The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-04-23
From a Staff CORRESPONDENT.

From Staff Correspondent
WASHINGTON, D. c., April 20
The thirteenth annual Continental
Congress of the Daughters of the
American Revolution convened Mon
day morning at 10 o'clock in Chase's
theater. When the president general.
Mrs c. n. Fairbanks. dropped the
gavel there was present an audience
of nearly 1000 women. which included
some visitors, though the officers and
delegates make a larger number of
Daughters than have ever come to-
gether before.
The opening of the congress was a
beautiful and most impressive sight.
The theater was deliberately decorated
with fags and palms. the boxes were
fuIl of the national officers beautifully
goWned their corsages blazing with
JeWeled orders and decorations. The
presiding officer wore a wide sash of
blue edged with white across her
shoulders and national officers and
state regents a narrow ribbon of the
same colors
1t is doubtful whether a more repre-
sentative body of women ever assem-
bled than this congress of the D. A. R..
with It's delegates from each state and
territory, from far away Hawaii.
Alaska and even from Porto Rico. Saw
what you will about the disagreements
and quarrelS which have marked some
sessions, smile as you may at the ir-
relevant and pointless speeches some
ufnes made by the members it is. new
ertheless, just cause for pride that one
Is Daughter of the American Reyolu-
Ton and member of this magnificent
bOdy OF women, who do not stand for
rank and place. but to do honor to
revolutionary soldiers and officers
alike.
The opening of the first davis cere-
monies is marked by some form: after
the presiding officer and national Off
GERS nave taken their seats beneath
the flag. soldier steps to the front
and blows the bugle call to announce
10 the delegates that the session has
otSuh. me presiding officer then call
eo upon the chaplain general to ask
blessing upon the deliberations of
the congress, which she did. and after
the singing of the Star SDangI@d
banner by the entire congress stand
ing the assembly was ready for bust
ness.
There is never much done the first
day, as a certain amount of ceremony
must be gone through with, and the
seating OF the delegates according TO
thelr states takes much time, besides
many do not arrive until the second
day. Mrs. Fairbanks, who is a most
1alr and just presiding officer as we'll
as a charming woman, made an ex-
ceLent opening speech, in which she
summed up the work Of the year and
gave an account of her own travels in
behalt of the society. The considera-
ton OF the amendments to the con-
Stltutlon was next taken I'D. and most
them fa
The Daughters of Minnesota are ia
lniliar with these
The session adjourned early to give
the delegates a chance to rest before
attending the reception given at the
Corcoran Art gallery by the board or
managers Of that institution It was
one OF the most brilliant and success
fuI affairs ever given in WASHINGTON.
by y O'Clock there was a line of car
rlages extending for three squares on
Flfteenth street full of the best known
and best dressed women in the country.
Ihere was no crowding confusion or
hItch in the affair, and the spacious
galleries held comfortably nearly 5000
persons, which included only the
Daughters and their escorts. Many
men prominent in public life were pres
ent, including Mr.. Shave, secretary of
the treasury, Senator Fairbanks, Gen
JOhn NJ. wilson and Mr.. Frederick D.
Owens The gowns and jewels of the
women were gorgeous beyond descrip-
ton. There was music all the even
ing and Mrs Fairbanks shook hands
with and had a pleasant word for each
guest.
Yesterday morning the congress-
again assembled at 10 a. m. and took
up the amendments which consumed
the entire morning and resulted in put
ting the programme about half a day
behind, which occurs each year.
The important event of yesterday
was the laying of the corner stone for
the great Continental hall which the
Daughters will build at Seventeenth
ana streets to be a perpetual me-
mortal of the brave deeds of their an
cestors. The day opened propitiously
with warm sun and no clouds in sight.
but by noon a high wind from the
north sprang up and by afternoon it
was cold and blustery But the sun
showed it's face later and the cere-
monies occurred as arranged.
About two thousand women formed
in line and walked from the theater
to the site, and SO admirable were the
arrangements that they were all well
seated and there was no confusion. On
the grandStand sat the national Off
GERS, state regents and distinguished
guests Music was furnished by the
United States Marine band and the
United States Engineers band Col.
AOuLdS oyIiOilS, =. - A, IN tull uni
form, directed the ceremonies and the
Minute Men, in their quaint costumes.
acted as escorts. The invocation was
pronounced by the venerable Edward
Everett Hale, after which Mrs. Fair
banks made an able and interesting
address. The Masons, in full rega1ia,
and with their impressive and solemn
ritual, laid the corner stone. in which
were placed records of the entire his
tory of the Society of the Daughters
of the American Revolution.
This ceremony of yesterday is con-
sidered by far the most successful and
interesting event which the Daughters
have ever undertaken. The sight will
never be forgotten by those fortunate
to see it, and a more conspicuous and
notable gathering of men and women
surely never assembled before The
flying flags, the glittering gowns of the
women, the gay uniforms of the army