Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-04-19
Continental Hall.

Today the Daughters of the American
Revolution lay the corner stone OF their
Continental Memorial Hall In this city.
One hundred and twenty-nine years ago
today was fired, at Lexington. "the shot
heard round the world" Between the
two events stretches span OF world
changing events, wonderful in their sig
nifcance The organization now In evil
dence as a stimulant of the patriotism
of the American people finds its founda-
lions in that skirmish in Massachusetts,
April 10, ITS The old world heard the
shot and marveiled at the intrepidity OF
the colonists who dared to revolt against
British power. Today the old world mar
wells at the failure OF the Europeans Of
1775 to measure the American colonial
forces at their proper value
The Daughters of the American Revo-
luton form q force well calculated to
keep vivid the memories and the tradi-
tons Of the period Of republic making.
In these days of many changes rapid
development and swift shifting from es-
tablished bases of thought 1t is well
that these lines holding fast to the his
toric past are kept firm by means of this
and similar bodies of men and women.
1. cannot be doubted that the true spirit
of Americanism, in its highest sense, has
been quickened by the work of the D.
A. r. and its kindred associations. Its
meetings give point to otherwise perhaps
meaningless anniversaries. Its work, in
the form of memorials, publications and
the Hike, places the proper emphasis on
the necessity to stimulate patriotism by
appeals to the eye and the ear.
There Is always danger that patriotism
may become a mere formula of speech,
covering a latent spirit Of willingness to
respond to the cOuntry's call for aid on
occasion. There is higher better patri-
otism than this, which expresses itself
continually in acts, minor sacrifices of
personality, adjustments to the common
veal, maintenance of ideals, the utter
ances of wholesome doctrines. The world
is busy and its workers have little time
for Indulgence in academies. The en-
thustasts who have the time and the
inclination to organize around a principle
must supply the necessary impulse to
keep the spirit of country love alive
and in evidence In these days of COM
mercial activity and diversion.
The Continental Hall will stand as a
permanent symbol of this thought, of the
duty which the modern American owes
to the ideals for which the forefathers
fought first at Lexington and then
through the bitter years to the final
triumph at Yorktown. Here in this
building will be assembled, no doubt,
souvenirs of the struggle, concrete
sources of inspiration themselves. The
building itself, as planned. will preserve
the best traditions of the colonial archi-
lecture and will add richly to the CAPT.
tafs attractiyeness. The occasion of it's
beginning. therefore. is more than of To-
cal or organizational Significance. 1t de-
serves to be noted throughout the coun-
try as sign of the times as the inau-
guratfon of a work deserving of hearty
encouragement and substantial aid. The
Daughters of the American Revolution
nave set fine example to all who believe
In the national capital as the proper
place for the best in architecture, art.
science. education, literature and phil
osophy. They have never questioned the
truth of Washington's eminent fitness
Tor all such demonstrations and en-
placements as attest to the growth and
the present splendor of the nation.