Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-22
OLD GLORY FLIES
IN BRISK BREEZE
Honor Paid Memory of Father
of His Country.
NATAL DAY ANNIVERSARY
Birth of George Washington Occur.
red IT'S Years Ago.
CELEBRATING WITH FERv0R
Functions by Local Organizations
Hatchets and Other Reminders in
Evidence on All Sides.
CELEBRATING WITH FERv0R

One hundred and seventy five
years ago today George Washington
came into being in a homely Vir-
ginia farmhouse in what is now
Westmoreland county. The celebra-
ton OF his birthday anniversaries be-
gan few years after the death of the
great American liberator, patriot and
President, but for a while interest in
the event Jagged and the celebrations
were not general. Then came the
civil war, and at its close greater
significance than ever was given to
the occasion, because of the emanci-
patton of the slaves and the welding
together in stronger bonds than ever
of the states of the Union which
had been brought into existence
through the valor, endurance and
suffering of Washington and his
small army of American fighting
men.
Again the people Of this republic realized
the full meaning of the work OF Washing
ton and his men, and Congress wisely made
the birthday of the continental comma nder-
in-chief legal holiday, and the world took
notice that America was not forgetful
Next came the war with Spain, exempIi-
flying the great principles for which WASH
ington fought and suffered-human liberty
and freedom from tyraDncal oppression.
That conflict won by the American arms
after a short, sharp and decisive struggle,
the United States became the world power
1t Is today and an impetus was given to
the oppressed OF other lands to strive for
the goal that has been reached by this
country along lines Of freedom for hui
mainly from thralldom Of all kinds
The aggregate result is that George
Washington is recognized the world over
as the great apostle of human liberty and
his very name has become the hope and in
spiration Of peoples who are still under the
iron heel of despotism. 1t is recognized
that the incentive for the United States to
reach its present greatness and power was
given in the first instance by the handful
Of Americans in their uniforms of buff and
blue who so successfully waged the war OF
the revolution against powerful Great Brit
ain, the mother country.
Celebrating With Patriotic Fervor.
Hence. in the year 1907, the American
people are IOuHu ceieDTdtlUR with
fervor the anniversary 81 the occa sion
which gave to the world George Washing
ton and the manifold blessings that have
followed in his wake. Here at the CAPT.
tai. named in honor of the great statesman
and soldier. there Is added Zest to the cele-
brations, and the magic of the name Of
Washington is fiuttered into the atmosphere
from the hundreds of American flags that
are flying from housetop, from STATS mill
taly posts, public buildings and river craft.
The patriotism inspired by the first COM
mander-in-chef Of the American forces has
become contagious, not alone here In the
capital city, nor within the boundaries of
the states of the Union, but away beyond
the seas, where all eyes are directed to
'Old Glory" the living sign and symbol
Of human emancipatfon-the hope of the
present and pOsterity.
Following their annual custom, the men,
bers OF the influential Association of the
Oldest Inha bitants of the District of Co
lumbia remembered George Washington and
his great service as patriot, soldier, states
man and President today and held their
usual patriotic exercises. including the read
ing of that great instrument for good. the
Declaration of Independence.
Over in Alexandria ''the Is alive
with patriotism, as venerable Virginian
expressed it. BY coincidence the date for
the holding of the annual encampment of
the Department of the Potomac, g. A. r.,
fell upon Washlngtons birthday this year,
and the significance OF that fact Will be
in; at Grand Army Hall this evening. when
Chief Robert B. Brown will
be the guest OF honor.
Hatchets and Other Reminders.
George Washington hatchets and other re-
minders of 1.-The father Of his country are
in evidence on all sides in this dty today.
There are miniature cherry trees, fac SMILES
Of the Mount Vernon Washington mansion,
and other things Of that kind to remind
everybody that the occasion is the l7oth an
niyersary of the birth of the great Ameri-
announcement Is made that patriotic
services will be held by the Junior B. Y.
P. U. Of the Fifth Baptist Church TINS
evening National song drill, recitatIons
a nd a number of speeches Will constitute tho
The Daughters OF the American Revoiu-
tion of this city went to Alexandra To-Day
upon invitation OF the Daughters s,s .Ie rbnrcS
Rahbi Simon announces a lecture this
evening at the regular Friday evening sers-
ion upon the subject, "ashingtons
The Navy League Of the United States
session at the New Willard. during which
references were made to the great pccom-
nlishments of the first American navy IN
The stirring days OF washington anu uASr
American revolution.
Exercises Held Yesterday.
The program in the public schools OF the
District Yesterday formed distinctive ana
impressive feature of the celebration OK
birthday. The exercises were
Ill pitched In high key OF PATRIOTISM ana
he tenor of the speakers was not "lest we
oreet." but because we remember" In adj
y,tiou 10 the school services published by
rhe Star yesterday. Others are given here
With.
At the Webster school Mrs. Ellen Spen-
er Mussey, dean of the Washington College
# Law, and a member of the board OF edu-
ICnntinnod an EN1hfh PAGE