarcely whisper heard while
the proceedings continued.
The Stage View.
There was a business-like manner about
Mrs. Stevenson which Gid not admit Of
any trifilns. The velvet curtains were drawn
aside. displaying the stage decorated with
flags ard palms, cut flowers and orange
trees. In the center of the rear of the
stage hangs suspended q large ono of
George Washington, draped with flags, and
the national colors are draped all around
the parlor setting Of the stage and about
the railing of the balcony, galleries and
boxes.
On the stage grouped about the president
general, Mrs. Stevenson. were the national
beard and Mrs: Rose Bracket, vice presi-
dent general, Miss Jouet Ric harrison, the
official reader; the page of the president:
general. Miss Hubbell and at the right the
table for the official reporters of the con-
gress.
On the table of the president general
stood magnificent floral offering from the
national board, and large bouquet Of
american beauty and pearle roses from
the state regent of Illinois to Mrs. Steven
SON. 1t was tied with 1.-The blue and white
ribbon of the national society.
The most important work of the morning
was the address of the president. and tho
passing or resolution by the convention
extending the sympathies Of the daughters
70 the relatives and friends of those VINO
had persisted on the Maine which disaster
was deemed SO appalling that action On it
was deemcd necessary without delay.
Greeted With Applause.
The esteem in which Mrs. Stevenson. the
president, is held was shown by the ap-
piause which greeted her appearance on
the stage. She presides over the congress
with the same firmness, calmness and de-
liberation with which her husband led the
oestines OF the Senate of the United States.
when he was Vice President.
Mrs. Stevenson called the convention to
oroer' after which the chaplain general
mrs. Charles A. Stakely. offered prayer
she made a most appropriate invoca ton
IN winch she asked for divine guidance for
the congress, and rendered thanks for
marked successes in the past
90, AL thls she asked she said fervently,
In the name of Him. who taught us to
repeat, Our Father, who art in heaven
with this the entire convention, Mrs
stakely leading. repeated the Lords PRAYER
ceedings. PA"
AFTER the singing Of the three last stanzas
OF our Country" Mr.. Percy S. Wilson
prtcentor. leading, Mr.. A. Oimstead, ac
coinpahlst on the piano, Mrs. Stevenson
read her address. The hymn was sung NV
all present standing. 1t was rendered in
nigniy patriotic manner, and il IT had
peen sung at regular theater perform
ance would have undoubtedly demanded
an encore.
Address of the President.
The address of welcome Of the president
general was listened to with the most ap-
preciative attention. She spoke clearly.
and her words could be heard plainly from
every part of the house She was inter.
rupted with applause, when she would stop
for few moments and then proceed She
said iii part:
Mrs. SfevensOn's Address,
When Rome, the eternal city, ruled the
then known world from her illustrious
hllis, 1t was the custom Of that imperial
people to place upon the top stone of their
steps the simple word, 'Salve"-welcome.
1t Is not upon the marble slab where your
footsteps linger that we would write
'Salve," but upon the Iintels of the door
pests of the homes in this capital city, that
wherever your eyes may rest, you may
know how gladly, how proudly, all would
say welcome"
AS we assemble once more to renew
Pleasant friendships, to report the progress
OF the work of the past year and to make
new plans for the future, reverently. ten
Derby We recall the loved ones who since
our last meeting have Embarked upon
that shoreless sea, whose CLASSY waves
have never known the shadow of a home
ward SAIL They are not dead
In the report of the vice president gem
eral In charge of the organization of chap
tiers Mrs. H. V. Boynton) to the second
continental congress. she states: THE first
chapter of the National Society of the
Daughters Of the American Revolution
vas organized in Chicago. ILL.,, March 10
1891. Mrs. Boynton further reported that
there were on that date twenty-four state
regents, ntnety-seyen chapter regents and
total membership of 2, 100
IL was at this time that, untutored and
undisciplined 1 entered into your service,
10 obey your commands, however with
many Inisgivings having been elected to
the high office of president general by the
second continental congress in February,
1893.
While the pathway has not always been
strewn with roses. nor the streets OF
pure gold. nor the safes of pearl, nor the
foundations of Jasper" yet l am grateful
that somewhere, concealed within the
heart of my daughters (for such you will
ever be to mel has been the great broad