Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-07-04
OBSERVE ANNUAL CUSTOM
OLDEST INHABIT4NTs9 CELEBRATE
THE NATIONS ANNIVERSARY.
Reading of Declaration of Independ-
ence and Patriotic Address-The
Officers Reelected.

The anniversary of the nations birthday
is annually celebrated by the Association
of the Oldest Inhabitants in a public meet
ing, at which the Declaration of 1ndepend-
ence is read and a patriotic address is
made by some citizen specially invited to
do so. Today the association observed the
custom, holding its meeting at the Cor
coran building, Mr.. Smith Thompson. one
of the Oldest members of the organization,
reading Jeffersons famous paper, while Mr..
Henry f. Davis, a well-known member of
the District bar, delivered the address.
Immediately after Mr.. Davis address the
active and honorary members of the assoc
citation proceeded to the treasury steps for
the purpose of being photographed. Then
they returned to the rooms OF the assocla-
ton in the Corcoran building, where they
and their guests enjoyed collation.
business Meeting.
A business meeting Of the association was
first held, Mr.. John Marbury. jr., the pres
ident Of the organization, presiding. AT
this preliminary meeting, which was de-
voted to the transaction of routine bust
ness, the following Were elected as mem
bers of the association: John Johnson,
Franklin I: Howe and VIM. 3; BTittain.
DIR. J. I. Howard announced the death OF
Peter +. Bacon, A. j. Schwartz and Joseph
Williamson, members of the association,
since its meeting on Washingtons birthday:
After this announcement, the annual
election of officers of the association fol-
lowed, and upon the motion of MIR. j. Mad
ison Cults the incumbents OF the otnces
were unanimously reelected, as follows:
President, John Marbury, jr.; vice pres1-
dents. John w. Clark, VIM. Boron, n. d.
Larner, F. W. Brandenburg, jacob Vein
meyer. A. H. Raglan. b. c. Wright. q. II.
Langley, P. M Dubant. Rudolph Elcnhorn
and s J. Fague; recording secretary. Benz.
RaiSS. CORRESPONDING secretary, joseph
7. Howard, MD; treasurer, Joseph FRA
Their; marshal, ]. A. Wineberger.
The vacancies ocasioned by death In the
Office of vice president during the year
were filled by the election of S. Thos.
Brown and Fredk. l.. Moore.
DR.. J. W. Clarke presented TO the asso-
citation fac smile of the original Deciara-
ton of Independence, which had been IN
his possession for fifty years and vote of
thanks was rendered DR.. Clarke for his
gift.
Mr.. Max Lansburgh, on behalf of Mr..
w. b. Williams. presented to the assocta-
ton a fine marble bust of George WashlnS-
ton, together with a stand therefor. and
Mr.. Williams was rendered a vote OF THANKS
for his donation.
This concluded the business of the asso-
citation, and after America had been sung
President Marbury introduced Mr. Smith
Thompson, who read the DaSlaraion OF In
WITHIN twelve monthsef being eighty years
of age Mr.. Thompsoa ,reaA the immortal
paper in fine voice All .mhnner, and was
rewarded with enthusiastic applause.
Address by MIR. Davis.
Mr. Marbury next Introduced Mr. Henry
Z. Davis. who took as his subject the Dec
laration of Independence. Mr.. Davis re-
ferred to the famous document as the chart
by which the people Of this, country must
depend to ascertain where they are Il ID
from where they came He reviewed the
political lifetime of thesnatien, holding that
through the Declaration OF Independence
this country and the world have been leay-
ened with the heaven of political liberty.
The Declaration of Independence, declared
Mr.. Davis. was an act, not political or
philosophical essay. and the only result
possible was war.
Too much Importance, said Mr.. Davis.
has been given the mere words OF the In
mortal paper Jefferson wrote, and he point
ed out that while that paper declares that
all men are equal and entitled to liberty.
yet tine man who drew 1t was himself the
owner OF human property. The heart OF
the Declaration OF independence, remarked
Mr. Davis. Is in the act which gave birth
to 1t. and not in Its phrases. The act WAS
protest against tyrannical king and his
more tyrannical ministers, and a warning
that. other means falling. resort would be
had by the people of the American colonies
to the sword.
The advancement and progress Of this