Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-26
PAY TRIBUTE TO BURNS
ANNUAL REUNION AND BANQUET
OF THE CALIFORNIAN CLUB.
Occasion Marked by Scottish Songs
Poems and Stories-The Addresses
Feature.

f1OOt mon!
Yesterday was the 145th anniversary Cd
Robert Burns birthday. and right royalty
did the Caledonian clansmen of the District
observe the occasion. "Wi' merry sangs and
friendly cracks they gathered around the
banquet board at Hotel Reuter- last evening
and, according to custom. paid loving trib-
ute to their country's poet.
1t was the annual reunion and banquet OF
the Caledonian Club. whose feasts of reason
and flow of soul have long since been recog-
nized as conspicuous events in the District.
An Oil painting of Burns draped with flags
hung prominently on the wall and the fes-
tive board and CHEEKY air right well sug-
gested "Sit round the table weel content,
an stir about the toddy."
DR.. Thomas Miller. chief of the club pre-
sided as toast master. in which duty he
cleverly wove wit and humor when he call
ed for songs and speeches.
The banquet was shorn of customary for
malties, the program of addresses and
music being given as the courses were serv-
ed. A carnation lay at each guests plate
and about fifty guests were seated.
Mr.. William Jardine reverently invoked
the divine blessing with a bit of Scotch
verse. Mr.. John Russell followed with the
song. Bonnie Scotch Thistle which was
sung without accompaniment and with the
real Scotch flavor.
Music was the feature of the evening and
upon the presentation of each speaker he
was greeted with the song by the company
Hes jolly good fellow" Solos were rem
dered by Mr.. Harry L. Shackelford of Burnt
Cork Club fame: Mr.. James Painter and Mr..
William Gardiner. The songs were inspir-
ing and provoked hearty applause.
But it was when the notes of the piper
fell upon waiting ears that the enthusiasm
of the company reached its climax. Pipe
Major David Brunton entered the hall play
ing 1.-The Campbelis Are Coming" and he
was cheered to the echo Mr.. Jardine play
ed very sweetiy a number of favorite Scotch
airs on a clarionet. Prof. SALESMAN render
ed several piona solos, and Noah Zeller
added variety to the program by a song In
German, which caught the humor of the
company.
Responses to Toasts.
The toasts were we'll selected. instructive
and interesting. The responses were heart
lily applauded, and a decided relish was
added by the clever Interpolation of an
original poem. Scotland and Burns" by
Mr.. ]. II. Stevenson. 1t was a beautiful
bit of verse, whose theme was discussed
with charm and expression peculiar to a
Scotch poet Mr.. Stevenson reads an origi-
nal poem at each annual reunion. and this
years contribution added much to that
genius and oratory for which he is already
known.
The following is the program of toasts
and their responses:
AHc udy we Ccieufdtcs " Inc iDunOTldl
memory of Burns" Clansman "Scottie"
Smyth: 1.-THE CALIFORNIAN Club" by Robert
L. Cameron, the Oldest member of the club
who was suffering with such a cold that he
could respond with but few words; .sThe
land o'cakes may her future be as gio-
rious as her past" Ciansman w. c. Barr:
Our adopted country. the home of thou
sands of good Scotsmen and better Ameri-
can citizens Clansman Robert Armour
veteran of the civil war, who served in the
18th New York Volunteers; 1.-THE President
the executive, not the ruler, of free peo-
ple,' Clansman A. E. L. Leckie and ..The
Lassies: She elects without voting and gov
ems without law was responded to very
neatly by song, Green Grows the
Rashes." by Clansman James cutworth
The Addresses.
An address was made by Mr.. James Dun
can of the American Federation of Labor
which was inspiring to every Scotsman
present. Mr.. Duncan said he represented
over two m llion American citizens, of whom
liberal percentage were Scotch or of
Scottish descent. He had travelled to many