The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1903-02-27
THE FATHER
OF HISCOUNTRY
General Washington's Mem
ory Honored at MorriStown
Headquarters Monday
ADDRESS BY MR.. w. WILSON


Heard in Morristown and has Ex-
cited Much Favorable Comment.
There were Many Distinguished
Citizens Among the Members and
Guests of the Association,
An unusual number of stockholders
and guests gathered at the annual meet
ing Of the Washington Association OF
New Jersey, held in Lafayette Hall,
adjoining Washington's headquarters on
Monday, and the days events excelied
those of former years. Over four nun
dred were present.
The headquarters were open early In
the morning. and many OF the guests
made an inspection of the old Revoiu-
tionary relics which are scattered In and
about that old fashioned building, and
which is undoubtedly the finest coiiec-
tion in the country.
At / o'clock the guests assembled IN
the Lafayette building where an elaoor-
ate collation. was served by caterer Day.
AS each entered the dining hall, he was
ushered to the large table and after al
had gathered about, Rev. DIR. Albert
Erdman, of Morristown, invoked II
divine blessing. There were no seats,
and all were served with luncheon stand
ing. An unique feature of the luncheon
was the ice cream in shapes represent
ing canons, the bust of Washington,
and the American flag. A miniature
hatchet, and cherry were placed on
the lapel of the coat of each guest.
Cigars were freely passed and a gen
eral conversation was enj Dyed which on
occasions dritted into every known
feature of public life.
There W ere present many newly ap-
pointed Judges, and other officers and
several promising candidates for high
official position. After twenty minutes
spent in this way President Jonathan
Roberts opened the doors of the assem-
bly rooms where seats were arranged,
and extended an invitation to all to
listen to the exercises. An orchestra
under the direction Of Prof. Voss OF
Newark discoursed music, and Angelo
]. A. Bennell led in the singing of
Hail Columbia and America. At the
conclusion of the musical program
President Roberts motioned for Presi-
dent Woodrow Wilson, OF Princeton
University to come upon the platform
Accompanied by Judge Mahlon Pitney,
President Wilson came forward and
when tie crowd first saw him, there
were strong manifestations of approval
Under the leadership of Edward Mills,
a graduate of Princeton, the Princeton
College yell was given, and every one
familiar with it joined in This seemed
to please President Wilson, and he
acknowledged it by bowing. The meet
ing was then called to order and Presi-
dent Roberts made short address
during which he said the Washington
Association need not fear the anti-trust
laws as it was patriotic trust.
When he introduced President Wilson
there was again vociferous applause,
and the speaker was obliged to wait
sometime before he could begin his
address.
In opening his remarks he said that
the separate qualities of greatness in
Washington were embodied in the one
word which he had chosen for bis text,
Patriotism. A word, said the speaker,
which "lives," not sentiment" but
something which breeds sentiment. A
principle of action. Something outside
of self interest, for if you are patriot
you will not live for yoarself alone but
for your country, and be devoted to her
cause. But you are not patriot if you
think the country is doing wrong and
you do not say 80. A patriot loves his
country; is devoted to its interests and
not to his own aggrandisement. He must
preach his country's faults.
If am o. the class of Imperialists, who,
although in the minority, yet have the
greater courage There has been a mis-
taken idea of the worship of our flag
What does the flag of the United States
stand forP 1t stands for the biggest
kick on record We live in country
where every man must think for himself
and l would not give 'pepper-corn'
for principles that are not worth fight
ing for"
Here the speaker dwelt upon the sub
iect of character. He said everyone
must love the country for the sake of its
character, but he did not believe chsrac-
ter to be the only object of a man. If
he does honest work his character will
take care of itself, for one who isalways
thinking about his character is thinking
continually of himself.
Abiding to the belief that 1--WE are the
people the speaker said: There is
sentiment abroad in this country that
the people are the rulers. know of no
instance in history where the people
were the governors. The sooner we
realize that we are not the masters but
choose the mast rs, we will be more
careful in choosing our N asters."
Popularity said President Wilson, is
the one THU that undermines the char
acter of man and the nation. To be on
the popular side is an object which the
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