Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-22
IN MEMORY OF WASHINGTON
Citizens Meet to Pay Tribute to
Father of His Country.
PATRIOTS DESCENDANTS MEET
Oldest Inhabitants Celebrate the
Day and other Bodies Contribute
Share of Eulogy.

Ett-ElvIngS OF Christmas. the I'D or FeD-
ruary. the anniversary of the birth of
George Washington has come to be re-
Earded in the light of a memory day-a
time for patriotic retrospect and looking
backward over the bright and glorious
pages of American history. Its celebra-
tons therefore take on more of the quiet
and dgnified. but always in an atmos-
phere of the purest patriotism.
The valorous deeds of the American
soldiers in buff and blue who followed the
varying fortunes of the revolution under
the lead of Washington the general and
patriot; the magnificent accomplishments
of the early American statesmen under
the guidance of Washington the Presi-
dent. and his family life in the shade of
the great trees at Mount Vernon are re-
called in "A sort of patriotic panorama
when February 80 rolls around
Many object lessons are presented to
the American youth on this eventful
day. and even the older folks can find
much of love of country and human
freedom TO apply to the changed Condi-
tions of the present era.
Here in Washington, named for the i'm
mortal first figure in American history.
the day is of peculiar significance. and
in bygOne days was celebrated with con-
siderable eclat by marching troops and
urbs, where the Declaration of Independ-
ence and Washington's farewell address
-were read and other ceremonies held.
But at the present time the celebrations
are confined largely to indoor meetings
and patriotic parties of various kinds.
Patriotic Bodies Meet.
The Association of Oldest Inhabitants
and the Sons and Daughters of the Revo-
luton and other societies in their 22d of
CRY of Washington and his noble deeds
by their annual celebrations. Today was
no exception to the rule. and there were
Washington meetings i'm many places.
while Old Glory f1oated upon the breeze
from thousands of Washington housetopS
and f1agstaffs.
Many Neutrality-suspicious. hied themselves
IN Alexandria to witness the big patriotic
display there and the streets of this city
bore somewhat Sunday aspect. Tonight
there will he other celebrations here and
February %. 1908. will end i'm halo of
Americanism, it is predicted.
Mr.. Kidd's Address at q. p. o.
In his address on George Washington
and patriotism at the government print
ing Office celebration yesterday noon Mr..
Frank A. Kidd said:
What is patriotism? 1t may be defined
as love of country, a willingness to lay
ones self on the altar of his country,
and no matter what the occasion, no
matter what the cost, to see only the
stress and necessity of his native land
Names of great men who lived and
breathed and had their being in the dear
love of country are writ large on every
page of history. but in ali the annals Of
heroic action and self abnegation no
name stands out so conspicuously or in
such splendor as that of George WASH
ington.
HE is the ideal patriot. In every land
and in every tongue his praises are being
sung today. by the poor and meanly clad
sons of the far east and the rich and
gorgeously arrayed masters of industry
in old England. AS time recedeS his
name gathers fresh luster, for the reason
that Washington is synonym for the
highest and purest patriotism. The text
books of European schools devote more
space to Americas greatest character
than to Gustavus Adolphus, Cromwell
Napoleon or Wellington.
patriotism inspires to noble action 1t
moved Robert Emmett. when about to
have his young life crushed out by I'M
holy order of the state, to say, Let there
be no inscription upon my tomb: let no
man write my epitaph.' for 1t was his
firm belief then, as it is the belief of all
men now, that he died for Hbery and
justice. higher sacrifice no man can
make Patriotism impelled Gouverneur
Morris to cast his immense fortune into
the common fund to gain the independ-
the poetic Patrick Henry to cry out in
the fmpusye frenzy of his Irish SOUL
i am not a Virginian; l am an Ameri-
can.
Not Confined to the Great.
Patriotism. however. is not confined to
the great. nor to those who have carved
their names high on the tablets of fame.
The truly patriotic are to be found in
every walk of life-in the cottage and
palace. in homes where comfort and cuI-
ture abide and about the humble hearth
stone where poverty sauats Indeed, the
most patriotic are the millions of meager
means. They see the naughty rich ap-
parent1y without care or thought of the
countrys veal, parading a too often Ill.
gotten wealth. and continue to revere the
flag and obey the laws of the land. These
are the bulwark of the nation Col In.
Eersol] said no man would shoulder a
musket and go forth to fight for "A boa rd-
ing house. but that every worthy citizen
would defend with his life's blood the
home of family. kindred and friends
Nor is Patriotism confined to the stern
er sex History is replete with the names
of noble women who performed great and
valiant deeds for their country's sake
Joan Are. out 'of love for God and king
and country, gave her young life for
what she conceived to be her duty. Bet
sy Ross, ont of pure patriotism. gave to
America this splendid emblem of liberty
tine Re0. Whlte ana Blue. And what
Americans heart does not burn with pa
triotic fervor when he remembers the ex-
clamation OF brave Molly Pitcher at the
hattie of Monmouth. and for which brave
service the immortal Washington made
her "A sergeant In the army and put her
name on life's pay roll.
One View Of Patriotism.
We are prone to view patriotism
through a long classic view it as of the
distant past. But patriotism is close akin
to duty; and if faithful performance of
duty placed a man i'm the list of patriots
long ago. faithful performance of duty
will place you there now. Can we regard
an employe of the government as being
patriotic who shirks his work. who does
only what he is spurred to do. who en-
deavors To get as much pay as he can for
as little effort he can? Can he lay
claim TO the possession of patriotism who
fails to give the utmost of his capacity
and talents to the country that supports
him to the flag that protects him?
Friends we who work for the people
are IN duty bound to give to the people
the best that is in us-today. tomorrow
and every day. And thus bear evidence
To the fact that we truly love our coun-
i et our object be our country. our whole
country and nothing but our country
and. by the blessing of God, may that
country itself become a vast and splen-
did monument. not of oppression and ter
ror. but of wisdom. of peace and of lib
Prty upon which the world may gaze
r,t,l fiou forever -