Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-22
Exercises in Commemoration
of 172d Anniversary.
HONOR TO HIS MEMORY
LOCAL PATRIOTIC BODIES HOLD
SPECIAL SESSIONS.
General Observance in the Capital City,
Which Bears His Name,
and Elsewhere.


sular possessions patriotic Americans are
today engaged in celebrating the 172d ami
versary of the birth of George Washington,
patriot and first President Of the United
States. Patriotic societies growing out of
the memories of colonial days. civic and
military organizations, colleges and uniyer-
stiles. people of high and low estate. are
imbued with the one purpose Of doing honor
to the father of his country
Locally there have been many celebra-
tons. with more to come, from the halls
of Congress- where the Declaration of INDIE
pendence was read, to the exercises by pa
triotic bodies. Residents of the city which
proudly bears his name are doing honor to
George Washington, the man, the soldier
and the citizen, while across the river in
historic old Alexandria there is being con-
Quoted magnificent display by military
and civic organizations.
The life and character of Washington has
been subject heavily drawn on by patrf-
otto Americans. not alone since the day Of
his death, but oftentimes and again during
his entire life, which was such a shining ex-
ample to those associated with him and
who got the benefit of his very excellent
advice on all matters pertaining not only
to national and state affairs. but bearing
more closely on the ordinary home life Of
Americas humblest citizen.
Progress of Liberty.
This land Of freedom, established by his
great will and broad determination, has
grown even he could not anticipate, and
this beautiful city, which he planned and
which was at the time of his death but
struggling village has blossomed out into
one of the most beautiful cities not alone
of the United States, freed from England's
yoke by his sword and plans, but of the en-
tire world.
1t is fitting, then, that the national CAPT.
tai should be the scene of many gatherings
to pay tribute to his honor. and this is be-
ing done with hearty good will. The praises
OF Washington are sounded in word and
song Around the banquet board his name
will be the theme of euiogy, while through
out the entire city business is suspended In
order that all may pay homage to the mem
ory OF Americas most DISTINGUISHED citizen
soldier and statesman.
Sons of the Revolution.
With patriotic addresses and stirring
music the Sons of the Revolution celebrated
Washington's birthday in the ball room
of the New Willard Hotel this morning.
Seats were arranged for fully 500 persons.
and almost every chair was filed Behind
the platform erected for the presiding off,
Ger and the speakers was Supended q huge
banner of the order with its blue and buff
stripes. The Marine Band in its full-dress
uniform occupied the musicians balcony.
over the rear end of the room.
MIR. f. p. B. Sands, vice president of the
District branch of the Sons of the Reyo-
luton, presided. He made short address
welcoming the members of the society and
their guests to the meeting and, after
selection by the band, introduced Rev
Randolph H. Mckim, who pronounced the
invocation. Major John Tweedale was
then introduced and read a patriotic poem
After the playing of THE Star Spangled
Banner by the band Mr. Martin A. Knapp
chairman OF the interstate commerce com
mission, was introduced as the orator of
the day.
Mr.. Knapp made an eloquent address. in
which he spoke of the ideals of the men
VINO 1ousht for the liberty of the Amer
lcan colonies and their endurance under
the greatest. stress The patriots of III
were men of iron and will, he declared;
men Oh whom any nation might well be
proud.
The builders of the nation had worked
better than they knew, he declared While
they were sure they We're contesting for
lasting principle it is hardly possible that
they realized the ultimate growth OF tbe
nation they We're founding. Mr. Knapp re-
1erred to the great men connected with
the birth of the Republic and then called
the attention of the members of the socf-
ETY. to the life and Character of George
Washington. This man. he declared was
the life OF the army during the most try
ing period of American history. 1t was by
MS example and perseverance. almost sole
ly, that the army was kept together dur
ing those days at Valley Forge and in the
retreat from New York. He declared that
In Washington the American nation saw
the statesman, the soldier and the man
Above everything else the figure of Wash
ngton towers in American history.
French Ambassadors Address.
Mr.. Knapp was frequently interrupted by
pTl nd
dress the handclapping continued for sey-
eral minutes
Mr.. Sands thanked the orator of the day
briefly for his kindness and for the excel
lence of his address He then said that ona
can hardly think of Washington without
remembering another great man who was
closely associated with him in the war of
lhe reVolatlon- The Marquis de Lafayette,
and the people of France, We're CLOSELY as
ISOLATED with the dearest memories of
American citizens. and IT was a great pleas
ure, therefore, Mr.. Sands. concluded. to be
able TO introduce the ambassador from
France. Mr.. ]. ]. Jusserand
Ambassador Jusserand was greeted with
applause when he rose to speak He made
a very short address. but it was filled with
pie and the bond that binds them tn
France. He said that Washington was
IeVered IN France. He is regarded as one
of the great men of the world
The French people began to love him the
minute they knew him. The alliance of
France and the United States at the time
OF The revolution is one of the things that
the Frenchman likes to remember he de-
clared. He likes to remember that IL was
ms country which first recognized and was
friendly with this nation, which now oc-
cupies so prominent place in the history
of the world
The Military Heroes. y
Mr.. Sands spoke briefly of the military
heroes of the United States after the adj
dress of the French ambassador, and in
troduced Mr. Sam Cross to sing The
Sword of Bunker Hill" Mr. Cross also
sang The Death OF Warren" as an encore
The "Marseillafse" was then played by the
band, during the rendition of which the
entire audience stood. as a mark of respect
TO the French nation and it's representative
in this country. The exercises of the
morning We're closed with the benediction
of Rev. Dr. Mckim.
The president of the local society is
Rear Admiral Henry &. Taylor chief of
the bureau of navigation of the Navy De-
partmcnt Admiral Taylor is out of the
city on an inspecting tour, and could not
attend the meeting. The committee in
charge of the exercises included Mr. Will
liam Stone Albert. chairman; Colonel Green
Clay Goodloe, Colonel Archibald Hopkins
and Mr.. Frank w. Haekett.