The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-07-07
SONS OF REVOLUTION
WANT CELEBRATION
Commend Mr.. MaCfarIand's
fourth 0 July Suggestions
mir. BULKLEY WRITES LETTER
Local Society Did Much to Keep Up OBJ
servance of the Fourth, But Lack of
Interest Was Discouraging-No Pro
gram This Year.

The recent public utteranee Of Com
missioner Macfarland concerning the
celebration of independence Day, July 4
or rather the lack Of public demonstra-
ton on that day in this city, has found
an echo in communication which was
directed to him this morning by Mr..
Barry Buckley, the historian Of the Dis
trict of Columbia Society of the Sons Of
the Revolution.
Mr.. Buckley reviews the efforts of his
society to arouse interest in these ceIe-
brations by providing programs OF the
greatest excellence. He also comments
on the gradual dwindIing CT the attend
ance from year to year, until this year.
for the first time. 10 attempt was made
t. conduct any exercises.
Societies Should Cooperate.
The suggestion of Mr. mcfarland is
enthusiastically commended by Mr.
Buckley. who expresses delight at the
possibility Of a renewal of interest in
the celebration of the dag through the
Initiative of the executive heads Of the
city. supported by the corporation OF
the patriotic ana citizens associations
of the city
The letter in full is as follows:
Washington, D. c., July I, 1902.
Hon. Henry B F. Macfarland. President
Board of District Commissioners.
Washington. D. c.:
My Dear Mr. Mcfarland; have read
with much interest your interview anent
the proper observance en- the part Of
Washingtonfans of the Fourth Of July.
am in thorough accord and sympathy
with your views It Is the day OF all
days deserving recognition at our hands.
Celebrations Heretofore.
Some years ago the District Of Co
lumbia Society of the Sons of the Revo-
luton inaugurated and successfully car
ried out the plan of holding public ex-
ercises on the Fourth OF July at the base
OF the Washington Monument, and later
on they had on the occasions the CO.
operation OF the Sons IF the American
Revolution. The greatest interest dp-
peared to be stimulated by these exer-
cises, and continued for two or three
years. when, because of the intense
heat and lack Of public interest, it was
lSt1stG HlSC " GASLOltAnQG LA4EAAA anu ~
transfer tie occasions to the theater-
There the attendance became even
more meager than it had been at the
and although the programs
we're OF an unusual order of excellence
and OF the very highest character, It was
impossible 30 awaken enthusiasm OF to
secure the support Of our people,
People Refuse to Attend.
Not disheaTtened by these attempts,
our society and the Sons of the Ameri-
can Revolution decided to hold church
services, but with results more discour-
aging than upon the gatherings referred
to. This year it vas decided With
much regret, to abandon all effort at
public display. l feel. however, that
as the situation may seem,
il is not devoid OF hope, and I believe
that the citizens of the District of Co
lumbia should hereafter be called upon.
through the Commissioners and through
the patriotic societies. the oldest inhabi-
tants and kindred citizens organiza-
tons. 10 unite on the Fourth OF July n
3 demonstration of patriotism, and
further believe that the exercises should
be held In the open air al some central
point and one more accessible than the
Monument grounds
4 beg to assure you that II there is
any way by which can assist such a
movement that my services viii be at
your disposal, and, II we are unsuecess- /
iul in having the public turn out, We
will at least have the satisfaction Of /
having done our duty as patriotic citi- |
zens. With very best wishes. / am sin |
eerely yours,
BARRY BULKLEY.
Historian, District of Columbia Society. /
Sons of the Revolution