The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1900-12-20
Washington Celebrates.
CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUND
ING OF THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.

ing Event-Washiugton City Ablaze
With Briiiiancy and Enthusiasm
Pennsylvania Avenue the Seems OF
differing Pageant-MiIitary and
Civic Organizations Reviewed by
the President-BrilIiant Reception
at Cocoran Art GaIlery-North Caro-
lima Officially Represented.
From the Washington Post of Thurs
day we CLEAN the following extracts
from its excellent account Of the cen
tennial celebration which took place
in that city last week:
There have been notable social
functions in Washington and in Wash
ington there has been witnessed the
grandest Of celebrations, but neither
in Washington nor America has there
ever before assembled such slgnitl-
cant gathering of the Nations most
prominent officials as was there on
the 18th instant. 1t was simply
America boiled down. At no time
since the foundation Of our Govern
ment have so many of the head coun-
cellors Assem- bled and neither history
nor time parallel this celebration. 1t
partook of National event. The
President participated in the exer-
cises, Congress hOnOreI the day With
fitting programme, and the Govern
OrS and their. Stats OF q majority OF
the States were present to add, by
their presence, to the dignity and
HIGH character Of the observance.
In the White House there was Il not
able gathering in the forenoon, while
later in the day the historic hall OF
the House of Representatives wit
messed the assembling Of the distin-
! guished officials Of the Government.
For the populace, there was a Mill
| tary parade, in which the troops Of
| the United States and the civic sol
diery marched side by side, while at
| night Il brilliant reception in the Cor
coran Art Gallery brought the not
| able day to a glorious conclusion.
EXERCISES AT WHITE HOUSE.
The Marine Band, gorgeous in scar
| let coats and under the leadership of
Lieut.. Santelmann, was stationed in
the main corridor, and to its appro-
pirate music the President entered
the East Room. Immediately the
| guests already assembled arose and
remained standing until the Prrsi-
dent was seated. He was accom-
panied by his cabinet. with the cXcci>-
tioa If Attorney General Grigg-. vino
i, out If tie city, and by Chief justice,
| Fuller and the other members IT the
Supreme Court. Following the party
came Licut.-Gen Miles, in all the
glory of his gold-embroidcred uni
form and attended by his staff. There
were already in the room 4 number
Of Senators aud Representatives, in
Guiding Senators Perkins. Gallinger,
Clay. Turley, McLaurin, Hansbrough,
Pri.chard and Hanna, AMI RcpreScn-
tativeS Otey. Latimer, Jenkins, Bell,
Gamble, ketcham, Cannon. Mercer,
and Pearre. Speaker Henderson was
one Of the early arrivals.
An ample number of chairs were
provided for the distinguished party.
The president sat near the centre of
| the East wall, with Senator Hale, the
chairman Of the Joint committee; Mr..
John Joy Edison, the chairman of the
| citizens committee. and the orators
OF the day in close proximity. Be
hind him were the seats for the Cabi-
net and the Supreme Court Judges,
while at the North end of the room
were chairs for the Senators and Rep
re5entatives, the Governors OF States
| &c 10
ter included 4 large number of we'll
known citizens, while special invita-
tions had been sent to those whose
life has been closely linked with the
growth and development Of the Ma
tional Capital. For instance, not
able figure was that of Mr.. W. w.
Birth, who was born in Washington
ninety-three years ago and who,
despite his feeble condition, due to
old age, was an interested participant
in the proceedings. Ex-Mavor Emery
and eX-Mavor Bcrret, who ruled over
| Washington in the days of suffrage,
were prominent. Madison Cults,
another of the oldest inhabitants,
came attired in a full dress suit after
the fashion Of the older days.
The exercises consisted of speeches
by Col. Bingham, superintendent!
Public Buildings, on the history OF
the Executive Mansion during the
Century 1900 1900. Henry b. f. Mae.
Farland, President of the Board OF
the District Commissions. on the
Development of the District of Colum.
bla during the Century. and Gov
Stone, of Iowa, on the Deve' opmenl
OF the States during the Century
AS the last speaker took his seat the
Marine Band played My Country
lis OF Thee during which the
audience stood. and then the guest,
were invited to the state dininn-rnom
where luncheon was served. Tie
dining-room was decorated with flow
ers. While the crowd was maSsed il
the state dining-room the Prcsden,
took few especial guests with him
into the private dining-room. wher,
separate luncheon was served
\ girdle of humanity around the
Capitol building and multitude o
humanity that comfortably tested the
capacity within marked the closing
exercises OF yesterdays Centennial
Flags flying in the crisp Decembel
air. and the spirited step OF militar,
companies along the East front
marching in review before the Presi
dent and notable officials. formed th.
prologue of IN historic gathering il
the Hall of Representatives, wher,
eloquent men told to an audienc,
comprising the executive, Legislative
and Judicial branches of the Govern
ment. foreign diplomats and Govern
ors Of States the slories of the Repub
lie during century.
The remarkable programme. com
! memora,ing the establishment of tn,
present seat of government. was car
rled out without hitch and in tn,
impressive fashion which the dirnit,
of the occasion demanded. The exer,
cises. held during a joint session O
Senate and House. over which Sena