Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-15
APP0MATTOx DAY CELEBRATED
COMBINED WITH GRANT CIRCLE
Anniversary.
Address by Members of Local G. A.
r. Organization-Flag
Drill a Feature.

4 pretty picture. formed of a profusion
of flowers and flags was presented last
night at Grand Army Hail on the occasion
of the joint celebration of the seventeenth
anniversary of L. S. Grant Circle. Ladies
of the G. A. r., and Appomattox day.
The walls and windows were concealed by
the folds of American flags. while the
platform was banked with roses and
other blooms of spring. Mrs. Emma
Randolph. commander of L. S. Grant
Circle. presided and delivered a most
cordial address of welcome.
Before the ceremonies were opened an
nouncement was made that Department
A. r. had arrived. accompanied by Senior
Vice Department Commander Edwin II.
Holbrock. Junior Vice Department Com
mander Henry A. Johnson and Chief
Mastering Officer John G. Maynard. The
officers were escorted to the platform by
a detail Of color bearers. while the au-
dience applauded.
After delivering her address Of welcome,
Mrs Randolph called upon the chaplain.
Mrs Mary f. Houtaling. for the opening
over to Mrs. Barringer. chairman of the
enterta inment copmittee. A picturesque
flag drill and series of marches were
next given by the ladies of the |. W. b.
Flag Association, led by Mrs. Elizabeth
Robbins Berry. Mrs. Christine Walton
Dunlap and Mrs. Goundie. The evolutions
of the company were frequently ap-
plauded.
Discusses "Appomattox."
The firstspeaker was Col. John McElroy,
past senior vice commander-in-chief of
the G. \. r. His topic was "Appomat-
tox.' and he said the civil war Is forty
three years away. yet it is too near to
fully realize it's heroic features. its sacri-
fees and its thrilling incidents. 1t was
the only war on record, he continued, that
kept at the front for four years mil
lion young men. ut has far more
exalted interest than any war yet waged,
he said 1--WE are just beginning to APP
precate it's lessons. We who partici-
pated in that great war can scarcely
comprehend its vastness."
Col. McElroy declared that just prior
to the surrender at Appcmattox Gen:
Lees soldiers fought like maddened
the lawful winter Of 1S64-5 in Lees
camp The end came with thrilling
and picturesque spectacle. He spoke OF
Gen. Sherman's mistake in making terms
of surrender with Gen. Joe Johnson and
declared that had those terms stood I'VE
today" In conclusion he said physical
power must necessarily be brutal, but ii
is terribly conclusive.
The Flag His Theme.
Col. John S. Walker, commander of the
Department of the Potomac. G. A. r.. was
the next speaker. He took as his theme
The Flag" and said the tri-color O.:
the American republic is an inspiration
and a hope for the peoples of the world.
1t is ever and always the perfect picture
l,;In tI1 Of
the Republic lis the grandest organization
under Gods bright sunlight" Col. Walk
er Complimented the ladies upon their
splendid flag eXerc ses.' and said love Of
Old Glory means much for tine veal OF
this country in particular and humanity
in general He lauded the western ar
mics, which he explained. had first made
Gen. Grant a great man and brought out
his abilities. thus making Appomattox
possible He urged the American soldiers
better manhood and womanhood. taking
as their emblems the cross of Christ and
the flag of the American Union"
\ paper by Gen. f. w. Whitaker on
"AppOmattOX and Its Lessons was read
by Capt. j. Walter Mitchell, national his
prefaced the reading by an address in
which. he paid tribute to the veteran SOL
diers and sailors of the civil war. Mrs.
Christine Walton Dunlop read a paper on
American soldiers, described the lessons
of the surrender of Gen. Lee and those
of the war with Spain, and expressed the
hope that the day Is not iar distant when
the Mclean house at Appomattox, now
being purchased by patriotic women will
be turned over to the government and
stand for future ages as Mount Vernon
and the Betsy Ross house will stand, that
the children of the future separations may
learn the lessons it teaches
Musical Numbers.
There were musical numbers by Mrs
Berry, director and Miss Carrie Garfield
accompanist; tenor solo, Charles Howath
violin solo. Miss Louise May Farron, &C.
companied by Miss Jane Walker; con-
tralto solo. Miss Faye humphrey; song,
c. \. Woodhead; recitation, Col E. b.
Thompson; tenor SOLO Lucius +. Ran
dolph
Al the conclusion of the program re-
freshments were served and a social half
hour followed.
\ striking incident Of the evening was
that at the very moment when forty
three years ago President Lincoln was
ia tally shot in Ford's Theater it was an
nounced that April II was the anniversary
of that tragic event.