The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1899-02-24
PATRIOTIS.SS
in EVIDENCE
WashingtOn's Birthday CeIebra-
ton at Headquarters.

Paper Read by Vice Chancellor
John r. Emory the Feature of
the Day-Many Prominent Jersey
men Present - Vice President
DIR. Stephen Pierson Presided
Rev. William X. Hall, d. D., of
Newburgh Speaker.
There is probably no more representa-
tive assemblage of Jerseymen brought
together during the year than the
members of the Washington Association
of New Jersey who meet at the Head
quarters" in Morristown upon the
anniversary of their patron saint Not
only are many Jerseymen in attendance
upon this annual event, but residents
of other States join in proper celebra-
tion of the day. Fully four hundred
members and guests were at the famous
old place Wednesday.
The visitors began to arrive at one
o'clock, and after registering in the
old building they went to Lafayette
Hall, where they were received by
officers and members of the Association
After an hour of social intercourse,
made pleasant by the music of an
orchestra located near the entrance, all
repaired to the large dining hall. After
Grace was said by Rev. DIR. Frazer, an ex-
celent dinner was served by Day. At
the conclusion of the luncheon the doors
were opened to Lafayette hall, where
all in attendance gathered.
A hearty welcome was extended to all
present by the president of the Associa-
tion, Jonathan w. Roberts, who has
filled that Office for the last twelve years
in most able manner. After the sing
ing of "Ame1ica" President Roberts
introduced DIR. Stephen Pierson, who is
vice president of the association. Dr.
Pierson accepted the honor of presiding
at the notable gathering and his remarks,
tinged with a fine sense of humor, called
forth repeated applause. He related how
President Roberts had suggested to him
that use should be made of the young
blood in the association, and the speaker
had concurred in this opinion. DR..
Pierson to his surprise was then asked to
preside at this years observance of
General Washington's birthday at head
quarters. He had replied that a great
many persons came to see President
Roberts, to which argument that gentle
man answered that he would be present.
Thus prevailed upon, DIR. Pierson had
finally consented, for he thought if any
man by long and faithful service had
right to ask favor it was Mr.. Roberts
"Hail Columbia was sung, and then
the Rev. William X. Hall, D. D., was
presented.
! DIR. Hall is president of the Board of
Trustees of the Washington Association
at Newburg, N Y. 1t was his first
visit to the Morristown headquarters,
and he expressed pleasure and satisfac-
ton with the general surroundings
Some persons were inclined to consider
the quarters occupied by General
Washington at Newburg and Morris
town as rivals in a sense. If the length
of Washington's stay signified his pref
erence for either place the favor must
fall to the headquarters on the Hudson,
for he had spent four years there. The
speaker said that during the past year
between two and three hundred
thousand persons had registered their
names in the Newburg house and that
every state in the union and nearly
every civilized nation in the world had
been represented. DIR. Hall said he
would certainly communicate to his
fellow trustees the fitting observance
of Washingtons Birthday at Norris
town.
Vice Chancellor John r. Emory read
paper on "The Farewell address; it's
Foreign Policy and it's Place in Ameri-
can History" The subject was most
thoroughly and ably treated and it's
author was frequently interrupted by
applause. A more clear or COM
prehensive explanation of General
Washington's last words to the nation
and of their effect from that time to
the present, could not be imagined.
Space forbids the publication here of
anything but extracts from the paper.
The events of the past year, when war
had shaken that part of the world from
the Antilles to the PHILIPPINES, have made
it necessary to again consult the text of
Washington's farewell address. Spain
had been replaced in her colonies by the
United States, which must rule these
new acquisitions politically. The fact
that this is contrary to our policy has
caused us to turn to the farewell address
for guidance. That document is as a
landmark, the nations shining beacon.
The message Will always be the master
piece of the great exemplar of our nation.
1t is the best monument of Washington.
Vice-Chancellor Emery thought on
that day and on that spot nothing could
appeal more strongly to those assembled
than the Farewell address. He proposed
to discuss the foreign policy of the mess
age and referred to the expansion of ter
ritory. We have taken these new posses
sions and their future is our responsibility.
That policy of peace and order which
America has ever pursued must always
have successful bearing or termination.
In preparing the message Washington
received the assistance of Madison and
Hamilton but this fact had no effect in
detracting from the Presidents credit.
No other ruler ever rested so entirely
upon his people in that or any other age
as did Washington. He was the highest
ideal of an American.
The foreign policy of this address did
not at first express a desire to free the