Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-07-04
Patriotism the Ruling Topic at
Annual Meeting Today.
ADDRESS BY MR.. JEAN F. P. GARENNES
Portrait of the Late w. w. Cor
coran Unveiled.
THE OFFICERS REFLECTED

for more than thirty years. the Association
of the Oldest Inhabitants Of the District of
Columbia celebrated Independence day with
meeting in their room in the Corcoran
building. at which patriotism was the rul-
Ing theme. The associations quarters were
decorated with flags and bunting, and
adjoining the walls was a series of four
placards, on which were printed these
aphorisms emanating from Mr.. William
Boron, one of the members: Our country
a united District of Columbia in 1900"
THE flags on the public schools tend to
dignity our children" Our sister republic
in the hands of President Loubet will guide
dear France to the right, you bet" THE
Philippines-the eastern repository of Amer
lean ingenuity"
The meeting this year was marked by the
unwilling of a portrait of William w. Cor
coran, which will hereafter hang upon the
wall of the association room The portrait
was made upon the order Of the association
in accordance with resolution passed
some time ago. The Grafton of the day was
delivered by Jean F. P. Garennes. The
directory of officers was reelected.
President John Marbury. jr., called the
business meeting to order shortly after 10
o'clock. calling for the routine business.
Mr.. A. K. Williams was elected to mem
bership. Photographs of Daniel Genau and
Jonathan D. Catheil members Of the assoc
in the album. Mr.. Cathell was born in
Delaware in 1917; Mr.. Genau in Prussia in
1926.
A communication from Dr. ]. T. Howard,
the corresponding secretary, was read. Dr.
Howard was called from the city on ac-
count of the death of grandchild. The
association adopted resolutions of SYM
pathy.
Tributes to w. w. Corcoran.
Mr. ]. A. wineberger, chairman of the
committee in charge of securing portrait
of Mr.. Corcoran, made official report
and presented the picture, which is said to
be a striking likeness of the philanthropist
in his later years. The portrait was done
by Miss Alice Foster and is an excellent
piece of crayon work. Mr.. Wineberger
gave some thing of the history of the Cor
coran family, and spoke of the esteem in
which w. w. Corcoran was held by the
older members of the association
President Marbury also made a few re-
marks, paying high tribute to the subject
of the portrait. Corcoran, he said was
one of Washingtons greatest benefactors-
He began life as poor man, but amassed
a considerable fortune, a large share of
which he contributed to charity in his de-
Ginning days. The Louise Home is mon
ument to his philanthropy.
Mr. Marbury next announced that on ac-
count of the meetings of the association
being held at night he would have to retire
from the presidency and not stand for re-
election. He spoke of his very pleasant
association with the old inhabitants, and
said he resigned reluctantly. The associa-
ton would not accept the resignation and,
in order to avoid all difficulty, it was de-
cided TO change the time of meeting to 40
o'clock in the afternoon. The officers were
then reelected. follows:
John Marbury, jr., president; John w.
Clark, William Boron. F. S. Kern, N. D.
Larner. F. w. Brandenburg, Joseph Pra-
Their, Jacob Veihmeyer, b. c. Wright. G. II.
Langley, P. NJ. Dubant. A H Raglan, Philip
May, Rudolph Eiichhorn and Solomon J.
Fague, vice presidents; Joseph Prather,
treasurer; Or. J. T. Howard. corresponding
secretary; B. w. Reiss, recording secre-
tary; j. A. Wineberger. marshal and chair
man of committee on nominations.
The Patriotic Features.
With the conclusion of the business the
patriotic features of the program were
taken up. The Declaration of independence
was read by Mr. B. c. Wright, who pre-
scented the immortal document forcibly and
effectively and included in his reading the
names of the signers.
The orator of the day, Mr.. Jean F. P.
Garennes, was then introduced Mr.. Garen-
mes is a young French American, a fervid
and eloquent speaker. His patriotic Senti-
ments were loudly applauded by his gray
haired auditors. He said Independence Day
is pregnant with solemn grandeur and food
for reflection 1t is a day in the American
calendar that will stand forever. The
ocean of years may whirl it's waves against
it, but all in vain; it mocks at the advances
of time
Mr.. Garennes spoke of the events Of the
war of the revolution. The struggle was
fierce, he said. and the contest seemed I'M
equal. but justice triumphed. The forces of
justice alone may ever hope for final vic
tory. Injustice may succeed for time, but
it never vanquish. The patriots of the
revolution were true men. They We're true
to themselves. and it naturally followed
they could not be false to their fellow man.
They were true to their country. Its life
was their life. Their hearts leaped forth
willing sacrifice for its welfare. They We're
true unto death. True to the principles that
animated their convictions. No promise
could win them from their purpose, no bride
could entice them from their efforts, no
threat could intimidate, no influence affect
them. This fidelity was evidence of the
worthiness of the principles under which
they fought.
Principle measures the man, and not man
the principle" continued the speaker.
What if Washington and Lafayette had
failed in their efforts to drive the foreign
oppressors from these shores? Would they
have been less deserving of respect and ad
miration. less worthy of the highest com
mendation? Would their aspirations and
purposes been less noble? No. a thousand
times no. Inevitably the principle would
have survived. Other patriots would have
grown up to carry 1t on to final success.
Naught could have put an effective stop to
the movement.
Revolutionary Period.
Mr.. Garennes next spoke Of the trials and
tribulations of the revolutionary soldiers
The patriots. however knew how to over
come obstacles. Nothing could have put
an end to their undertaking but death or
success. They had set forth on a holy
crusade and struggled through to a de-
nouement of success. for liberty and defeat
of tyranny.
mo product Is yielded without price,"
said Mr.. Garennes. $50 il was that the soil
was saturated in blood before liberty could
take root. But success came. The chains
were severed, the shackles broken and the
land was free. The goal was reached, the
heights were won and the pinnacle of sue
cess attained. And from the blessed sum
nit that had been reached the thirteen
maiden states drew their first breath of
freedom. Leaping upon the wings of &C.
stasy, they scared to the very armament
and pluckedt therefrom each star with
which to bejewel the banner of the united
nation"
With the success Of the revolution, he
said. came the founding of the republic
upon the firm principle Of public education
based upon faith and morals. Mr.. Garennes
spoke Of the aid France gave the United