Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-06-15
TIE CIHhhI bHNNEn
Impressive Ceremonies in Celebration
Of Its Adoption.
HISTORY TOLD IN SONG AND STORY
First F ormaI Observance of Flag
Day in the District.
LOQU ENT TION s


tional Theater last night, and while the
strains Of the Star Spangled Banner"
were waited in sweet and thrilling cadence
by the voices of 200 children, a shout of
triumphant exhilaration went up from the
assembled multitude, and the first Flag
day to be publicly celebrated in the Dis
trict of Columbia had been most fttingly
brought to a close.
When that same curtain had gone up two
hours before, the revelation caused no less
thrill and no less exclamation of de-
light. The picture presented will live long
In the memory of the thousands who faced
it from every available space in the thea
ter. Before them was the flag, and liv-
ing Implication of all that the flag can be
emblem of. Two hundred boys and girls
of America dressed in white, and set. as it
were, in frame of Stars and Stripes, were
arranged in long tiers, a solid bank of
bright faces. Hung over their heads was
a cloud of starry banners; back of them
was the likeness of George Washington;
in front of them that Of William Mckinley,
the former supporting the flag and the lat
ter the shield of his country. AS solid
wall in front sat double file of men-the
orators and honored gueSts-while on one
side a squad of marines in white, and on
the other soldiers in blue, completed the
scene, which presently changed from one
of reverent attitude during the invocation
of divine blessing, to a thrilling demon
stration with small flags, each little arm
was outstretched with a standard, and as
with one voice all sang the strains of
America" assisted by the Marine Band.
The soldiers and marines then marched to
the front and supported two large flags,
crossed in the center of the stage. The
cheer that rose echoed and vibrated until
even the flags which draped in profusion
the boxes and balconies were stirred. At
this time two small silk standards were
caught in the breeze of electric fans half
way up on either side of the stage, and
huttered and waved on invisible wires.
The OratOry.
1t was after $50 when these preliminaries
We're over and the gathering was formally
called to order by Mr.. Chaplin Brown and
the program of oratory begun. Sentiment
was expressed first as representing the
District by Commissioner H. 3. F. Macfar-
land who had been introduced by Mr.
Brown as the presiding officer of the even
ing. Gen. Joseph c. Breckenridge next
took up the story of the flag, and told what
it had been to the army.
The navy was represented by Mr.. +. w.
Hackett, assistant secretary of the navy.
Mr.. Hillary A. Herbert, former Secretary
of the Navy, represented the SOUTH and
touchingly told how the two sections stood
once more firmly united under the old ban
ner. Representing those who love the flag
by adoption, Mr.. Simon Wolf told how it
SIllelueC allke Jew anu CuIISlldll, CdlnOllC
and Protestant, assuring to all the same
freedom.
Music made a pleasing period after each
oratorical effort. A patriotic fantasia, ar
ranged by Prof. w. H. Santelmann, who
directed both the chorus and band. was
rendered after Mr.. Netherlands introduce
tory remarks. THE Invincible Eagle by
the band, followed General Breckenridge.
After Mr. Herbert had concluded 1.-The Star
spangled Banner was sung by Mrs Thorn
as c. Noyes The children sang Columbia,
the Gem of the Ocean," as Mr.. Wolf con-
Guided. which was repeated at the persist
ent demands of the audience Following a
benediction by Rev. D. J. Stafford, the last
verse of The Star Spangled Banner" was
sung by the chorus and the curtain fell.
Praise of Old Glory.
Eloquent remarks fell from the lips Of
every speaker, and although six men talked
of the flag no one encroached on the
thought of the other. Mr.. Chaplin Brown
explained briefly what enthusiastic success
the committee of one hundred in charge Of
the movement had met on every hand.
This committee had first felt the pulse of
the people. 1t had found unanimous senti-
ment in favor of this. the first public cele-
bration in the District. Mr.. Brown
laid the foundation for future Flag
day functions by his remarks on their
observance in similar manner. Pat
riotic exercises were as appropriate to
this occasion as church and presents to
Christmas. as fireworks to the Fourth of
July, or as turkey to Thanksgiving Day
That there was a decided sentiment in IA
vor of the flag he proved by the assem-
blage before him. Mr. Brown then called
on Commissioner Macfarland, who he said
not only would represent the District cffi-
cially, but would individually express the
sentiment of the occasion as representing
the District and capital of the nation.
Mr.. Macfarland's Address.
Mr.. Mcfarland, as he stepped from his
seat. was warmly greeted.
THE national capital salutes the national
flag" he said, in opening. THE District Of
Columbia has never had any other flag, and
has never been tempted to divide it's al
legiance. 1t Is the home of the national
flag. and has been ever since 1t was found
ed a hundred years ago" Continuing, Mr..
as it was connected with the District, ever
which, he said. no other emblem ever
foated. Although the flag had been born
of war. like most other great national
gress and peace.
Tonight ensign is full high ad-
vanced, ne concluded. 1T floats In tri-
umph and blessing around half the world.
Children of many races are learning its
meaning and celebrating it's history, this
first flag day of the twentieth century, in
the uttermost parts OF the earth There,
as here, in China, in the Philippines. it is
and mercy. We citizens of the national
capital do we'll to salute 1t reverently and
affectionately on this anniversary of its
birth. for it is the symbol Of our Union the
record of our progress, the winding sheet
of our heroes. the ornament of their graves
the fair prophecy of our future glory as
the beneficent leader of the world"
Mr.. Mcfarland spoke of President Nc
kinley, whose name was applauded He
said the President was present in spirit:
that all knew the reason of his absence
In person, and that all sorrowed with him
in his affiiction, but reJoced in the signs
more hopeful.
Fervent and Eloquent.
General Breckenridge was in a happy
frame of mind. His speech which followed
Mr.. Macfarland was full Of patriotic fire.
Pausing once in the course Of it's delivery,
he exclaimed, eff this sounds like the
Fourth of July. just remember that the
Fourth is only a little ways ahead" The
general said that when asked to speak of
his flag it was utterly impossible for him
to decline. The flag meant much to him.
both In sentiment and sacrifice He had
fought for It, and he thanked God he had
gone to victory following it. The flag rep
resented the people, but he declared It was
the nAODlp who cd he Ao-