Evening star., 1902-02-22
Observing the Anniversary
Of Washington's Birth.
A NATIONAL HOLIDAY
OLD TIME FORM oF CELEBRATING
THE EVENT.
School Programs Consisted OF Music
and Recitations - The Societies
and Military Companies.

The anniversary of the birthday of WASH
ington has been regularly observed In this
section of the country for more than a cen
tury, the usage of the people making IL
national festival which has grown to De one
of our principal holidays. Since the estaD-
lishment of the seat of government here IN
1900 the day has perhaps never passed WITH
out some form of celebration in honor OF
the day in the city which bears his name.
Coming as it does during the session or
Congress, in it's busiest season and at
time when the weather is often unpropl-
tious for out-of-door demonstrations, II
has not always been holiday with the SEN
ators and representatives of the people ana
many preparations for parades have been
useless. Nevertheless there was an observ-
ance of the day, the members listening 10
the reading of the farewell address and
patriotic remarks
In the first half of the past century.
though the government and municipal Of
fees were closed, the schools, pubic ana
private, were open as usual on the annlVer-
sary day. In the schools the day was us
ually observed, in most cases by decla1m-
ing and singing, the music and recitat1ons
being of patriotic character. In many OF
the school readers Of that date there were
stories of Washington in which the date OF
birth was stated to be February II, Ola
Style, and the teacher would explain why
they celebrated February % instead by re-
citing the history of the change of the cal
endar by Pope Gregory, in 1852, by which
the civil date caught up with the natural
year, and the adoption of the calendar
by England in 1852.
1t was customary for these lyceums or
debating societies to celebrate the day by
listening to an grafton and the reading OF
the farewell address. Among these socie-
ties now recalled were the Vine Lyceum.
the Union Literary and Debating Society
and the Washington Literary and Debating
Society.
Birth night dinners and balls were fea-
lures in the very early days, and there was
always one for which elaborate prepara-
tions We're made, especially in the way of
toaSts and speakers. The unsettled condi-
tion of the country prior to and during the
war of 1912 had much to do with making
some years the celebrations rather tame
affairs.
In Monroe's Time.
Every recurrence of the day during the
of President Monroe was
well observed, especially in the evenings.
February %, 1892. the feature was a grand
ball and supper. given at Browns Indian
Queen" now the ALetropoitan) Hotel,
which was attended by the President and
the leading men of the day, with ladies
present. At the supper many patriotic
toasts We're offered and responded to in
speech and in song.
The celebration in 1897 was more gen.
eral than had been those of previous years.
Salutes We're fired by the old Columbian
Artillery, company with four cannon,
whose uniform was that of the Continen-
tails This company paraded as also did
the Washington Guards, Captain Seaton;
the Columbia Light Infantry and others.
The Washington Debating Society observed
the day at the Unitarian Church (now the
D. Elliot delivered the Grafton before
great many guests of the society There
were two balls at night, one at the National
Hotel. then just opened by Mr.. Gadsby, and
the other at. Carusis assembly rooms, now
kernans Lyceum 1heater. The circus
gave an extra performance at
night on the present ste of lie Havenner
bakery.
here on Monday, the 23d, with more than
ordinary eclat, and the weather was all
that could be desired. A new volunteer
military company. the Continental Guards
OF South Washington. made it's initial ap-
pearance that morning. The members met
at Potomac Hall, 18th and d streets south
west, and We're presented with handsome
flag by Col. G. w. Parke Custis on
behalf Of their lady friends. They then,
with the Alexandria Artillerists, Washing
ton Light Infantry. National Greys and
Walker SharpshoOters made a parade.
At night the Continentals gave a most
brilliant ball at Carusi's saloon. In those
days cOlored bands were often employed.
and Williams and Warren's colored musi-
clans We're in the gallery. Subsequently,
target firing February % was one Of the
amusements of the company and during
its life of few years 1T regularly marched
to the foot of the monument for that pur-
pose, In calm and in Storm once wadinp
through snow a foot deep.
congressional banquet took place in
the evening at Wizards Hotel which was
fyua
Gen. Scott, Judge Wayne, Mr.. Custis
among them.
Becomes General Holiday.
BY this time, though not recognized nv
law, the community had made the day a
more general holiday. and the schools were
closed. whether there were public parades
or otherwise. During the civil war there
were times when the public, however much
1t might have desired to celebrate was
SO exercised by the situation that the day
was allowed to pass with almost no notice.
Since the war the holiday has become q
much more popular one, and while most of
the military and civic associations of the
old times have gone out Of existence
others-the Sons and Daughters of the
Revolution the Oldest Inhabitants, the Inn
proved Order of Red Men, the Veteran Fire
men and the military-kept up the observ
ance.
The Oldest Inhabitants Association, or
ganized in 1865, has regularly observed
the day as one of its three principal holi-
days, New Year and July 4th being the
others. On the 22d the farewell address
is read and an Grafton delivered. OF late
years music and a collation. have been
added. This year they will meet at Carroll
Hall.
The Red Men claim their right to observe
the day as the successors of the st. Tam
many Society of the days Of the revolution.
of which Washington was a member.
The Veteran Volunteer Firemen. whose
services were dispensed with by the intro
duction Of the paid department in 1884,
his life was a member Of the Friendship
Fire Company of Alexandria They OBJ
served the day with parade and banquet.
Heretofore 1t has beenathe custom Of the
vets to parade from the engine house
down the avenue ste the Peace monument
and rotnrn for the hann,1nf 4ha q aais.,