The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-10-12
MRS. FAIRBANKS SPEAKS
GROUND BROKEN FOR THE CONTI-
MENTAL MEMORIAL BUILDING.
Tribute at Washington to Revolution
airy Heroes by the Wife of the Sc
nior Senator from Indiana.
Special to Ii. Indianapolis Journal.


WASHINGTON, Oct. lin conjunction
with the twelfth anniversary celebration of
the founding of the national society.
Daughters of the American Revolution.
there also took place this afternoon the
ceremony of breaking ground for the pro-
posed continental hall The. exercises took
place on the proposed site. at the corner of
Seventeenth and d streets. The ceremony
was performed by Mrs. Charles w. Fair
banks, president general Of the D. A r.,
assisted by the surviving founders Of the
national society. Mrs. Fairbanks in her adj
dress said in part:
To-day we are assembled at a point In
our history which is OF exceeding interest
TO the Daughters OF the American Revolu-
ton. Twelve years ago to-day. exactly at
this hour, were laid the great lines upon
which our society Is based, and by happy
coincidence we are her to commemorate
that action There are perhaps present but
few Of those who were among the organ
izers OF the society on that date. but to-day
we stand as the representatives OF great
and patriotic society which now has upon
This society is not devoted to any III
terror or selfish purpose We are here be
cause We represent those virtues for which
our forefathers struggled, achieved and
Outlines lost life and fortune in building
up We are not here in the pride of family
or blood. We are here TO aid in preserving
the eternal principles of liberty. and II be-
hooves not to think of the society alone
but 10 remember the splendid work
achieved by our revered ancestors the
men and women OF the revolution, and to
do our humble best to emulate that work
and aid In preserving intact the splendid
heritage Of free homes and free country
where prevail the principles of justice and
liberty.
To-day we will break the ground upon
which. I'm the near future. shall be builded
the massive foundations of our beautiful
memorial continental hall. which shall be
Respondent in the beauty of lettering OF
gold. artistic carving, stately columns, as
tributes TO the love and patriotism OF the
great army of the revolution-the men OF
the line-and that grandest of reserve corps
the women of the revolution, who held the
fortunes OF the homes, who raised the flax
who spun the wool. wove the cloth and cut
and made the garments of the heroes who
fought so bravely and so well the battles OF
liberty and progress.
$50 now we, the daughters of their line
age, proud to be called daughters of their
struggle for independence, gladly come tC
this historic spot, to first break ground
AS the Greeks thought IL their bounder
duty to build for the victors Of Salamis and
Thermopylae testimonials OF remembrance
of their thrilling deeds of valor. let US take
JOY in the thought that in the building OF
this modern Parthenon we render tribute tC
battles fought. not for dominion, but
fought in the holy cause OF freedom
The ceremonies OF the day were elaborate
and patriotic. They were attended by q
large number, including representatives OF
the national societies OF the Sons of the
American Revolution, Sons of the Revolu.
ton and Children of the American Revolu-
ton The spade with which the earth was
turned WAS presented by the Montana So
ciety through Mrs. Walter Harvey Weed
vice regent OF that State, who read a poem
written for the occasion by Ella Wheeler
Wilcox. The spade is made of gold and sill.
yer taken from Montana mines and is SCI
with blue and white sapphires from thai
State.