The San Francisco call., 1898-02-23
HONOR THE NAME
 OF WASHINGTON.
Members of the Y. M. l. Commem- crate the Birth of the Father
 of His Country.


 The annual reunion of the San Fran cisco Councils of the Young Mems h. stitute filled Metropolitan Hall yester- day afternoon with a patriotic and en- thusiastic audience. The exercises were in commemoration of the birth of George Washington, and the large hall was tastefully and suitably dec orated. On the platform when the proceedings opened were the following vice presidents of the different coun- cils: w. H. Mcclellan, M. E. King, A. B. Mcguire, E. J. O'Rourke, Martin W. Fleming, R. A. Miller, J. J. Shea han, George W. Patterson, $. Pack man, M. J. Waldheimer, Richard Dow dall, Robert Tobin, r. J. Kierce, P. H. Hammond, Samuel Haskins. John T. Geary, E. B. Thomas, J. J. McDade, George A. Stanley, Frank Murasky, Martin B. King, Charles L. Healey, E.. J. Coffey, w. J. Hoey, Charles J. liar rington, T. P. O'Brien, R. E. FaZacker- ley, J. T. Kavanaugh, Philip Prince vale, J. F. Callaghan, D. E. Hayden, H. A. Burke, John Looney, P. c. keitz, Ed D. Sullivan, John J. Buddy, P. J. Hagan, Harry Kugelberg, A. Pilcoyich. John A. Dunbravy, J. E. Gallagher and F. E. Mahoney.
 E. B. Thomas, the chairman of the committee of arrangements, opened the proceedings. In his address he spoke of the appropriateness of the day for such q reunion. The meeting of the members of the councils of the Young Mems Institute on this occasion," he said, 'Is to do honor to the memory of the man who stands as our eXem- plar of human freedom, George Washington"
 m z day, in his address said: Tt has been the custom for years at these reunions to honor the memory of the father of our country It has also been GUS tomary to congratulate ourselves on the peace of our country. I had one of those peaceful speeches prepared, but the telegraph and the cable com menced to work and I had to change it. I do not believe war is imminent It has not yet been discovered that the Maine was destroyed by an enemy, but if 1t is. and the President issues proclamation defying the treacherous foe. 1 have no doubt there will be a rally from the ranks of the Young Mems Institute, and they will stand ready to do battle for their country wherever duty calls them"
 Mrs. Edith Stanley Griffin gave a contralto solo, Mount Vernon's Bells" and she was obliged to respond to an encore s. J. Daly gave a bass solo. J. P Grodjens also sang and Thomas w. Hickey was called on for. several recitations.
 The orator of the day was Rabbi M s. Levy. He expressed appreciation of the honor of being appointed orator of the occasion. We want to be patrio- tic." he said, mot for years is patriot ism more needed than it Is at present We want to teach our young men pa triOtism and loyalty to country At this time the nation is on the tip toe of excitement Innocent men serving their country Loyalty have been sent to meet their creator by an act that seems impossible of explanation. Mill lions of eyes are turned to the national seat of government waiting to hear the cause of disaster. I believe 1t was due to an accident. but should it prove to be from an act of treachery Columbia s sons will be found equal to cope with the emergency and to be equal to that Ce any nation on the earth. When was asked to address this gathering 1 did not hesitate in giving my consent. I felt bound to speak to this gathering, opposite though we are in religious sentiment, but as one as Americans and friends. We cherish the immortal name of George Washington. We can not perform acts that will link our names with his, but give us the oppor- tunity and we will by our. deeds of valor give our names a place of honor, America convinced of her debt to her immortal sire has conferred the holiest and noblest title upon him-father of our country, noble sire and father of religious toleration. Millions are doing honor tO that name to-day but none do 1t greater honor than the members of the Young Mems Institute of Califor- nia.''