The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-20
LEXINGTON DAY OBSERVED
Sons of the American Revolution
Hold a Celebration.

The Grafton Delivered by Henry T.
Davis - The Dissertation of the
Flag DIscussed-The Influence al
Thought in Our National History.
The Sons of the American Revolution
celebrated Lexington Day last night al
Rauschers. A regular business meeting
of the organization preceded the special
exercises prepared for the occasion by the
Committee on Arrangements. The as
semblage was called to order at $40 by
President Noble ID. Larner and after the
reading of the minutes of the last meeting
by Secretary Wallace Donald Mclean the
report of the Flag Committee was called
for Gen. Thomas NJ. Vincent. L. S.
A. the chairman, reported that the COM
mittee had communicated with the Gov
ernors OF all the States and the mayors
OF many cities regarding the observation
of June II as Flag Day From many of
the correspondents replies had been re-
ceived favorable to the project announced
General Vincent also reported that after
due consideration his associates had de-
cided that it would be greatly to the ad-
vantage of the organization to present to
each of the school children of the District
a small flag. thus reminding them of the
anniversary it is proposed to celebrate.
The report was adopted.
President Larner then announced that
had been intended to celebrate the
18th of April by placing commemorative
tablet on the tomb of George Gin
ton. a Lexington patriot, in Congress
sionaI Cemetery. This was to be done in
conjunction with the New York State
Chapter. The New York representatives
were unable to take part in the affair at
this season of the year, however and the
exercises were postponed until next De
cemher, when a much more elaboratl
programme will be arranged. Senator De-
pew and Vice President Roosevelt having
promised to deliver addresses. A propo-
sition was then made by DIR. ]. w. Bayne
to urge upon Congress and the Commits
sioners the necessity for more stringent
regulations regarding the desecration of
the flag.
During the debate that followed Gen.
John c. Breckinridge, L. 5. a. stated
that most of the States in the Union had
made it a serious offence to use the ma
tionaI emblem for g, unworthy purposes.
Many of the members however, did not
feel that the matter had been before the
orga nization for a length of time sutf-
cient to allow the consideration that such
an important subject demanded. and it
was moved that the subject be set aside
for future discussion and thorough CON
sideration.
At the conclusion of the regular order
of business President Larner introduced
Henry E. Davis, the orator OF the even
ing. Mr. Davis said that in reading and
re-reading the history of the Revolu-
q urFNNHa
portancc of the task the small colony had
taken upon itself
The expression that we stand on the
brink of new century has already be
come hackneyed, the speaker said.
Looking al the great achievements in
art. science, literature and mechanics
that have revolutioniZed the world during
the last fifty years we wonder what has
caused it all To my mind We find that
al the bottom of this great Improvement
Is thOisght-continuous thought. But what
)f that period when the Colonies Of Amer
ca had Just freed themselves from mon
archial rule. when the men of genius in
Europe were trying to find cause for
.he political revolution of feeling: when
: : rance was IN the throes of mighty
what was the thing that ruled
men and nations2 Action.
Lying deeper than thought greater
than the action itself, was the feeling tha;
spurred men to do deeds that made the
world -reyerberate with their fame, As
Tennyson SO eloquently expresses il: The
heart was touched Thus it was at Lex
ngton, at Concord Bridge. When Paul
Revere made that momentous journey
through the country from Boston to Con-
,ord ana Lexington, the fate of a ma
1on rode that night Did the far
ners consider the right or wrong of the
proposition made to them and consult in
heir calmer moments as to the way in
Thich they should act. No! There was
umc thing deeper and more powerful than
hogghi- Action inspired the patriots that
he lnr ff.f A.
1t was that inexplicable thing that
ouches the heart, that reaches the soul
md impels men, for the time being TO
orget everything and march to a common
iefence"
In brilliant peroration the speaker
mentioned the fact that within a stones
hrow Of the place in which he was speak
ng. In the tower Of the Unitarian Church
'orner OF Fourteenth and l. Streets. rested
bell which had been first hung in the
'uilding in which is now held the sessions
II the Police Court
Many years ago il was the home of
ne nitarian congregation of the Dis
Tict. This bell, when nodded. was named
'aul Revere, in honor of the patriot of
.eAlnstoh When John Brown was exc
.uted this bell was the only one i'm The
south that was sounded. Ali through m.
lay the solemn tones echoed Throughout
ne city II seemed a fitting sequence TO
ne words OF Brown-' Prepare for ac-
ION. Hanging on the dividing line ne
Wcen the North and the South, the Pam
tevere bell sounded a note of warning .
At the conclusion of Mr. Davis speech
platette including Jacob Scbarf
Teorge Scharf William A Domer. ana
-olis Weaver sang several selections
; hich were warmly applauded J. p
earnest then proposed that Il vote of
hanks be given Mr.. Davis and the mem
'ers Of the quartette The motion was
unanimously adopted. after which the
members of the order and their guests
'eured 20 the supper room where a buffet
unch was served. Among those present
William L. Marsh. L.. ]. Taber John
'on, Philip +. Laner. Col. H. R. Mexican
commander G. w. Baird L. S. n DIR |
y. J. Woodman, DIR. Williams DonnaIIv
''aJor Frederick {. Bryan, Geore. q /
Way ynard. >. l. Besselievre JoIfn a.
ireeuawalt. John Il. Brownlow. Tbeodore |
Cole. Edwin A Hill. Col G. g Enif
IN. William ID. Window. Volnev Eaton
Iohn Speed Smith. John D. Riddis Iaf, /
rrson II. Jennings. Fred ID. Owen. WI !
lam >. Brougn.on, Leon L. French /
rank &. Butts, Paul Brockett. sherman
I. Cralger William d. Baldwin William I
!. Ashmead. Or. Edward A Ballock. Or |
iustavus r. Brown. Prof Frank "
'iarke, Sardis J.. Crissey. David r. Day
y. Henry A. Robbins Capt. Charles ii |
'dmpbell. William B. Thompson. Lewis |
b hauro. MILO {. Summers. John Sher |
nan, Selden NJ. Ely. William H. Pearce |
'roi- Charles +. Monroe Edward a |
ioSeley, Henry Gannett, and Capt. n. & |
'pBois, L. 5. A.