Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-02-22
BIRTHDAY OF WASHINGTON
How the Anniversary Has Been Celebrated
at National Capital
Nature of the Observance Prior to
Civil War - Some Notable
Local Events.

1t was seldom in the old days before the
time when the holiday was authorized by
law that there was not a suitable celebra-
ton on the part of military organizations
and societies Of Washington's birthday,
though 1t must be confessed there was
often an absence Of unity of action. From
the 4Os to the war, whatever might be
the condition of the weather, there were
birth night balls sure to take place. and
thus was the birth of the father of his
country annually oommemorated.
1t was always the intention of the volun-
teer military companies to honor the day
by a parade followed by a banquet
or collation.. but as the anniversary
occurs in the winter season this pro-
gram was often impracticable. With at
least one company-the Continentals of
South Washington uniformed as was the
immortal George-it was as natural to
parade and hold shooting match. which
usually took place near the base of the
monument, it was for the Washington
Light Infantry to parade the LIST of May,
the Grays September II or the Montgomery
Guards March II. Indeed on one occasion
about 1850, the Continentals in single file
waded through snow knee deep and car
ried out their program.
The great observance of the day in this
section was. however. ordinarily left to
Alexandria.
Often the soldier boys of Washington
and Georgetown participated in the Alex
andria exercises.
There were from time to time other than
military parades in honor of the day. The
Vine Lyceum, the Union Debatin Society
and other literary associations, whose GUS
tom it was to hold open meetings in the
day evening, listen to readings from
Washington's farewell address and an ora
ton on the life character and services of
the chief, interspersing the proceedings
n thn rarS,-
gram in which some of our oldest inhabit-
ants now take part, and perhaps few of
the latter may have been the actors in
such celebrations.
Feature of the Day.
One feature of the day was the annual
meeting of the Washington National Monu-
ment Society at which the officers and
managers We're elected, but the public at
large. while anxious for the success of the
project did not inconvenience itself by at
tending the meeting, being satisfied with
those in charge, and the affair was usually
a tame meeting. There was, however, one
meetng-that of 1s55-whch was somewhat
exciting.
At this period the monument had MOI
reached 175 feet in height, and among the
stones contributed was one from the Pope
of Rome. The acceptance of this stone had
stirred up the members of the American
or know nothing party, and they arranged
10 vote out the 0ia management
Accordingly, the morning of the 22d there
great a crowd in and around the of
flee in the basement of the city hall that
the officers were unable to proceed with
the business of the day. motion was
made that the society adjourn to meet
forthwith in the council chamber. which
was carried with cheers. and there was Il
mad rush fer this more commodious room,
which was soon crowded to suffocation. The
old board and It's friends remained in the
lower room, and the know nothing crowd
(each armed with the evidence of his right
to vote-a certificate that he had paid a
dollar toward the work., at once organized.
The first business was the reception of ii
resolution providing for amending the con-
stitution so as to require that member
should be a native born or naturalized citi-
zen to vote on any question. This was re-
ferred to committee to report on at the
next annual meeting. Then tellers were ap-
pointed and the voting commenced 1t con-
unued several hours, and over seven hun
dred and fifty votes were cast electing an
entirely new board The old board with
Gen. A. Henderson vice president, and
j. Carroll Brent secretary, protested against
this action, but the new board headed by
Vespasian Ellis, held Soon after for
want of funds, the work the monument
was suspended.
Placing n Statue.
A great celebration of the day was that
on which Mills equestrian statue of Wash
lngton, placed in the circle at the intersec-
ton of 23d and K streets and Pennsylvania
and New Hampshire avenues, was dedicat-
ed in 1850, all other programs of the day
being subservient to this. Much prepara-
ton had been made for this event-a pro-
cession of military, firemen, Masons and
others, in which were visiting organiza-
lions, had been planned. with imposing
ceremonies at the circle and for that
period the display of bunting was lavish
The Districts entire population was out,
apparently, and the city was crowded with
visitors
The morning was not pleasant one, and
some of the visiting organizations arriving
behind schedule time, there was not the
usual promptness displayed, and It was in
the afternoon when the line moved. There
were some organizations which entered the
line on the march, while others had dele
was Gen. T. S. Jesup, whose aids were Col
P. st. 6. Cooke. Majors II. c. Wayne, Don
Carlos Buell., W. A: Nichols and w. A.
of the army and Lieut. A s. Nicholson of
the Marine Corps. The assistant marshals
were Coils. James Munroe, L. Washington
and ]. T. Pickett, Messrs Glen Hill, j. D.
Hoover. Robert Ould. Alex. Cross, G. w.
Riggs, C. s. Wallach W. A. Darlington.
C. w. Boteler, J. A. Linton. Andrew Coyle
and w. B. Lee. Under Col. Selden, the
United States marshal for the District Col
G. w. Phillips. DR.. W. ]. Dahamel, s. L.
Lewis. VIM. Barker, Thos P. Morgan and
S. D. Castleman were the marshals for the
Supreme Court. United States judges and
other judicial officers
The military division was under the COM
mand of Col. VIM. Hickey Of the District
troops, and in 1t was battalion of ma ines
and a battery of artillery manned by ord
nance men gathered In a few hours at the
Armory now the fish commission buiIding)
and representing the regular service.
The visiting military were the New York
It'll Regiment, the City Guard and Law
Greys of Baltimore, the Read Rifles of
Chestertown. Md, the Alexandria Rifles
and the Charles County, Md. Volunteers
(mounted). The District military included
the Presidents Mounted Guard. the Wash
ington Light Infantry, National Guard
Montgomery Guards. Washington Rifles,
National Blues Union Guards of the
City. the Potomac Light Infantry and
Georgetown College Cadets. The Per-
severance, Metropolitan Hook and Lad
der and delegations of other fire COM
panies were in line with the Sun company
of Alexandria, Va. The Masonic fraternity
included the Grand and subordinate lodges
Of the District. Fredericksburg. Va. Lodge.
No. 4, and visiting Masons. Washington
Commandery. Knights Temp.ar, escorted
Baltimore Commandery, its guest.