The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1898-02-22
WAsH|NGTOM's BIRTHDAY
II Is Celebrated by Public
Meetings and Drills.
WAR TALK on THE STREETS
The Nete ran Volunteer Firemen Pa
rade-T High School Cadets Are
Inspected-The Oldest Inhabitan ts'
Association Talk Of Times Gone
By-Meetiues Tonigh

The American flag and American pa
triotism were largely in evidence today,
and citizens Of every creed. color and con-
dition quietly celebrated the birthday OF
George Washington, soldier philanthropy
list and statesman.
Old Glory fioated in the breeze over
hundreds of buildings. I'm many instances
at half mast TO symbolic the grief of the
people over the massacre OF the American
seamen on the Maine.
Today being a legal holiday the Gov
ernment departments. District buildings
and City Hall were closed. and the broad
thoroughfares presented a holiday APP
pearance with gaily dressed throngs.
Government employees took advantage
Of the relaxation from official duties to
congregate at different points and discuss
the Spanish and Cuban situation and ex-
press their Indignation at the destruction
Of the Maine. War talk could be heard
on every hand and young men and wo-
men wore patriotic neckties of red, white
and blue.
Young America was also largely in evil
dence. There was no popping of fire.
crackers and kissing of skyrockets, fea-
lures which always mark the celebration
of the Fourth Of July. but the boys car
ried miniature American flags, beat tat
toos upon toy drums and talked patriot
ism.
The elderly boys also indulged in pa
triotic good cheer. notably. the Associa-
tion of Oldest Inhabitants and the Vet
eran Volunteer Firemen These gray
haired fire isddies Of days gone by as
sembled at the old firehouse, on Nine
teenth street st 1:S0 O'Clock this after
noon. and after enjoying a bountiful re-
past put on their fire hats and bun
coats, hauled out their ancient ma
chine" and treated the holiday sight
seers 10 a parade on Pennsylvania ave
nue. and other thoroughfares. The Old
est Inhabitants have established Wash
ingtons Birthday as their particular day.
perhaps because ii is fraught with SO
many recollections of the good old DAYS
OF yore. and their celebration today was
up to the usual high standard
The public schools and other education
al institutions were closed, and the
scholars added to the holiday throng on
the streets. The Georgetown University
baseball team engaged in first prac-
tice game. and hicYclists took advantage
OF the cool. bracing air to make runs into
the surrounding country.
The battalion Of High School cadets pa
raded this afternoon. and at 2:20 o clock
were reviewed on the plaza in front OF
the Arlington Hotel 10y the District Com
missioners and number Of invited
guests. including Assistant Secretary oil
War Meiklejohu. Gen. Miles. BflSadier
Gems Rregk and Wilson, Col. r =.
Cueuther. Capt. Michler, Col. Charles ;.
Heywood L = Marine Corps; capt r.
II Harrington. OF the Marines; Rear Al
miral Norton. Gen. George IL Hafrles-
ID & y. G.: Senators Allison ana nc
MILAN. REPRESENTATIVES Cannon bab-
cock Piiney. Mahion- Bingham'
yate' Alien OF Mississippi. and other dis
tinerished men.
The cadets Of the Colored High School
also Daraded ard We're praised FOR their
soldier-ly movements and maneuNers.
a public patriotic meeting was held in
the Columbia Theater during the fore
noon by the Children OF the American
Revolution. now in annual convention
here.
Revolution met at Rauscher's. on Con-
r,ecticut avenue. and celebrated the day,
besides electing officers for the year.
A mass meeting was held by the Chris
+ian Fndt.s E0rers Of the New Christian
church. corner OF Ninth and ID streets
northeast. The uastor. Rev. +. b. Bag
lev. presided. and a stirring address was
delivered bv Rev. B. b. Tyler. the Christ
ian Church evangelist. He urged his
hearers TO be true Christians and good
Americans There was a splendid pro-
gram Of music and other exercises. This
society is said to be the largest Christian
Epdeayor organization i'm the District.
Members of the old Metropolitan Rifles
met AT No 1891 r street northwest, ana
fratelnized over the days Of 1851. when
the company responded TO the long ron
and guarded the public buildings and ap-
proaches 10 the city until the arrival OF
state troops. Those present expressed
Willingness TO again answer the assem-
bly, and shoulder their guns in defense
Of American honor against Spanish IN
suit, treacherY ana blUster, should the
country require their services.
A special train over the Baltimore and
Ohio. consisting Of baggage cars. coaches
and sleepers. with a large number OF eX-
c1rsionists from points on the West
Shore Railroad OF New York State, ar
rived here at O'Clock this morning.
An interesting free exhibition Of origi-
nal paintings. illustrating Senator
Lodges story of the Revolution re-
Gently published. was opened today in the
art room OF the Cosmos Club, Fifteenth
and n streets northwest The exhibition
will continue until Saturday.
A number of interesting events are an
nounced for this evening. The Hebrew
charity BAN at the National Rifles Arm
orv viii be a grand affair. and it Is ex-
pected that a handsome charity fund will
be realized.
A patriotic meeting viii be held oy the
Young Mems Christian Association at its
rooms on New York avenue, commencing
at S o'clock There will be orchestral and
vocal music and addresses by Messrs.
Charles r. Nesoit. Il. NJ. Bradley, Judge
Anson s. Taylor. and George 5. Davis.
The congregation of the f1fth street NJ
z. Church will be rendered a Martha
Washington reception this evening by
Mrs s s. Daish. at her residence. No.
1909 Nineteenth street. Features and cos