Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-02-22
Washlngton's Birthday Exercises at
the Columbia Theatre.
PLEASANT FEATURES OF THE AFFAIR
Patriotic Songs and Speeches by
Young and Old.
MIR. DOLLIVER'S ADDRESS

1oGrth annual celeDrat1on by the National
Society of the Children of the American
Revolution in observance of Washington
birthday. Tiny little tots scarcely big
enough to wave the miniature representa-
tions of Old Glory placed in their hands,
were Joined by gray-haired patriarchs and
matrons in paying due respect to the day
and its manifold meaning. The incidents
and features of the program, patriotic
throughout We're marked by rare enthusi-
asm. the theater being filed with a mag
nifioent audience The delegates to the an
nual convention of the Children of the
American Revolution who did not take part
in the exercises were seated in a body in
the auditorium, their several societies being
designated by appropriate siiken banners.
The decorations were of immense American
flags. Stage, balcony, gallery and boxes
were massed in red white and blue. A flag
used by Maj. Gen. Nelson A. Miles at his
headquarters in Porto Rico, and another
from the battle ship Maine, were interest
ing bits in the general scheme of color.
Flag drills short addresses, vocal solos and
recitations made up program of interest
ing merit.
Mrs. Daniel Lothrop, national president of
the society, called to order and announced
the Inauguration of the commemorative
ceremonies. Mrs. Teunis S. Hamlin, ma
tional chaplain, offered up fervent prayer.
praying that God in His wisdom might i'm
bue in the children of today the patriotism
and love of country so predominant in their
ancestors. The John B. Henderson Drum
Corps, its members gorgeously arrayed in
zouave trappings, led a march by the Capt.
tai Society of this city. The children sa-
luted the flag and recited Our Flag of
Liberty which was written for the Ma
tional Society of the Children of the Ameri-
can Revolution by the national president
Mrs. Lothrop, and authorized to be used
as Il part of the salute to the flag by the
local societies.
Opening Address.
America was sung by the audience,
standing. Mrs. Lothrop then delivered a
very brief address of welcome. congratu- |
lating the children upon the loyal response |
to their invitation, shown by the large |
number of persons present. Mrs. Lothrop |
spoke generally of the organiza ton of the |
Society of the Children of the American !
Revolution. saying It was calculated to /
1nculcate in them love for country, re- |
spect for the flag and for their fOrefathers, |
which could be instilled in no other way. |
The foundation is laid upon the iljunctions |
of Washington, and his motto-"For God |
and country'-ls the watchword of the |
organization. The exercises anent Wash |
ington's birthday, she said, Were planned |
as an object lesson of patriotic training.
the older children of the society. Master |
Allen Lawrence Story of the New York |
city society said briefly that he was proud |
of the record of the Children of the Ameri- |
can Revolution during the past year. The |
success of the organization, he declared. |
was due to the noble efforts and work of |
Mrs. Lothrop. the national president.
Miss Anne Wright of the Trenton-Prince- |
ton Society of this city declared she took |
pride in being one of the children of the |
revolution. every one of whom cou!d trace !
Washington, some patriot of the colonial |
days. Similar remarks were made by |
Keren Whittier Culbertson of the Trenton |
Princeton Society of Washington, Eben |
Hill and Morgan Moore, both of the Lord |
Baltimore Society of Baltimore. Each of |
the children congratulated their president. |
About one hundred children filed on the |
stage carrying American ensigns of diff |
ferent sizes and singing Hail the Flag" |
an adaptation of Marching Through |
Georgia" Little Willie Morrison Alexander |
recited The Flag Goes By in cunning |
fashion.
Representative DOlliver Speaks.
Representative Jonathan P. Dolliver of |
Iowa was introduced by Mrs. Lothrop as |
the orator of the day. He declared there |
was deep philosophy IN the patriotic train
ing of children as inaugurated by the
founders of the society whose members ard |
friends he addressing. The children
of today must develop into the men and
women of the future, who will find a place |
at the rudder of the ship of state per-
hapS Then their early thoughts and IN
spration would tell. Mr.. Dolliver spoke |
of the value of patriotic organizations, such |
as the Sons and Daughters and Children
of revolutionary descent. Their societies
were not forms of aristocracy, as had been
Sneered and criticised. The aristocracy Of |
dollars is a fast disappearing influence in
the country. declared he, and the great |
families of the past We're small today as
the small families would be great. The |
true American aristocracy Is not of wealth,
of family of social position, but of patriot |
ism. sacrifice and service.
Mr. Dolliver said he saw with delight the |
growing respect for he flag, which was |
no longer to be desecrated by advertisers |
or others who would seek personal gain |
above country. While there is as yet no
law protecting the flag, the stars and |
stripes ara now guarded by a patriotic |
feeling on the subject. greatly due to the |
work of the Daughters of the American
Revolution
If may be allowed to become didactic
and advise you for a moment 1 would say
TO the children of today that when they
buy books secure the biographies of our
patriots, the stories of the early struggles
of our forefathers."
The representative paid a pretty tribute
to Washington and to the soldiers of the
American army in the war with Spain
Millions of children stood behind the vol
unteers, he said, saying We too, are
ready TO sacrifice our lives for our dear
Through all the hardships and sacrifices
of the past year. l sea- concluded Mr.. Dol
liver, the old flag, that insignia of liberty,
civilization and social progress floating
proudly on"
Miss Elizabeth F. Pierce, president of the
Red, White and Blue Society of this city,
sang The Star Spangled Banner" the au-
dience joining in the chorus.
The national emblem of the society, a
staff of colorS surmounted by an eagle
with spreading wings. which was presented
to the society by Mrs Lothrop, was re-
turned by Mrs NJ NJ. Neale state director
of Massachusetts. The emblem Is awarded
each year TO the custody of the state hav-
ing the largest number of local societies
For two years Ii was held by Connecticut
and was then taken by Massachusetts The
bay state will be the custodian again this
year, Mrs Lothrop announced having
total OF twenty local chapters.
Miss Ethel Sigsbee, daughter of CAPTAIN
Sigsbee of the navy, sang Good Old Clio
ry,'' a patriotic song by Gustave Kerker
Miss SiSsbee has an exceptionally sweet
and clear soprano voice, which she displays
most attractively.
a continental march and flag drill blythe
members of the Red, White and Blue and