The Washington times., 1902-02-11

No 5. in honor of Malcolm Seaton, most
worshipful grand master OF the Masonic
order in the District Of Columbia.
The Ohio Congressman paid touching
| tribute to the late President William
Mckinley. claimed as dearly beloved
brother, and characterized President
Roosevelt as the one man in the entire
country best fitted to have taken up the
work of his predecessor.
For perhaps the first time in the history
| of such affairs the wives and daughters
| of Masons were present at the big din
| ner. Eager to learn the secrets of Mason
| (which they have tried in vain to be-
guile from their husbands and sweet
| hearts"-as Representative Bromwell
| phrased it-they paid the strictest atten-
tion to all that occurred during the even
ing, lest a mystic sign should escape their
notice. They demonstrated that the in
novation will become popular one.
Preceding Reception.
The banquet was preceded by a recep-
| tion by the most worshipful grand mas
ter. assisted by large committee. The
| many hundreds of guests then did ample
| justice to the viands placed before them,
after which the speech making of the
evening began.
Rev. Stanley Billheimer, A. NJ. W. NJ,
Potomac Lodge, No. 5. Free, Ancient, and
Accepted Masons, delivered the address
of welcome.
]. Holdsworth Gordon, past master,
who was toastmaster. claimed Brother"
aS Do
Lodge. the oldest in the District, and of
which he is past master.
The most worshipful master responded
| feelingly TO the tribute paid him.
Potomac Lodge" he said. has passed
| the century mark in its history: is strong,
! healthy, clean. 1t has for its members
only men of good character, gentlemen,
and Masons in every sense Of the word.
Il am glad that tonight We have our
wives. daughters, and sweethearts with
US The influence OF women in the his
tory of the world has been powerful
one, and their influence upon Masonry
has been for the good. Good Masons make
good citizens, good husbands. and good
fathers"
The President of the United States.
! Representative Jacob H. Bromwell
then responded to the toast. The Presi-
dent Of the United States"
Beneath the toast on the card we're
these two lines. the first from Whittier
and the second from Shakespeare:
Like a star glancing out from the blue
| Of the sky"
"a stouter champion never handled
| sword"
Roosevelt declared the speaker, lis
not new star Just appeared He
| proved his worth and brilliancy before
| called to his high office by the greatest
tragedy in the, history OF the world. The
first line of verse does not apply to him.
But a stouter champion never
handled sword than Theodore Roosevelt,
| the man of all others in the United
| States best fitted to take up the work
where his illustrious predecessor laid 1t
down.
Il afraid that President Roosevelt
| will order the Civil Service Commission TO
| put Masonry on the classified list All we
| need is an executive order. Masonry is
one of the best examples Of the merit sys-
| tenn Ii is progressive science, and shows
! the wisdom of the system as applied to
| the Government service. President Roose-
| welt knew this. He realizes the value of
Masonry as teacher Of the principle that
| effort and merit are to be rewarded at the
| top.
Illness of Young Roosevelt.
I've. and the whole country, sympathize
with him in the Illness of his son. We
pray that it may be only temporary. and
| that he NAV soon return to us to resume
his important business of state.
'The Masonic apron is worn in every
land. by Kings and potentates of the
earth. The Mason of the present day is
| wonderful outgruwth of the Mason of
300 years ago, but in no col><try have
such remarkable strides been made as in
| our own beloved land. Next to religion
Masonry is the greatest ciVilizer in the
world.
1T is found in the humblest homes, in
| the White House of the nation az well,
while the greatest American George
Washington, was past master of his lodge.
Down from him. through Clay. Andrew
JacksOn-and | speak with awe and ven
eration-to that typical Mason, our late
beloved President. William Mckinley,
they have all been great and good.
His successor is a Mason, too, Brother
| Roosevelt. Not only President, but
brother.
Failed TO Please.
Representative David ]. Foster of Yer
mont made his address to the ladies,
which was full of wit, but he didn't en-
tirely please the Dixie audience of
Georgetown, because he eulogized the
Yankee girl in preference to all others.
Senator Clark of Wyoming Representa-
tive j. C. Needham of California, Repre-
sentative Wanger of Pennsylvania, who
responded to the toast, Our Country"
and others delivered addresses.
The menu card was illustrated upon the
cover with pictures Of the officers of Po
tomac Lodge at their several occupations,
while bread baked in the Masonic sym
boil, the square and compass. was Il fea
ture of the banquet.
Those In Charge.
The following committees had charge
and assisted in the reception:
Rev. Stanley Billheiner. WORSHIP
master; w. Cliff. Stump, senior W"