Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-02-22
OLDEST INHABITANTS
They Celebrate the Memory of the
Father Of His Country.
Mr., R, ROSS PBRRY'S GRAFTON
Farewell Address Read by Gen.
John M. Wilson.
THE Blu SIN ESS MEETIN G

The anniversary of the birthday of the
Father of His Country was celebrated
today by the Association of the Oldest In
habitants of the District by public meet
ing. held at noon, in room 81, Corcoran
building following it's tine-honored rule.
Washingtor's Farewell Address was read
by Gen. John NJ Wilson, chief of engineers,
United States army, and Mr.. r. Ross
Perry, a member of the association, delv-
cred an address on the life and character
of Washington. The room in which the
meeting was held was crowded to it's fullest
extent. several ladies being in attendance.
Previous to the public meeting of the as
ISOLATION business meeting was held, Mr..
John Marbury, jr., the president of the as
ISOLATION, presiding.
President Marbury's Congratulations.
President Marbury, in calling the BUSH
ness meeting of the association to order
congratulated the members upon the large
number of them enabled to be present on
the anniversary of so glorious a day. He
remarked that almost all the United States
has accomplished has been due to the ex-
ample and teaching of George Washington.
Never before has the day been so generally
celebrated, he stated and that he thought
spoke well for the patriotism of the Amer
lean people. He regretted to announce that
the treasurer of the association. Mr.. Joseph
Prather, was absent because of Illness and
expressed the hope that Mr.. Prather would
soon be out again.
DR.. ]. T. Howard laid before the associa-
ton request from the New Hampshire
state librarian for copies of an address
read before the associa ton by Mr. j. B.
Blake in 1876, and of washington Sixty
Years Ago" by Mr.. Lambert Tree in 1880
Dr. Howard stated that he has informed
hot r. ,S-L,.. II
at the Hbrarys expense.
After James CroggCn, Fred. W. Pilling
Jr., Dennis O'Donoghue and Daniel Han
nan had been elected to membership. Pres
ldent Marbury presented to the associat ton
on behalf of Mr.. Andrew Barbour of
Georgetown a copy of 'Fenwick's Arfth-
NAUTICAL Essay" by George Fenwick. sur
veyor at one time of Washington county,
published by Cotton & Stewart of Alexan-
drla in 1910. The ancient volume was ac-
cepted with the thanks of the association
and placed in its collection.
resident Marbury, having called Mr.Wm.
II. Williams before him, presented him
with a gold-headed cane in Appropriate
words, Mr.. Williams having become en-
titled to the honor because of having COM
pleted fifty years of married life. Mr.. Will
Jams gratefully accepted the gift of the as
soeiatian, stating that he has nearly
reached his eighty-tirst year, his wife being
seventy-nine years of age
DR.. j. t. Howard read an original poem
n
many interesting "reminiscences of that once
famous stream of the District. The assoc
citation directed that copy of the poem be
placed among it's records.
Upon the suggestion of the chair the as
ISOLATION congratulated Mr.. W. w. Birth,
a member of the association, aged ninety
two years, upon his presence at the meet
ing.
The Public Meeting.
A recess was then taken until noon, when
President MGrbury introduced Gen. Wilson
in very complimentary terms. TO which the
general responded. saying words failed to
express his appreciation of the honor con-
ferred upon him in selecting him to read
the address of Washington Gen. Wilson
remarked that he is a native of the city
was his father. his grandfather having
been born in this section los years ago.
Gen. Wilson then read Washingtons
Farewell Address in a forcible and elo-
quent manner, and was promptly elected to
active membership in the association upon
its conclusion.
Mr.. Perry'S Grafton.
Mr.. r. Ross Perry was introduced as the
orator of the day in graceful terms by
President Marbury, and for an hour or
more held his auditors with a magnificent
and eloquent tribute to the life and charac-
ter of Washington. He was frequently in
terrupted by applause, and to him and to
General Wilson was rendered a unanimous
vote of thanks for their kindness
Mr.. Perry said, in part:
1T is an oppressive thought to ponder
over the millions upon millions of human
beings who have come and gone and left
no mark behind Greatness is a solitary
quality Its supreme essence is God, and
the wisdom CT man has said that He is one.
We do not expect many 10 share his quail
ltles even in very remote and derivative
" hon 49, I.
given in this wide world and in all these
ages for many great men. Nor has there
been the need of them. One Homer one
DANTE, one Shakespeare, and the realm of
IMAGINATION is exhausted One Alexander
the Great. and he signs for more worlds to
conquer. One Demosthenes, and the sp'en-
dor of human eloquence eliminates. one
Julius Caesar, and war has no more TO
Ieacn. one Martin Luther, and spiritual
freedom has come never to depart One
George Washington, and there has been a
supreme manifestation of human charac-
ter"
Mr.: Perry then graphically sketched
Washingtons career both military and
civil paying a high tribute to his eminence
IN Doth respects and showing the obstacles
that he had to overcome both upon the
fed and in the halls of legislation He
spoke especially of his presiding at the
constitutional convention in Philadelphia
ana OF his wise and firm administration as
president of the new republic He con-
cluded as follows:
Now. what do all these facts prove? Can
you account for them otherwise than by a
great man?
But an moi content with a great man:
want the greatest. With whom will YOU
! compare Washington? If we We're cOnsid
| erlnS an undcveloped man, a man whose
lie had manifested only one side of a
! character, only one pre-eminent ability
the soldierly one. for example-Alexa3der
the Great Hannibal Frederick the Great
Napoleon. might be considered greater than
ne in this respect only; if to soldierly abi-
lty you add stateoraft, then Caesar NAV