New-York tribune., 1905-04-18
D. A. R. CONGRESS OPENED
Continental Memorial Hall Dedi-
cated-First Business Session.
IFRoM THE rR1puNE BUREAU !

aShIHBton, April 1I-TO-daV was a Slgnincant /
one Tor the Daughters of the American Revolu- i
ton. The fourteenth annual congress of that So
ety Tor the first in its history assembled beneath
IT'S own roof within the walls of Continental Hail.
me structure though far from complete presented
a pleasing and In many respects a satisfying pct-
ure TO the women whose efforts have brought 1t
into being
After dedicating the hall with appropriate and
Impressive ceremonies in the morning. the congress
settled down to the work Of the week this after
noon Nominations and elections OF the president
general and other officers slated for Wednes-
day. and the thoughts OF the delegates centre on
tnat DAY. There much anxiety to-day to see
the three candidates for the highest office. Mrs.
Donald Mclean. Mrs. George NJ. Sternberg and
MIS- Charles Warren Lippitt. and. the members
took their places this afternoon, there were many
Inquiries as to where these seated
The first reference to this engrossing subject was
made by Mrs. Fairbanks, the outgoing president
general. in the address with which she opened the
congress this afternoon. In alluding to the sup
port the society has given her. she said And l
bespeak for my successor 6e generous,
whole hearted support-my successor whoever she
may be-" she added impressively. The most
notable and significant feature Of the day was the
prolonged applause given to Mrs Mclean, when
the roll OF the chapters called this afternoon
When the exercises OF dedication began the hall
was nearly fied with members Of the society and
their friends. Despite the unfinished condition of
the structure the arrangements for the comfort
and convenience OF the delegates and others in at
tendance were admirable. The auditorium was
beautifully decorated, the basis Of the decorations
| Being great American flags Around the galleries
and across the of the stage were strung
festOons of smax. while at each side of the stage
and at various places about the hall beautiful palms
ard evergree rs were placed artstically. The names
| OF the States OF the Union were bordered with
wTeaths placed on the balcony front and on the
rear OF the stage. The auditorium. including the
| gallery, will seat about three thousand persons.
The ceremonies were elaborate and interesting
/ France in the person Of the Ambassador OF that
country Joined hands with America in the exercises
| as it had Joined hands with the coonists IN the
days of the Revolution and the occasion was
| marked by earnest enthusiasm
| Mrs Fairbanks was escorted into the hall by the
/ lst Regiment of Minute Men. acting as a guard OF
/ honor AS she passed down the main aisle, in the
| personal escort of Colonel S. Bromwen and Com
| rnander Cameron MGR. Winslow. of the navy "Ilo
| were directors of ceremonies, she was recelveu oS
the members of the society standing. the orchesTa
| op the Marine Band playing '"lGe Star Spangieo
| Banner The Right Rev. Henry Y satteriee
Bishop of Washington pronounced the
The assemblsge sang America uhoer tre . Ieaus-
| shin Of the band. and the Rev Dr. IL Fele''@
| Mandes minister OF the Spanish and portuguese
| CopRregation of New-York, led in prayer
MRS FAIRBANKS ADDRESS.
After Hail, Columbia" had been sung by a male
| Quartet Mrs Fairbanks delivered her address sne
| welcomed on behalf OF the society. the dlsuh-
| Quished guests present. and then gave OrleL re-
| view OF the history OF the Memorial nan PloJoN
| She said It was a tribute of gratitude 10 the pro
| noters Of the War OF Independence and their gen
| erous hearted allies from across the sea- ana u
tbos. brave soldiers who had turned the struggling
colonies into a vast Republic. 1t was deemed mo-
| oniv a duty but Joy, to corsecrate the nan =
patriotism and with strength of purpose ana glow,
| ing enthusiasm the structure would De cohPieleO
| as a memorial 10 those who had builded the he
| public. and It should stand always as mute ex'
preston of American justice and American hu
manity.
Senator Jonathan p. Dolliver. OF Iowa, delivered
an address in which he paid eloquent tribute te
| American womanhood. and particularly to the
women whose energy. enthusiasm and patriotism
had enabled them to erect this lasting monument
which he said had been created out Of the dust OF
the earth by fifty thousand patriotic women ne
| suggested that one OF the objects Of the society
ought 10 he the preparation OF thorough and com
plete history of the United States Then he said:
You have created here university Of American
patriotism You are g9mg TO ers 1 are mere rea s
| uring the thought that our fathers and mothers
abIe thereby to erect this great country I an
particularly GLAD that Ambassador ;JusSerand t
an opportunity TO see and to understand how tn
century We appreciated the help France gave u.
| in our time OF need, and the people OF America
for that great community across the which
has made 80 much for the best and wisest develop
ment of Europe.
NJ JUssERAND SPEAKS FOR FRANCE.
After The Marseillaise had been played by the
Marine Band Ambassador Jusserand was intro
duced by the president general. He was cordially
received by the members of the society and re-
sponded in a brief address, in which he paid a
glowing tribute to womanhOod. and particularly
TO the women Of tho Revolutionary days. He said
he had recently received letter from the daughter
! ~ the French sculptor, David dangers in which
she had requested him to inform the Daughters OF
the American Revolution that it was her purpose
soon 10 present to the society replica in bronze
of the bass-relief the pedestal OF her fathers
statue OF C;utenburg on which grouped about
| nftv Of the more famous Americans Of the early
davs Of the Republic. He said: