The Washington times., 1902-07-08
Approve Fourth of July
Suggestion Of Mr..
Mcfarland.
LETTER FROM Mr.. BULKLEY
Lack of Interest Discouraged Local So
ciety in Keeping Up Interest in In
dependence Day Exercises-Plans for
Future Celebrations.

The recent public utterance of Com
missioner Macfarland concerning the
celebration of Independence Day, July 4
or rather the lack of public demonstra-
tion on that day in this city, has found
an echo in communication which was
directed TO him yesterday by Mr..
Barry Bulkley, the historian OF the Dis
trict of Columbia Society of the Sons of
the Revolution.
Mr.. Bulkley reviews the efforts of his
society to arouse interest in these cele-
brations by providing programs of the
greatest excellence. He also comments
on the gradual dwindling of the attend
ance from year to year, until this year,
for the first time, no attempt was made
to conduct any exercises.
Societies Should Cooperate.
The suggestion of MIR. Macfarland is
enthusiastically commended by Mr..
Bulkley, who expresses delight at the
possibility of a renewal of interest in
the celebration of the day through the
initiative of the executive heads of the
city, supported by the cooperation of
the patriotic and citizens associations
OF the city.
The letter in full is as follows:
"Washington, D. c., July Z 1902.
Hon. Henry B. F. Macfarland, President
Board of District Commissioners,
Washington, D. c.:
My Dear Mr.. Mcfarland: l have read
with much interest your interview anent
the proper observance on the part of
Washingtonians of the Fourth of July.
/ am in thorough accord and sympathy
with your views. 1t 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 of the American
Revolution. The greatest interest ap-
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
deemed wise to discontinue them and 70
transfer the occasions to the theater.
There the attendance became even
more meager than 1t had been at the
Monument, and although the programs
were of an unusual order of excellence
and of the very highest character. 1t was
impossible to awaken enthusiasm or 10
secure the support of our people.
People Refuse to Attend.
Not disheartened 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 was decided. with
much regret, to abandon all effort at
public display. / feel, however, that
discouraging as the situation may seem,
it is not devoid of hope. and / 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-
tions, to unite on the Fourth OF July In |
a demonstration of patriotism, and I |
further believe that the exercises should |
be held in the open air at some central |
point and one more accessible than the |
Monument grounds.
Il beg to assure you that II there is |
any way by which l can assist such a |
that my services will be at |
your disposal, and, If we are unsuccess-
full in having the public turn out, we
will at least have the satisfaction of
having done our duty as patriotic citi-
gems. With very best wishes, / am sim
cerely yours,
BARRY BULKLEY.
Historian, District OF Columbia Society.
Sons of the Revolution"