North Park union., 1900-12-21

Washington, Dec. 12.-with impos-
fne ceremonies the national capital TO
!, day celebrated the centennial anniver-
sary Of the founding of the sest Of the
federal government In Washington.
The exercises combined . great mill
tary parade. review BY the President
from the east front OF the capitol, and
orations In the hall Of the House.
where q brilliant audience was assem-
bled.
BY act Of Congress- the day wns made
q national holiday In the District OF
Columbia, the government departments
were closed, business WIS suspended
and the whole city gave itself over TO
celebrating the capitals natal day.
President Mckinley and the mem
bers of his Cabinet took a prominent
part In NIL the exercises. md with them
were the chief executives OF a large
number Of the states and territories OF
the Union, senators and representa-
tives, the judges Of the Supreme Court,
ambassadors and ministers from
abroad, heads of the army and navy,
and a great outpOuring of people.
Although Washington Is the scene OF
many celebrations, II IL seldom that
one has occurred here of greater bril-
liancy In its outdoor features. or OF
more impressiveness In Its ceremonial
exercises at the capitol and Mt the
White House.
Early In the day the President receiv-
ed the governors OF the states and terri
tories Mt the White House and the mod
el for new and enlarged White House
to commemorate to-day's exercises was
unveiled with suitable addresses.
At o'clock the President was es-
corted to the capitol where he review
ed parade headed by Lieutenant Cen
eral Miles and including the full mill
tary strength Of the capital regulars
and militia
The ceremonies Mt the capital began
at $50 y. M. and included addresses
by Senator's Daniel OF Virginia. and Nc.
Comas of Maryland. Representatives
Payne Of New York and Richardson of
Tennessee, and notable historic ora
tiOn by Senator Hoar Of Massa-
chusetts. A reception by the President
to the governors Of states at the Cor
coran Art Gallery tonight, closed the
festivities. At the imposing exercises
in the hall Of the House was gathered
as distinguished company as It's
walls had ever held. On the floor were
the President. members Of his Cabinet.
members of Senate and House, ambas-
sndors and ministers OF foreign coun-
tries In full court uniform, the chief
Justice and associate justices Of the Su-
preme Court In their judicial robes.
Lieutenant General Miles and many
distinguished officers of the army and
navy who had received the thanks OF
Congress. the governors OF more thnn
half the states In the Union and the
commissioners OF the District OF Column
bin, while the galleries We're resplend-
ent with the wealth and culture Of the
national capital. As spectacle moth
ing could have been more inspiring or
impressive.
Never before In the history of the
House has the staid old Legislative hail.
with It's severe gold and white CALLER
les and it's plain rostrum. been deco
rated to anything like the extent II was
to-day. JackIes from government,
yacht Ind literally swnthed the hall In
faEs. The fronts OF the galleries were
hidden by them. the brass railings
TONED with them. and the speaker
marble rostrum was covered with
them.
Not more than half were American
flags, and this fact was nj first rather
color scheme dawned upon the specta
tors. From the galleries every 0fhe,
flag WINS that OF foreign country
The royal flag OF England was drapetl
from the reserved gallery on the enst
next the executive gallery. and the I'm
perial, black. white and red of Ger
many on the right. The crested flag
OF Austro- Hungary. the tri-color OF
France. the royal ensign OF Russia. the
green. white and red of Mexico. and
even the red and yellow of Spain Were
there.
But below. circlIng the hall and wall
ing In the distinguished assemblage
We're the glorious bun and blue under