The Washington times., 1902-07-05
Celebrate Birth of lnde-
pendence With Old
Fashioned Zest.
OFFICERS FOR ANOTHER YEAR
Grounds of Mr.. Small Prettily Dec
grated With Flags and Bunting for
the 0ccasion-Musical and Literary
Program Follows Business Meeting.

The Association OF the Oldest Inhabi-
tants held their Fourth Of July celebra-
tion at the summer home OF Mr.. John
II. Small yesterday. Before the literary
md musical program the society had a
business meeting
Tho grounds and porches were beauti-
fully decorated with flags and bunting.
an1 chairs were arranged on the lawn
for the convenience of the members and
guests. Among the decorations was the
flag which Mrs. Small had on her resi-
dcncc in Georgetown during the civil
war.
The business meeting was called TO
order at 11:l5 o'clock by the president.
Mr.. s. Thomas Brown, Mr.. W. B. Reiss
acting as secretary.
The secretary reported the deaths of
Judge Walter s. Cox and Mr. William
Gait, and the corresponding secretary
reported that memorial cards had been
sent to the families of the deceased.
New Members Elected.
The following were nominated and
elected members: William Shelly. G. F.
Cunningham, Thomas Walsh, Richard J.
Beall. Edmund Campbell, and A. F.
Moulden.
The election of officers resulted in the
selection of the following, Vice Presi-
dent Larner in the chair: S. Thomas
Brown, president; J. W. Clark, William
Boron, n. d. Larner, Jacob Viehmyer,
a. Nailor, jr.. J. d. Cathell, A. H. Ra-
gan, B. C. Wright, G. H. Langley, P. NJ.
Dubant, R. Eichhorn, Albert Grupe, and
+. l.. Moore, vice presidents; W. B.
Reiss, recording secretary; ]. T. How
ard, corresponding secretary; J. Richard
Riggles. treasurer; James Croggan,
chronicler, and j. A Wineberger mar
shall
A committee on finance was appointed
as follows: A. H. Ragan, R. Eichhorn
and W. W. Kirby; on entertainment, H.
V. Cotton, F. G. Calvert, and Albert
Grupe.
At the close of the business meeting
there was an intermission. during which
refreshments of lemonade and cake were
served and social time was enjoyed.
At the sound of the bugle public ex
ercises were opened by the singing of
the "Star-Spangled Banner" by Mrs.
Adelaide L. Humphrey. Mr.. T. V. Moo
nan followed by reading the Declaration
of Independence; Not a Star from Our
Flag" by Mr.. l. A Heald-
Mr. Dennis Grafton.
Mr.. W. H. Dennis was then introduced
snd delivered the Grafton. He spoke in
part as follows:
we are met here 20 celebrate, in the
good. fashioned way, the beginning
OF the 127th year of the independence of
these United States. By the kindness OF
our hosts, we celebrate 1t in most ap-
propriate and significant surroundings.
The scenes which our eyes behold, not
only in their grand features. but in de-
tail are suggestive Of the wonderful
rast and present of our beloved country.
This house of Mr.. Small is upon part
CT the tract of land or manor known as
Greensboro, belonging for many years
TO the worthy family named Queen.
whose ownership dates back to colonial
times. From them and not from any
toadying to royalty, the little glebe of
Queens Chapel to the east of US also de-
rives its name. Tradition tells that the
structure upon 1t. the actual chapel.
las been 4 martyr or victim, if anything
inanimate may be so termed, of the
three wars OF which l will say more
presently. Originally built before the
Revolution, 1t was burned or ruined
during that long struggle. Devout Ro-
man Catholic hands restored it for pur
poses of worship, but during the war OF
1872 our British cousins came back to
see If there was anything they had
overlooked when they were here before
that and being in the vortex between
the two armies. the chapel was again
destroyed. Again 1t was restored, and
two generations later, toward the close
OF the civil war, il was set on fire, it
seems, under even less excusable cir
cumstances. when there was no foreign
Zoe to be charged with the vandalism
But we all know what General Sher-
man said war is. and it very naturally
vents it's spite on church edifices
whenever 1t has chance"
Washingtonians in War.
After referring to the part that had
been played by this section of the
country in the various wars, Mr.. Dennis
closed his Grafton as follows:
Freedom and self-government have
girdled the earth, and our very an
tipodes. Australia, profting by our old
etruggle against England. is in effect a
Itutl al pLDllI INV phA pfHAs Japan tAsa9
parliamentary government, and the an |
cient Chinese empire, reused by the |
fearless but humane incursion of our /
army into the Forbidden City, feels the |
glimmer of our free institutions as II |
through half-closed eyelids, and begins |
to grope toward the source OF such q |
light.
Let us not be overwhelmed .y the |
vastness of the prospect. On this day o:
all days in the year let our hearts be
bold. and let US feel equal to our great
heritage
The remainder OF the program was as
follows: Recitation, Star Spangled
Banner" by Mr. Duncan c. Haywood;
solo. Answer" by Mrs. Susie b. Cur
tfcc: solo. wild Western Rose" by Mr
Bowou; recitation, by Mr.. Schroeder;
recitation. "Sheridan's Ride" by Mr.
song, Aud Lang syne." by
the audience
Tile members were photographed and
several family groups were taken by Mr.
Johnson vote Of thanks was passed
to Mr. Small for tho use OF the grounds
Mr. Heald, late OF the American Band.
Of San Francisco. played number Of old
time tunes during tho day including
"Tho Light CT Other Daye.' Robin
hGair." Annie Laurie" and Ben
Bolt"
Following IL list Of those present