Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-02-23
the sisterhood of states not alone by pur-
ole h1rd

chase, but also by discovery.
"Soon after the achievements of our revo-
lutionary fathers 1t became evident that
the spirit which had fought and suffered
for seven years could not be confined to the
limits of thirteen states. Thomas Jefferson
realized the Importance OF owning the Mis-
sissippi river from its source to its mouth.
and began negotiations with France with
this alone in view; but France said that she
would give him all Of her possessions In
America for the sum Of $15.O00,000; and in
1904 this distinguished son OF Virginia, with
the vision of prophet, consummated the
Louisiana purchase out Of which We have
made no less than fourteen states and two
territories.
Difficulties in the Northwest.
After referring to a number of historical
occurrences relating to the northwest, Mrs.
Montgomery remarked that those who live
east of the Rocky mountains can little
understand the difficulties of the daughters
to establish their right to membership in
the society.
fifty members" she said ''it is not be-
cause there are today no more women who
are eligible, and who would gladly join
this society, but because of the Difficulty OF
following up or retracing the steps Of those
pioneers who crossed the plains In the
latter forties and fifties, and who came
from the bluest blood Of Virginia. the
Kniekerbockers Of New York. and the most
New England
Exercises Late This Afternoon.
The patriotic exercises of the afternoon
will begin at o'clock and will be held IN
the Opera House At the close adjourn
ment will be taken to the grounds OF the
Continental Memorial Hall. where the fine
silk flag lately presented by the Sons Of
the American Revolution will be raised to
the top Of the flagstaff erected on that spot.
The Flagstaff is historical. 1t Is the one
which was used at the reviewing stand
when President Mckinley was inaugura,ec.
and it was used for this purpose the last
time at the second inauguration OF Pres1-
dent Mckinley. The staff was presented
to the National Society of the Daughters
erick D. Owen, assistant to Col. Theo.
Bingham, superintendent of public build
ings and grounds Mr.. Owen Is an en-
thusiastic Son of the American Revolution,
the silk flag was presented. Realizing that
the flag would soon be whipped to ribbons
If foated every day. Mr.. Owen will today
present the National Society fine bunting
flag for everyday use.
IN this connection it is recalled that
year ago Mrs. Donald Mclean, regent OF
New York Chapter, suggested that Whe2
the ground for the Continental memorial
Hall was purchased a flag pole be erected
and the National Society purchase nag
to be raised every day above the ground
until the Memorial Hall was ready tor oc
cupancy No action was taken at the time.
but through Mr.. Owens efforts the 8. A. II.
took up the project.
D. A. r. Notes.
Mrs. James Lawrence Blair. president OF
the woman's board of managers of the
Louisiana purchase exposition, was intro
duced to the congress by the president gen
eral and received with an ovation. Mrs.
Blair, who was elegantly gowned in gray
panne velvet. simply bowed her response to
the welcome. -.--- -
Miss Janet Richards is the official re-
corder Of the congress, and even she was
unable to make the uneasy members or the
congress hear her announcements me
membership Of the congress Is now more
than 800.
Mrs. W. H Coleman Of the Indiana dele
CATION sent Mrs. James Lawrence Blair OF
St. Louis, who was on the platform.
dainty girl doll, attired in red, white and
blue and wearing continental hat In 1ts
tiny hands was a pretty silk flag. which is
to wave over the Louisiana purchase eI-
position. Mrs Blair said. regretIuly a., as
Mrs. Blair Is the mother OF several nne
boys.
The calling of state delegations occasioned
a good deal OF merriment. connecticut TOE
largest number Of delegates and chapter
regents Connecticut is entitled to seventy
Ave delegates and f1fty-five are present.
When the Massachusetts, delegation rose,
with its ninety-eight delegates 1t looked
as though half the congress was about to
stand. But when New York was reached
there seemed only small portion of the
congress left seated. New York's 10 dele
gates were greeted with long applause.
New York is the banner state this year.
The pages were a busy lot Of young ladies
today, and the demands upon them were
unlimited. It was a noisy, restless conven-
ton.
City Crowded With Visitors.
The hotels of Washington are crowded to-
dayrwith Daughters of the American Revo-5
luton who have come to attend the twelfth
continental congress- of the national So
ciety 1t Is estimated that there are fully