Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-19
A CEN TURY GO
INDEPENDENCE DAY IN WASH
INGToN IN 1905.
Jefferson Was President and Robert
Brent Was Mayor Of the Nations
Capitol.

Just exactly one hundred years ago on
the Fourth of July of that blessed year 1sOo
Thomas Jefferson was President of the
United States of America and Robert Brent
was mayor of Its capital city-now such a
beautiful city. 1t was in all truth a place
of magnificent distances. but then 1t was
also a town with deep navigable streams
about it. Big ships could unload their car
goes at it's wharves and even go miles up
the Eastern branch to load with precious
freight Any schoolboy ten years old could
tell how long the war that resulted in Civ
ing the country its independence had been
over.
The Fourth of July one century ago
dawned upon Thursday. and the people
were happy. In the several important cities
of that period in New York, Baltimore,
Wilmington Alexandria. FrederickStown.
Richmond and Petersburg, the inhabitants
resolved to celebrate the day. The citlzens
of Washington were foremost IN TINS De
termination It was intended to be gala
occasion and 1t was. In the eastern skies,
even before the sun peeped over the hills
of Maryland. the demonstrations or JOY be-
gan There was grand salutation In honor
Of Americas Independence day from the
artillery Of the old arsenal. the joyous peals
OF bells from the churches and elsewhere
joining in to swell the chorus of delight
People got up early in the morning brim-
full of the ardor of patriotism and devout
thanksgiving fer their freedom from the
rule of kings. They were themselves the
sovereigns.
Services in the Churches.
r Services were held in various churches
these places of worship were then known
here as meeting houses. and one posted
notice previous to the fourth made known
the fact that:
ION the Fourth OF July the Rev. William
Wood will discourse suitable to the occa-
sion ut the Baptist meeting house at .
o clock am. There will also be service at
candle light in the evening"
At O'Clock on Independence day morn
ing the colers OF the national vessels that
had congregational that were in these
waters-in the fine harbor about Anacostia,
were raised amid salutes al the navy yard.
The ships Were all gaily dressed and pre-
scented beautiful appearance The militia.
in brand-new uniforms and much Srander
toggery than our milt;amen wear today,
paraded and met with the plaudts of all.
Fair women crowded the few windows in
the few houses along Pennsylvania avenue
and waved their compliments to brave SOL
diers. There were several attachments OF
these militia companies and they We're a
deservedly proud and valiant crowd of SOL
der men.
At noon the cannon at the navy yard
roared out midday welcome to the gori-
Gus early anniversary of American inde-
pendence, and once more the city bells re-
newed their clang of rejoicngs and sounded
their paens in lively tones.
At this same hour grand company called
on the President. This company included
all the government officials at the capital
distinguished strangers and numerous citt-
gems not in official station. and their con-
CALCULATIONS to the President were warm
and hearty The President responded to
them and expressed his grateful apprecfa-
ton to his friends and callers.
A Dinner at stelle's Hotter.
One feature Of the day and a most inter-
esting event It was. consisted of dinner
given at Stelles Hotel. It began at 4
o'clock IN the afternoon. Mayor Brent was
In the chair and welcomed the diners The
toasts-and there were eighteen of them
were In the most patriotic VEIN AS each
one was drunk It was followed by dis
charge OF artillery and patriotic air by
the band. A list of these toasts is inter-
esting. They were:
l. The Day. May Its effulgence through
revolving ages shine as unblemished as on
q The People just to themselves.
grateful to their Observation-Disclosures
Doodle.
g. The Constitution of the United States.
Our own free choice and the noblest monu-
mcnt and virtue OF free people.-Wash-
ington March.
4 Thomas Jefferson. the penman of the
Declaration OF Independence. Felicity to
him whose whole life has been devoted to
the happiness OF others.-Jefferson's March.
Franklin Once associates in glory: now
participants IN bIfss-Roslin Castle.
G. The memories OF the deceased states
men and heroes OF the revolution May the
independence they achieved and their own
glory be imuaortal-10Ath Psalm.
z~fn Sav-oserv .saS f~af4n