Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-02-22
dinner to the Washington centennial COM

The purpose of the centennial committee
as outlined to me some months ago, met
with my hearty approval, and 1 am glad to
learn that good progress has been made
Please convey to the members of your or
ganization and to your distinguished guests
my congratulations and best wishes.
Very sincerely yours,
WILLIAM MCKINLEY.
Mr.. John Joy Edison, President of the
Washington Board Of Traie, Washington,
D. c.
Mr.. Edson's Greutine.
Mr.. Edison inauguraaed. thu series of pa
traotic and eloquent after dtnner speeches,
and welcomed the committee, in the fol-
lowing words:
''It is pleasant duty. one behalf of the
board Of trade and of the .cirazens of Wash
ington, to greet the COMMITTEE called by
resolutions passed by Congress to arrange
for the celebration of the one hundredth
anniversary Of the establishment of the gen.
eral government in the District of Column
bia, and to welcome them torthis city
1.-The occasion suggests that an account
be given of the growth and marvellous i'm
prOvements Of the national capital, from
cornfields and mud in the year 1900, 10
brick, marble and paved streets, in the one
hundred years now closing. These will be
briefly referred to by other speakers. 1t is
not simply the place of residence of nearly
three hundred Thousand people, but vastly
more important-it is the capital of the re-
public. In it every citizen of our country,
however humble or great, or, remote, has a
positive interest.
For one hundred years it has BEEN and
until the end of time. We believe, it will
be. the home of the government of the peo-
pie of the United States. watchful care
for its welfare and just pride in its becom-
ing a model national capital and city are
closely allied, and in fact are part of
the patriotism which binds us together and
makes us a great nation.
1T is for the purpose of rejoicing over
the patriotic interest in the past and of in
creasing it in the future, that this celebra-
ton was planned. 1t will not be condemned
by wise men as mere show and sentiment.
AL. things are not measured by the unit of
values. Patriotism is a sentiment: devo-
ton to the public welfare is sentimental.
The glorirication of great men and great
deeds of the past are matters of sentiment,
but they all lift us above our personal affairs
and help us to do something for the public
good, worthy of approval and remembrance.
We believe that whatever recalls to our
minds what was well done and beneficial
to the country, what was wise and patriot
ic, stimulates the highest order of public
spirit and patriotism in us and our descen-
dants.
Wise Expenditure.
we must believe. too, that whatever is
done in properly ornamenting the national
capital is as wisely done and as much for
the practical benefit of the country as work
on rivers and harbors or on any public i'm
prOvement. Behind all commerce and pub
lie Improvement and behind the govern
ment itself are the intelligence and united
public spirit of the citizens. Without these
all manner of public improvements and the
machinery of the government are useless
National pride and the patriotism of the
people are the life of the republic.
I'VE believe that the large amounts ex-
pended on the Capitol and Library build
ings, and on the grounds about them. were
well spent. For mere immediate utility. in
~in lie,
walks and fences would have served as
well. But these classic and stately build
ings are always object lessons. Upon the
thousands of constant visitors to the cap
ital annually. from all parts of the country
and the world. they make direct uniform
impression of the power and dignity of the
government
we desire that this city shall be ut
setting for the great Capitol. and hat
sGualor and meanness shall not surround
and mar its wonderful grandeur. We be
lieve that enduring public bulldinIs, wide
streets and ornamented parks, Tftn stat
uary and fountains. handsome nld ccnve-
nient railway stations and TERMINALS. at
tractive approaches to the city IN all sides,
south as well as north. are M vcstibules TO
the nations capital. are the best practical
investment of public funds. They inspire
in the minds and hearts of the large and
increasing numbers who visit the capital
national spirit and admiration for their
country. for the liberty and blessings they
enjoy. unequaled by any other nation.
I'VE ask you also to believe that the cit
liens of Washington, fortunate In their res
idence. are as patriotic as any. They are
citizens of the republic. without however,
the usual ties of state, county and town.
Their local interest and pride are conferred
in the capital. and TO the fall extent of their
ability they earnestly desire to aid the cit1-
zens of the country and the authorities In
making Washington city worthy in every
respect to be the capital of the richest. the
most intelligent and powerful, the freest
al NM M n world
The Tonst of the Evening.
Mr.. Edison announced in conclusion that
the toast Of the evening would be to the
centennial celebration of the anniversary
of the removal of the seat of the national
government from Philadelphia to Washing
ton. and to this toast the speakers would
address themselves from any point of view
they saw fit. The toastmaster first called
upon Mr.. C. W. Needham. dean of the Law
School of the Columbian University of this
city, to speak for the Washington board Of
trade.
Mr.. Needham declared it was an honor to
speak -or the board of trade and to such
distinguished company on subject OF such
great interest. Washington he declared,
is the federal city the national city, and
was SO referred to by Washington and all
of the conventions of the early days prior
to the establishment of the national govern
ment in this city. The early Congresses had
met in eight cities, in four different states.
1t was thought well, however, that the ma
tional government, with its head and off,
cial family, should have home of its own.
and 1t was then planned to have national
city, to be under the control of the ma
tional government. Washington was the
outgrowth Of this determination of the
statesmen
The City of the Nation.
Washington" continued Mr.. Needham,
''is, indeed. the city of the nation. 1t is the