The Washington times., 1905-04-17

Under the shadow Of the great Wash
ington Monument it stands on site In
close proximity to that upon which
George Washington University win
stand. while directly north Of it is the
Corcoran Gallery of Art. Amid such
surroundings the Continental Hall took
It's place today as structure destined
to become one of the great buildings Of
Washington. not only by force OF ira
ditions 1t represents, but because of its
architectural beauty as well. Every
feature bespeaks some phase of the
American struggle for liberty. particu-
larly the thirteen columns that support
the south portico each of which repre-
sents an original STATE
Today's exercises marked also the as
sembling of the fourteenth congress of
the D. A. r., which will continue
throughout the week.
As Mrs. Fairbanks, the president gen
eral of the national society. said in her
dedication address today. the memorial
represents the realization Of an idea
that was advanced at the first reaeting
Of the national body fifteen years ago,
when a resolution WEs introduced pro-
viding for raising fund to build a
memorial which should be tie home of
the national society. The realization.
said Mrs. Fairbanks. surpassed the rosi-
est dreams of those who inaugurated the
work that resulted in the erection of
Continental Hall.
Exercises Were Simple.
Today's exercises were simple, but
deeply impressive. Continental Hall is
not finished, but a week or more has
been spent on the auditorium, which was
beautifully decorated with American
flags, flowers and evergreens. The
floor and the galleries were crowded
with enthusiastic regents and delegates.
while the stage and several boxes above
it were filed with the speakers of the
occasion and distinguished guests.
The exercises opened with the en-
trance OF Mrs. Fairbanks, who was es-
oorted down the aisle and 20 her posi-
ton on the stage by Col. NJ A. Winter.
of the Minute Men. Following her We're
the national officers.
Among those on the stage were Right
Rev. Henry Y SatIerlee, bishop of
Washington, the Rev. DR.. H. Pereira
Mendes, minister of the Spanish and
Portuguese congregation, of New York;
Senator Dolliver, Ambassador Jusser-
and of France, Bishop Earl Cranston,
Cardinal Gibbons Lieutenant General
Chaffee and his staff; Commissioners
Macfarland and West, Brig. Gen. John
M. Wilson, General Sternberg. Colonel
Fleming Bernard r. Green. James
Knox Taylor and Charles c. Glover.
The back o. the stage was beautifully
decorated with the flags and banners
of the rationaE society. Suspended from
the wall directly back OF the president
generals chair we're large cards bear
ing the names of the presidents general
of the society in the order of their
service. They We're Stevenson, Foster,
Manning, and Fairbanks.
Salute to the Flag.
All the PRAYERS and speeches offered
We're In patriotic vein, containing many
a,lusions to the work Of the women OF
the Revolution. After Bishop Satterlee
had delivered the invocation the whole
assembly stood and sang America,
accompanied by the Marine Band. The
American flag was brought In at the
head of q line of children, who saluted
it from the stage.
Following this a prayer was delivered
by the Rev. DIR. MendeS. Next on tne
program was Hail Columbia, by
male quartet, Percy s. Foster at the
piano.
Ovation to Mrs. Fairbanks.
When at the close of the patriotic
anthem President General Fairbanks
came forward to make her address, She
was greeted with storms of applause by
the congress, which arose en- masse 10
receive their chief officer. Mrs. Fair
banks paid high tribute to the work
that had been fcae toward raising
money for the memo. ial, and spoke of
the pleasure it must give every Daugh-
ter to be seated for the first time under
the national society's own roof.
Welcome to New Home.
Mrs. Fairbanks said:
I'VE thrice welcome you to the dedi-
cation of Memorial Continental Hall,
our society's greatest enterprise, the
symbol of Its work and spirit, whose
sDoorstead' we have faith to believe has
+" "A Intel low enough to keep out
pomp and pride,