Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-07-04
Exercises Underthe Auspices of Local
Societies.
REVOLUTIONARY OIRES DESCENDANTS
Addresses by Messrs. HenryE. Davis
and R. Ross Perry.
DISTINGUISHED AUDITORS

The celebration of the Fourth of July at
the Columbia Thaater today was a notable
event. In the past the joint celebration of
the day by the Sons of the Revolution and
the Sons of the American Revolution of the
District of Columbia has been held at the
base of the Washington monument, where
considerable discomfort has been usually
experienced as result of out-of-door
meeting during the hottest part of the day.
For this reason the Columbia Theater was
chosen for the purpose, and the general
satisfaction expressed over the change is
likely to cause these patriotic meetings to
be held indoors in the future.
The decoration of the theater for the oc-
casion was confined to the draping of a
n.s mmoth American flag over the stage.
where there was a large assemblage of
members of the societies having charge of
the ceremonies. The theater was filled
with a distinguished audience. The French
minister. Mr.. Cambon. accompanied by
members of his legation, occupied a box on
the right of the stage, and during the cere
monies he received marked attention from
the speakers and audience as the repre-
sentative of that sister republic which had
helped make the day possible.
Those on the Stage.
Among those on the stage were Col.
Green Clay Goodloe, president of the Sons
of the Revolution, who acted as presiding
officer of the meeting; Gen. Thomas NJ.
Vincent. president of the Sons of the Amer
lean Revolution; Commissioner John B.
Wight, Rev. DR.. Rankin, Admiral Greer,
Chas. E Grice, Surgeon General Wyman,
John Paul Earnest, W. j. Rhees, VIM. A.
De Caindry, Col Blount, Barry Bulkley,
James A Sample, A. K. Paris. VIM. H.
Bayly, W. H. Pearee. Gen. ]. c. Breckin-
ridge, Bernard r. Green. r. Ross Perry,
W. S. Shallenberger. Rev. DR.. Thomas S.
Childs. Henry E. Davis, John B. Larner,
]. B. Thompson, Louis ]. Davis and Cha
pin Brown
The Marine Band rendered music during
the ceremonies. which were opened with an
invocation by Rev Thomas S. Childs, chap
lain of the Sons of the American Revolu-
ton. The "Star-Spangled Banner was
played by the band. and Mr.. Henry E. Da-
Wis delivered an Grafton appropriate TO the
day.
Mr.. Davis Address.
The American people, he said. today pre-
sert to the view of the world the full fruition
Of the best seed planted by the revolution
airy fathers. He spoke of the atmosphere
Of American freedom and the influence of
the English law in giving liberty to the
people. The American people were no
longer children, but, as men, have the duty
thrust upon them to extend this law and
its accompanying liberty. Wherever En-
SIlSh law and American institutions have
gone men stand upright and are free men,
The very spirit of these institutions
makes slavery and tyranny impossible and
the American people are now charged with
the Srandest duty they have met since
their national life began, this duty being to
carry the liberties of the flag to other peo-
pies. and this duty they share with men of
their own blood. He had no fault to find
with hyphenated Americans. but when it
comes to rallying around the flag there
should be only Americans.
Mr. Davis paid a delicate compliment
TO the French minister. He referred to
the representative of the eldest child in
the family of republics as being present
and. Mr.. CambOn bowling his acknowledge
ment, all the members of the two patriotic
societies on the stage arose and returned
the salute Of the representative Of France
Mr. Davis then referred to the attitude
OF France today in giving justice to her
prisoner, lately brought from Devils Island
Tor trial in court, and said the French ma
uon Is today giving the world an example
OF supreme moral courage
Address by Mr.. Perry
After another musical number Mr. Barry
Bulkiey read the Declaration of Independ-
ence in an impressive style. Mr.. R. Ross
Perry. the second orator of the day, spoke
Of the new American OF 1898 and of the
events that had taken place in the history
of his ancestry to make him the man he is
He had been developed by 150 years of a
life that had been filled with needs for
courage in lighting his way in a new world
Nr- Perry spoke of the friendly attitude of
France and of her generous assistance rem
dered when help was needed and expressed
the hope that the blood of the two nations
would never be spilled together unless as
allies.
The "Narseilaise" was played by the Ma
zine Band. after which benediction was pro-
n1unced by Rev. DR.. John H. Elliott.