The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-06-17
Observed by the Athletic
Association
NATIONAL FLAG UNFURLED
Brief but Patriotic Address by Col.
Henry j. Spooner,
AN ENJOYABLE ENTERTAINMENT

There was q great time" at the
Providence Athlstic Association house
last evening. and the oele bration OF the
fourth anniversary OF the home OF the or
gsnization was an affair that will un-
doubtedly be remem bered for a long
time by all who were fortunate enough
20 participate In it. Elaborate arrange
ments for q fitting celebration had been
made by the entertainment committee
OF the club, and everything was carried
out without a single hitch.
While the p. A. A. has been In its
present quarters for our years. the build
ing having been occupied for the first
time four years ago last night, this was
the first time that the anniversary had
bsen observed. m 1t Was determined, In
view OF the existing conditions. to make
the affair a patriotic one. Ths club had
issued q large Der OF Invitations,
and, judging from tho attendance, very
few. II any, declined to avail them sol YES
of the privilege 30 extended. There was
o very large a~ttenuan ce Of ladies from
the scciety circles. and this added
greatly to the great success OF the affair.
ELABORATE DESIGNATIONS.
The entire building. from the ground
floor to the gymnasium was thrown open
to the visitors, and every room and every
corridor was deliberately decorated
with the national colors In various forms.
In the gym asium, where the exer-
discs were held. the decorations were
very elaborate, consisting Of American
and Cuban flags OF oil sizes, yards urou
yards Of bunting, immense rosettss of the
national colors a other EN- bl m OF q
general nature, the whole making q most
attr . scene.
The exercises were cond ucted under
the direction OF the entertainment Dom
mittse Of the club. consisting OF William
II. Morgan, chairman; Colonel II. An
thony Dyer, James w. Hallstt, Stephen
Waterman and William III. Wing, and
the program was rs follows:
Band concert by full Hedly-Livsey
band; "Columbia she Gem OF the
Ocean," The stars and Stripes, - Sousa,
three selections; nag raising; i've
Ininutes' address by Hon. Henry J.
''Star Spangleu Banner:'' band, "Hot
Time In the OLD Town T~onisht' "All
Coons Look Alike to Ma and''L Louisiana
Lou;" vaudeville performance: illus
trated songs Thomas Bros. soprano
solo, rrixie Hinlns: black lace song aud
dance. HamiiS ana hnmliI; musical
eAoWh - VoAA1 AoAoy Iu AAOuS
female baritone; bag punching and
boxing. Madison brothers; Tom Cramlin,
Irish comedian and miluic; colored in
strumental and vocal quartet; the
Whites. singers dancers and cake
walkers.
STARS AND STRIPES UNFURLED.
After the opening seleotions by the
band. Q large and handsome flag was
lowered from the roof Of the gymnasium
and the large audience gave three hearty
cheers Hon. Henry j.. Sp0onor then
stepped from the wings. and, ~advanclng
to the footlIghts. m ade q brief address.
He oonplimented the club and the com-
mittes for having decided to have q oele-
bration Of such . pati lotto nature. aad
said that the American people was q
patriotic people, snd q people which had
always stood and does stand today ready
to support and defend Old Glory. The
boys OF 81 can never forget tho waves of
enthusiasm that swept over the land 1T
that time. aud the same scenes are being
enacted today.
Colonel Hpooner then said that the
American flag today meant more than IL
did In those days OF the OWL war, for
now IL represents the union of tho whole
people, q people that stands rendy In the
present war to defend the stars and
Stripes with their lives. AT the close of
NOiouoi opoOnor auureS9 tRcro W0S y
great deal Of hearty applause.
The entire audiences then Joined In
singing the Star Spangled BaDner, 'and
after the march, "Governor Dyer" by
ID. w. Reeves. had been played by the
band. tnoro was more slnging by The
audience, which appeared to be perfectly
familiar with the popular "cooD" s1ngs
Of the day. Tns vaudeville performances
was an excellent one In ever particul
and at It's conclusion tho floor OF the
gymnasium was cleared and dancing was
enjoyed until about . O'Clock this morn
Ing.
In addition to tho regular entertain
ment on the upper floor. there was quits
IN attraction In the reading room, which
wus something IN the nature Of a side
issue. This was the Glover quartet OF
Providence, an segregation Of very clsver
ooIored banjcistA. guitsrists and man.
dolinists, which entertained quite q large
part of The sternsr sex with the latest
popular con positions, several we'll known
business man contributing to the jollif-
by in~strun,entsl and vocal efforts
more Or less successful.
Ths whole affair was q most successful
one In svery detail, and great credit Is
due the committee which, at great pains
and energy. made all the arr angsments.