The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-07-05
KR. MAcFARLAND's GRAFTON.
The Celebration of the Sons of the
American Revolution.

TIE Celebration of the Sons of the
American Revolution.
Independence Day was formally observed
yesterday by the Sons Of the American
Revolution at the Columbia Theatre In q
programme Of oratory and music. Gen.
Thomas n. Vincent presided, music for
the occasion was furnished by the Marine
Band. and addresses were delivered by
Commissioner Macfarland and Rev. DR.. d.
J. Stafford.
Seated about General Vincent upon the
stage were the two orators mentioned,
William Van Zandt Cox, Paul Brockett.
William ]. Rhees, L. W. Chappell, L. l..
French. H. P. R. Holt, Wallace Donald
Mclean, Henry d. Mclean, H. W. Sam
son. William A. DeCaindry, F. H. Par
cons, F. E. Grice. John r. Graham, VIII
liam H. Pearce, Rev. Wallace Radcliffe,
and Rev. Thomas S. Childs.
The exercises were opened by the Marine
Band playing The Stars and Stripes For
ever" after which the Rev DR.. Wallace
Radcliffe pronounced the invocation. Leon
L. French then came upon the stage,
preceded by fifer and drummer playing
Yankee Doodle" A beautiful silk flag
was brought out and planted near the
centre of the stage, which Mr. French
presented with fitting address to the
society. Jasper Dean McFall sang THE
Sword OF Bunker Hill" General Vincent
read an address eulogizing the part played
by France In the American Revolution,
and at its close called upon the band TO
play THE Marseillaise." Paul Brocke;t
read the Declaration Of Independence.
The Rev. DR.. Stafford addressed the audi
ence. He said that there is an underlying
unity in all things, no matter how COM
pick they may appear at superficial
glance. A book containing thousand IL
Illustrations and as many discussions had
In 1t the underlying thought which the
author sought to impress. Under all the
activities of American life was the great
principle of the equality of man. Though
the right of man TO life. liberty, and the
pursuit of happiness antedated all modern
government, il found no adequate express
sion until the American Declaration OF In
dependence. This inaliensble right OF II an
was NOT recognized in the laws of Nero or
the code of Lycurgus. Cicero never express
ed the thought as il is found 10 the Dec ra-
ton of independence. In the hundred
years of progress and evolution, the m nd
of man has been able to add nothing to the
force of the simple statement of the Faith
ers of the Republic. The greatness of a
nation depended not upon its area ard
population. but upon its recognition OF the
principles Of justice.
The band then played THE Voice of
Our Nation by Santelmann.
Commissioner Mcfarland then delivered
the Grafton. In part, he said:
The Declaration of Independence is as
much alive today as when II was born
one hundred and twenty-four years ago.
1t Is immortal. Its vitality is attested by
the fresh interest in il during the past
year when II has been more discussed in
Congress and in the press than in any
former year Although 1t is the Bible
OF our politics, enshrined in the hearts of
our people and beyond criticism, beyond
eulogy. it is, like the Bible OF our religion,
subject to Interpretation. No political
sect can claim II as exclusively its own,
ali political sects may claim an equal title
to it. AS on this Independence Day we
rise to an independence Of political par
ties, rise from being Republicans or Demo-
Gratis 10 be Americans, SO We may assert
amid our conflicting opinions about the
Declaration Of Independence. that 1t is
our common possession, our common
source Of inspiration. No individual or
set OF individuals can monopolize either
the immortal Declaration or the American
flag, but there is enough OF both for us all
Expansionist or anti-expansionist, strict
constructionist or liberal constructionist,
whatever we may be called, We are one in
our admiration and veneration for this great
paper issued by q Congress unexcelled,
as Lord Chatham said. in solidity Of rea-
soning, force of sagacity. and wisdom of