Evening star., 1901-02-22
PATRIOTS TRIBUTE
Local Societies Revere the Memory
Of Washington.
BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATED
Address by Rev. D. J. Stafford Be-
fore Sons of Revolution.
PROGRAM OF EXERCISES

To the accompaniment Of patriotic melo-
dies, and with the aid of accomplished ora
tors. the anniversary Of the birth OF the i'm
mortal Washington was appropriately cele-
brated today by the Sons Of the Revolution
In the District of Columbia. The exercises
were held in the New National Theater. and
began at 1915 o'clock. An audience that
was large in numbers. close in attention, en-
thusfastic in appreciation. and which IN
cluded many prominent officials and citizens
gathered i'll response to the invitation ex-
tended by the organization.
Colonel Archibald Hopkins, president of
the Sons of the Revolution. officiated as
presiding officer; Rev. Father D. J. Stafford
delivered an address: Mr.. Barry Bulkley re-
peated the grafton Of General Henry Lee
on the death of Washington; Rev John H.
Elliott. chaplain Of the Sons of the Rev
olution in the District of Columbia. pro-
nounced both the invocation and the bene-
dictfon, and the band of the United States
Marine Corps. with Director William H.
Santelmann, welding the baton. supplied
the music. which was in accordance with
a specially arranged program. The cele-
bration was held by direction of the board
of management of the organization. the ar
rangements being most credltably looked al
ter by a committee consisting of Charles
H. Campbell chairman; Barry Bulkley, sec
retary; Mark B. Hatch. Dr. H. l.. E. john
son. Benjamin Miller. r. w. Bulkley. A.
F. Marsh. H. W. Reed and B. B. Wilson.
The members Of the Marine Band. in their
brilliant full dress attire. constituted a mt
ting background for the speakers and the
officials Of the day. From overhead were
suspended the national colors and the nag
of the Sons Of the Revolution Palms and
cut flowers were used generously in the
decorations.
Those who occupied seats on the stage.
In addition to the presiding officer and
the speakers, were Surgeon General Wy
man Mr.. A. K. Paris, Col Green Clay
Goodloe and Mr.. Thomas Blagden.
In the boxes were Mr.. Henry B. F. Mac
farland, president of the board of Commits
sioners of the District of Columbia. and
party, Mrs. Goodloe. Mr.. r. H. Thayer and
party Messrs. H. w. Childs. 8. Huntley
and William Bach of Montana; Mrs. Barry
Bulkley. and Mrs. Ranlet. Mrs. Churchill
and Miss Wheat Of Louisville. Ky.
The Opening Proceedings.
AS the audience was assembling the band
played 1.-The National Capital Centennial
March" This was followed by the opening
number Of the program, Sousa's Hail to
the Spirit of Liberty" After invocation by
Rev DR.. Elliott and the intermezzo. "Sa-
lome" by the band. Mr.. Barry Bulkley read,
with excellent effect, the Grafton of General
Henry Lee on the death Of Washington.
The audience arose and remained stand
ing throughout the rendition by the band
Of The Star Spangled Banner" At the
conclusion of this selection Col Hopkins
announced that Rev. Father D. j. Stafford,
who would next address the gathering, was
a man who had attained great prominence
in the church. in literature and In all good
causes, and who needed no introduction to
a Washington audience.
In the course of his remarks Rev. Father
Stafford declared that George Washington
was not only the feature but the essential
parsonage in connection with the building
OF nation upon principle Of natural JUS
tice and equity. The cause was a great
one, q bold achievement, and it startled the
world. According to the speaker 1t not only
established a government, but it started a
new era; 1t was not only the beginning of
a republic but Of a race.
Father Stafford went on to say that We
live in an age of frreverent criticism, and
that Washington has not escaped the crit
les. We hear 1t said that washington was
not such great man, after all" But 1t is
q matter of fact, declared the speaker,
that Washington, by his military genius.
by his answering loyalty to the cause. by
his love Of justice. by his dogged persever-
ance. carried to successful termination the
revolutionary struggle. Without him the
revolution would have failed. When he
went to assume command Of the so-called
American army Washington found an ag-
gregation Of men undisciplined with no
idea of discipline, unorganiZed and without
ammunition.
His Greatest Victory.
washington. by the strength Of his per.
sonality, by his love Of liberty kept this
army in the field" said Father Stafford
ITO my mind this was his greatest victory
When the idea Of ultimate independence
once entered his heart he became the per-
sonification Of the American cause. 1 ad.
mire George Washington not SO much be.
cause he achieved independence but by
reason Of the fact that Notwithstanding the
tremendous difficulties that confronted him
at the outset he had the courage to under
take the task.
There has been much criticism Of Wash
ington from a military point of view, ex-
planned the speaker. He added that II
Washington had been less strong, if he had
been less Of man. less of a patriot, the
cause of the revolution would have been
lost. When offered a crown Washington
arose superior to the situation. At time
when the glory-seeker would have sought
to get all that was possible out Of it, all
Washington asked was that he be permitted
to retire to Mount Vernon in quiet.
washington was the first and greatest
OF all Americans" contended Father Stat
ford. He was the first to recognize the
necessity of strong central government
He inaugurated a policy which remains to-
day the best American policy. There have
been many generals. many statesmen, many
sages. but there has been only one Wash
ington Such is the man that the 2-cent
modern critics seek to belittle. Above all
our statesmen, presidents, benefactors,
write in letters of gold the name of Wash
ington-the statesman, the warrior, the
sage, the husband. the man."
Father Stafford was rewarded with long
continued applause. After the rendition by
the band of the "Marseilles' and '"The
Beautiful Blue Danube" Rev. DR.. Elliot
pronounced benedict!on, and the celebration
was at an end.
PATRIOTIC CHILDREN.
Their Celebration mt the COlum hi n