Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-26

ISobSib IL IA liS.
ley Mr. Harry l.. Shackelford Mr. George
Mellis and Mr. William Gardiner. The
songs by the former gentleman were most
ly melodies, set to Burns poems, and the
company joined heartily in the choruses.
The instrumental numbers were furnished
by Mr.. William Jardine, a former chief
of the club, who delighted all present with
Scottish selections on the clarinet, and Mr.
Thomas p. Devine, who gave a fine repre-
sentation of the bagpipe on an oboe. Mr.
Charlemagne Koehler gave some excellent
recitations, and Prof Hoskins presided at
the piano.
DR.. Thomas Miller presided as toast mas
ter. and his introductory remarks were
chara cteristic of his best and clever style
To him much credit is due for the spirit
that enlivened the evening and the success
of the banquet. Associated with him on
the committee of arrangements were VIII
liam Jardine, James Crawford. James Nc
Leckie, Robert Low, John Robertson and
John F. AtcVey. The Burns banQuets have
come to be an event of unusual interest
among Scottisi-Americans in this city and
the interest grows with each recurring year
1t was developed in the course Of the ad-
dress of Toastmaster Miller that move
ment to erect a statue to Robert Burns is
not improbable IN the near future. Mr.
Miller declared that he knew MIR. Andrew
Carnegie was ready to support financially
any effort started by the Scottlsh-Amer
cans of this city or elsewhere in the cree
tion of a suitable shaft to commemorate
the life of Robert Burns here. In former
Years movement had been started and
progressed as far as having ex-speaker
Henderson and the late Senator Hoar
ma med as trustees for such a fund, but 1t
had been dropped. There was no uncer-
tain sentiment last evening faVorlng an
awakening of the proposition.
Introductory remarks were made by Mr..
Jo,hn McVev chief of the Caledonan Club
In extending his greetings 10 all present,
Mr.. McVey expressed many happy senti-
ments of the occasion.
Mr.. Irving's Address.
The address of the evening was delivered
by Mr.. Benjamin Irving on the toast THE
Day We Celebrate" 1t was magnificent
tribute to Burns and every sentiment ex-
messed was enthusiastically applauded by
those present Mr.. Irving said In part:
"Frnno the land of the setting sun, where
rnatestically rolls the Oregon, 1t is a far
far cry to the banks and braves o bonny
Doom, where stands the original Burns
cottage-a shrine to which flows con-
.innous stream of visitors from all over the
world What was the meaning of that
model of Burns cottage at the Portland
exposition; what means that unending pill
erirnage to the banks o Doom; why are we
met here tonight to celebrate the memory
of Robert Burns, and why are there similar
gatherings beyond the Atlantic ocean, at
the Pacifc's golden gate; amid Canadian
SHOWS and under Australians southern
cross2 Not because Robert Burns was born
in humble cottage and died in compare
tive poverty; not because. measured in
pounds. shillings and pence his life was
financial failure; and still less because of
his srieyous offenses against the moral law
The faults OF Robert Burns are not to be
glorifed nor even minimized they are TO
be admitted. pitied and deplored. And to
this thought / would add but one word
that he who would make of Burns fes-
tival an occasion or an excuse for dissipa-
ton or excess dishonors his own manhood,
defames the genius and insults the memory
of Robert Burns
II do not propose to tell the story of
Burns life, nor to venture a critical opin-
ion on the work OF the poet. sic flights
are far beyond my power" Time and your
patience will not allow me to enumerate the
many reasons for celebrating the birthday
of Robert Burns: but with your kind per-
mission I will offer two of the three sug-
gestions as to why we honor his mem
ory:
a. Burns was patriot bard
(2) His mind was deeply religious.
80 He was a lover of liberty.
a. He sang the songs of the human
heart.
A Patriot Bard.
There Is one sentiment with which the
Scot is universally credited, and that is fer
vid patriotism. Burns had this national
characteristic In large measure. His mother
we are told had a mind stored with the
oiden ballads and traditions. and from his
infancy Burns drank in the story of Scot
lands struggles for freedom.
Burns patriotism shines out clearly In
that beautiful picture of domestic happiness
and piety The cottar's Saturday Night"
The same spirit, in another form, breathes
out in the "Dumfries Volunteers
But, land o. cakes and brither Scots is
there any song In any language taht rings
with more intense patriotism than Bruce's
address to his army on the eve of Bannock-
burn?
None but free men plow and reap the soil
that gave our plowman poet birth; and so
long as Scots, wha haze" is sung In the