Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-04
DAUGHTERS TRIBUTE
Rousing Patriotic Time at
Continental Hall.
PROPULSION OF FLAGS
READING OF CERTIFIED COPY OF
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
President General Mclean in Happy
Mood--Address of Mr. Andrews
The Committees.

What was aptly termed patriots meet
ing" of the National Society of the Daughters
of the American Revolution was held tod ay
in Memorial Continental Hall, on nth
street near northwest. AS guests of the
Daughters there were present members of
the societies of the Sons of the American
Revolution and the Sons of the Revolution
Mrs. Donald Mclean. president general of
the D. A. r., presided, and the exercises
were so replete with patriotic references
that they must have aroused love OF
country within heart of stone.
The hall itself was a glowing tribute to
patriotism. for the walls and stage were
draped with profusion of flags and bunt-
ing upon a background of greens. The
stars and stripes We're everywhere, and
large oil painting of George Washington.
loaned by the War Department. was sus-
pended behind the chair of the president
general framed with palms from Alabama
and Porto Rico.
In the course of her address Mrs. Mclean
declared that the Daughters of the Amer
lean revolution have rendered the use of
the Memorial Continental Hall to President
Roosevelt for the meetings in Washington
of the Russian-Japanese peace ENJOYS! T his
announcement was greeted by prolonged
applause. The meeting also was made the
occasion for the presentation to the ID. A
r. by Mrs Olivia Briggs. well known in
the literary world through her writings an
der the nom de plume OLIVIA. % "A mag
nificert bas relief Of George Washington
made from death mask taken at Mt. Yer
non by celebrated French sculptor. The
bas relief was presented to Mr.. Briggs by
th, French artist. and Mrs. briggs has
watched over 1t carefully for twenty-five
years. Mrs. Briggs was introduce to the
members by Mrs. Mclean, ana the speech
of presentation was made by Airs. Elizabeth
Johnston.
a certified copy of the Declaration of In
dependence. The words of this famous
document were read by Colonel E. B. Hay.
William E. Andrews. auditor for the
Treasury Department made the address of
the day. which was responded to by Mrs.
Mclean. Mrs Mclean was never in hap
pier mood. and by clever references and
quick repartee kept her audience in a con-
tinual good humor, and this. coupled with
the enthusiastic expressions of patriotism
served to make the occasion a memorable
one.
Mrs Mclean entered the hall on the arm
of Rev. J. Nevett Steele. D. D., vicar of Old
Trinity, New York city. one of the most
historic places of worship in the United
States. In presenting the copy of the Dec
laration of Independence. the president gen.
eral said that she did not wish to refer pri-
marily to the Daughters Of the American
Revolution. nor to the Sons, nor even to
the distinguished guests present. but ito
that marvellous document which bears wit
ness to the birth of the American repub-
lic."
I'm the name of.the D. A. r.. and in my
own name president general of the d.
A. R., do 1 give to this Memorial CONT
mental Hall, to have and to hold forever
more this copy, which, in addition to the
names of the distinguished statesmen who
signed 1t on July 4. 1Il6 bears the valued
signature of the late Secretary of State,
Mr. John Hay. The signature of Mr.. Hay
is in certification of the fact that this Is
true copy of the original Declaration of In
dependence.
Reading Declaration.
The reading of the Declaration followed.
and Col Hay was interrupted time and
again by the applause of his hearers.
The singing of America" by the entire
audience was followed by the address of
Mr. Andrews, who spoke eloquently and in
terestingiy. His references to the deeds of
John Jaul Jones. "a citizen of the United
States of America" were enthusiastically
applauded
Mr.. Andrews Address.
Mr. Andrews said In part:
ut is fitting that we celebrate the natal
day of our national independence. 1t Is
one of the greatest epochs In human al
fairs. Beyond 1t lies the history of the
kingdoms, monarchies. empires and dynas-
ties Of the old world. On this side of 1t
lies the history of free institutions, the
marvellous developments Of the last 129
years.
I'm your thoughts enter old Independence
Hall; listen to the original reaoing OF the
immortal Declaration of American lnde-
pendence which has just been read so elo-
quently In our presence today. Think or
the emotions that Swayed the multitudes
thronging the streets of Philadelphia on
that memorable occasion. Washington in
the field at the head of the continental
army joined with the delegates from the
colonies and the people throughout the
country in urging the adoption of dec
laration of independence as necessary ba-
sis of national warfare.
Even now there seems to come floating
in from the soil Of the Old Dominion the
eloquent words of Patrick Henry saying:
Give me liberty of give me death
while warfare is not always a pleasant
theme for meditation, the vaor and victo-
ries OF nations soldiery are sources or
inspira ton to its people. In the light or
our national history we can note the genial.
uplifting influences Of American woman
hood In the midst of military strife from
Lexington to Santiago. While the women
of the land may not have welded the
weapons of warfare on the firing line. they
have moved forth with gentle ministra-
tons of mercy and kindness through hos
pitfalls and on fields of carnage and nursed
the enfeebled soldier back to health and
strength and thus enabled him to stand
forth again to fight the battles Of his coun-
try. American SOldIery. THINK or IL IN
contrast with former centuries. While 9TH
ers fought to maintain crowns upon the
brows of monarchs and military chieftains.
American soldiery fought to place and
maintain crowns of freedom upon the
brows of American citizens. The woman
hood of the ancient world passed through
the darkness of slavery OF body. intellect
and SOUL but American womanhOod has
been advancing toward higher civilization
and a wider sphere of intellectual civil
and religious freedom.
Washington and Jones.
when, In all the history of the world
was the sword ever welded more justly and
brilliantly than by Washington on the
land and John Paul Jones on the sea?
Lieut. John Paul Jones was the first to
hoist a flag over an American war fleet: he
was the first to unfurl the stars and stripes
over an American warship and carry our
national colorS in salute before the navy
of foreign power. Note his dauntless
courage yonder the little Ranger In his
triumph over the Drake. and also on the
Bon Homme Richard in his victory over
the Scraps. His daring exploits frightened
England and excited the wonder of the
world. II he could have had one of our
frst-class modern warships. he might have
been able to capture the British islands
m