Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-02-23
SONS OBSERVE THE DAY
PROGRAM GIvENo By DESCEND
ANTS OF REVOLUTIONARY sIREs.
Washington Extolled as Illustrating in
His Career the Apstheosis
Of Character.

The patriotic sentiment which is insepara-
BILE from the celebration of the birthday OF
George Washington was manifest today at
the meeting of the Sons of the Revolution.
In accordance with the annual custom OF
that organization, exercises were held in
special commemoratton OF the day. The
large banquet hall in the New Willard con-
tanned a representative audience Of the
membership Of that society. Not only were
the Sons out In force. but also the daugh-
ters-not, however, the capitalized daugh-
tiers, as they were in attendance at their
own meeting; but, notwithstanding that,
women patriots were very much in evil
dence.
While the audience was assembling the
Marine Band which was stationed in the
balcony, played appropriate music. The
committee on reception greeted the people
at the entrance and saw that they had
seats. The French ambassador was es-
corted to a seat near the platform and was
an interested listener to the program, which
had been prepared for the occasion. Over
the platform, where were seated the officers
Of the society, was a portrait Of Wash
ington, with American flags On each side.
In the absence of Rear Admiral Taylor, the
president Of the society, who is in Indiana,
where he is receiving, as an officer Of the
navy, some token Of the esteem in which
his patriotic services are held, his place
was taken by Mr.. F. P. B. Sands.
Opening Exercises.
The felicity Of the latter in his brief
opening remarks, in which he spoke Of the
absence Of the President and his introduce
ton Of the speakers, added to the patriotic
spirit of the occasion On each side Of the
presiding officer were those who took part
in the program, and also men who are
prominent in the councils Of the society,
such as Admiral Walker and Mr.. Louis J..
Davis. The Invocation was given by Rev.
R. n. McKim, who is the chaplain of the
District organization. Schubert's serenade
followed from the band, and the delicacy
and beauty Of the Interpretation was highly
enjoyed.
Mr. Barry Bulkley, who Is the historian
Of the society, then read in admirable style
that portion Of the address which Senator
Daniel Of Virginia delivered at the dedica-
ton of the Washington monument, and
which had special reference to the charac-
ter Of Washington. Mr.. Bulkiey's elocu-
tionary powers found effective means of ex-
preston in the stately and impassioned
tribute which was on that occasion paid to
the first President. 1t was delivered with
all the earnestness and force of an original
grafton, and evoked many evidences Of ap-
probation on the part of the audience. After
the applause had died away which fol-
Star Spangled Banner. were heard, and the
audience rose to It's feet while the national
hymn was played by the band.
Rev. T. E. Green's Address.
With an appropriate reference to a speech
delivered by Rev. T. E. Green of Iowa, the
general chaplain, Sons of the Revolution, at
the tomb Of Washington on the occasion of
visit of the general society to that spot
last year, the presiding officer very effec-
lively introduced the author Of that speech
to the audience. He received very cor
dial and hearty welcome, and his graceful
delivery, as well as the beauty and force Of
his words, closely held the attention Of his
audience. He referred to Washington as
illustrating in his career what might be
termed the apotheosis OF character. He
spoke Of his services to the country at that
particular time as one of the direct provi-
dences Of God, and said Washington was
Gods man. just as Lincoln had proved him.
self to be in later years when he saved the
life Of the nation. les
Upon the conclusion Of the address the
band rendered the "Marseilles," and then
gave for the first time musical compost
ton, the work Of the leader Of the band,
Prof. Santelmann, entitled 1.-THE Thomas
Jefferson March," which is inscribed to the
Thomas Jefferson Memorial Association.
The program of the day was brought to a
close by the benediction, which was pro-
nOunced by Rev. DR.. Mckim.