The times., 1899-02-23
IN HONOR OF THE
FIRST PRESIDENT
Washington's Birthday Cele-
brated in the Capital.
Many Pilgrims to the Historic
Shrine at Mount Vernon.
Parade of Veteran Fircmcn-ENcr.
cises of the Society of the Chill
drcu of the Revolution.

With patriotic songs and addresses in
the morning parade by the Veteran Fire
men in the afternoon, and a magnificent
feast at the National Rifles Hall. under
the auspices of the Virginia Democratic
Association, at night, the memory of Wash
ington was celebrated yesterday.
American flags were flung to the breeze
in all parts of the city and the national
colors foated from the hagstaffs of many
downtown business establishments. Pa
triotic music filled the air. and the Nation
al Capital, which was recently all but bu-
ried under a heavy snow and chilled by
a terrible blizzard. was again something
like its former self and astlT with patriot
ism.
The greater part of the day was charac-
terized with ideal weather, and the warm,
bright sun prompted thousands 10 crowd
the Avenue and f Street during the mid
die of the day. The fair sex was as much
in evidence as il generally is when patriot
ism is the motive of celebration, and the
ladies were attired in the brightest OF
colors.
The gayety of the effect produced served
as pleasing relief to the somber thrOngs
seen throughout the city during the recent
District Building, the City Hail. and public
schools were closed in honor of the day
and the man. During the afternoon busi-
ness houses and smaller shops barred their
doors and the entire city assumed holiday
appearance WaShingtons birthday is al
ways a source of inspiration TO the Amer
lean small boy and yesterday was in no
way an exception to the general rule.
They were particularly conspicuous during
of hn nf h,a NAta rg n
Firemen's Association, and were seen pa
rading as miniature soldiers, carrying
sticks for guns, beating drums, and waving
flags.
The first celebration of the day was
that given under the auspices of the Ma
tonal Society of the Children OF the Amer
lean Revolution at the Columbia Theatre
during the morning. The interior of the
coy playhouse was attractively decorated
with national colors and numerous patriot
ic devices pertinent TO the character Of the
meeting. Gray-haired mothers members
OF the society OF the Daughters of the
American Revolution, and bearded fathers
Joined with tiny boys and girls in making
the celebration one worthy of the soldier
and statesman whose memory was cele-
brated for his services in behalf of the
American people and the early American
nation.
Delegates to the annual convention of
the Children of the American Revolution,
now being held in the city. were present
from almost every State in the Union and
occupied seats in the auditorium. The sew
eral State societies were designated by
handsome silken banners. Those delegates
who participated in the celebration were
given seats on the stage. Among the flags
used in the decoration of the stage were
one used by Mai. Gen. Nelson a. Miles
at ri in 1.at
summer and another which was used on
the battleship Maine.
The exercises were opened by Mrs. Dam
iel Lothrop, National President OF the So
ciety. a fervent prayer was offered by
Mrs. Teunis S. Hamlin, National Chaplain
A patriotic march was given by the Capital
Society of this city, accompanied by music
by the John B. Henderson Drum Corps
The children participating in the march
saluted the flag and recited Our National
Flag of Liberty an ode which was writ
ten for the National Society OF the Chill
dren of the American Revolution by Mrs
Lothrop.
The national hymn America was sung
by the audience. Mrs. Lothrop delivered d
. brief address of welcome, in which she
congratulated the children upon the splen-
did showing made by them and the large
number of persons who had responded TO
Q
Mrs. Lothrop said that the character Of
the society was such to inculcate in the
! children a deeper love of country and a
! respect for their forefathers and the flag
which they defended in the early days. She
! said the foundation of the society was laid
! upon the injunctions of Washington in his
! motto. For God and Country Responses
| 10 the address were made by the older
! children of the society among them being
| Allen Lawrence Story, of the New York
| society; Miss Anne Wright of the Tren-
| ton-Prnceton society, of this city; keren
| Whittier Culbertson, of this city: Eben
/ Hill and Morgan Moore, OF the Lord Balti-
I more society. of Baltimore. recitation
/ entitled The Flag Goes By was given by
! little Willie Morrison Alexander and an
/ adaptation of Marching Through Geor-
/ gia" entitled Hail the Flag" was sung
| by 100 children, who marched on the stage
! carrying small American flags.
( The Grafton of the day was delivered by
I Representative Jonathan F. DoIliver, oi
/ Iowa, who declared that there was deer
| philosophy in the patriotic training OF chill
| dren as was inaugurated by the founders
| of the society. The children of today. ht