Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-02-23
OLDEST INHABITANTS
ADDRESSED By coMMIssIoNER
MAcFARLAND TODAY.
The Annual Celebration OF Washing
toms Anniversary-Patriotic Ser
vices Held at Carroll Institute.

Inc Association OF OlQeSt lima Dltduts VI
the District Of Columbia celebrated Wash
ington's borthday Anniversary in an elabo-
rate manner at the Carroll Institute today.
and the program included number OF
patriotic addresses and musical numbers
The rendition Of the program was preceded
by business meeting.
The hall was deliberately decorated with
flags and bunting. On the stage was placed
bust Of Washington. and behind it was
draped an American has. Shortly before
the exercises began Mr.. William w. Birth.
who Is ninety-five years Of age. and the
oldest member Of the association. entered
the hall escorted by his granddaughter.
Miss Bertha T. Baldwin. and was warmly
greeted. After the singing of America
by the audience. Mr.. Allison Nailor. tr.. was
introduced to read Washington's farewell
address. after which Commissioner Mac
farland was presented.
Commissioner Mcfarland Speaks.
''The association of the Oldest inhabit-
ants" said Mr.. Mcfarland, deserves praise
for It's fidelity in celebrating our national
anniversaries 1t may well be proud of the
fact that the only public celebration Of In
dependence day last year in the District OF
Columbia was held under its auspices. Let
us hope that next Fourth OF July there may
be a more general public recognition OF
that great day. The value of such celebra-
lions is SO obvious that it requires no ex-
plantation We are better men, better Cit.
zens, a better community for the celebra-
tions Of Washington's birthday, the one
birthday which Is a national holiday 1t Is
no accident that no other birthday has been
so set apart. 1t is significant of the una
nimity Of the people Of this country as to
George Washington. Whatever dinefences
of opinion may have existed at any time
about his true place in history seem to
have entirely disappeared as his character
and his career have been fully revealed, 50
that his fame has latterly increased with
every year, and with it his hold upon the
admiration and affection Of his country,
He Is and has always been since ms
death the American best known and most
admired and reyered abroad. not only In the
the instruction and inspiration of his ex-
ample, not only in England and on the con-
tinent of Europe, but in far-on Asia ana
Africa. as stones sent for the washington
Washington is a world hero. established In
honors which can never be taken away,
and to which we cannot add by words or
eulogy. Washington does not need us. But
we need Washington. Never before did the
country which he 50 passtOnately loved ana
for which he. offered up everything need
more deeply what he can do for 1t still by
his principles and his practice. Unfortu-
study of Washington and the new knowl-
edge which has come from 1t, many OF us
think Of him as 50 far separated from our
time as to be unrelated to It. Not that it
Is long, as nations count. since he passed
away. The honored nonogenarian who Is
the oldest member of your association can
almost go back to Washington's day in his
recoilecttons. and may have known In his
youth many men who had seen Washing
ton. That brings Washington near, in a
sense, like the fact that he planned and
founded this federal city. which Is young
among the great cities OF the world. It is
but as yesterday in the calendar Of the
world that Washington was walking and
riding over the site Of the city that was to
be named for him. But we are separated
from him by the great changes that have
taken place,
"a thousand years Of change. IL not Of
progress. were crowded into the nineteenth
century; DISTINGUISHED by its scientific and
mechanical discoveries and the resultant
material progress. which changed the en-
tire thought of the world and brought
about new social and political conditions.
Washington belonged to an older order Of
society. different period Of civilization.
1t shows the strength of his greatness
that 1t Is brighter instead Of DINNER and
that 1t is possible for US by a proper
effort to see his spiritual presence in the af-
fairs of the twentieth century 1t IS
well worth our while to make the
EFFORT to relate our lives to his that we
may get for ourselves, for our community
and for our country the advantage of such
connection. 1t takes little effort. think.
lowed the lines which WASHINGTON laid
down for Its course. .i
Washington's Diplomacy.
ut is admitted that this is so in its deal
ings with foreign nations. Our diplomacy,
never more noble and never more success
full that recently. is according to Washing
toms ideas. sharply questioned In his own
day. but now universally acknowledged at
home and abroad to be wise. 1t ought to
be admitted. and 1t win be by history, that
Washington's ideas still govern In our own
affairs. That the United States should be
nation and not a confederacy, that that
nation should be Independent in every pos
sible way. and that 1t should expand in
definitely in territory and In power, but al
ways with justice. for the extension Of
freedom and opportunity, and in obedience
to the immutable laws of God, was all in
the great mind OF Washington. 1t held no
little thoughts Of his country and its des-
tiny. The details of our internal admin
istrafion could not have been foreseen by
any man. but the genius Of Washington
planned the great purposes which control
have foreseen that We would have under his
flag today Porto Rico and Hawaii and the
Philippines. But Washington provided, in
the mighty sweep Of his outlook. for the
1t Is inevitable that the children in the is
lands which we liberated from Spain should
be learning today first CT Washington as
typifying the United States and it's mission
in the world
mo one can doubt, certainly, that Wash
ington still serves the great nation which
he may truthfully be said to have founded,
most effectively, an exemplar and q
stimulus to the best kind Of living This Is
his greatest service to US, as individuals
Very human, and therefore lovable, but q
true gentleman In his courage and self
control. courtesy and high purpose, a pa
trict and Christian, he help every one of
us. even though we lack his genius and his
opportunities. to faithfully serve God and
our country. in our day and generation"
At the conclusion of Commissioner Mac
farland's address Mr.. N. Floyd Feather
stone was introduced. Mr.. Featherstone
sang several coon songs and then pre-
scented q few musical novelties. At the con-
cfusion Of the exercises the members and
guests adjourned to the floor below, where
q buffet lunch was served.
The Business Meeting.
The business meeting was called to order
by President s. Thomas Brown at 10
o'clock. A communication was read from
Mr.. William. w. Birth. who was elected
vice president Of the association at the
regular meeting Of the organization on
New Year day Mr.. Birth thanked the
association for the honor accorded him. and
wished the members continued success.
The election of new members was then