The Washington herald., 1908-02-10

the honor Of paying tribute to his dead
leader and friend in his capacity as
priest.
Corporal James Tanner, register of wills,
followed with an eloquent address on
Father stafford. the Patriot"
To Rabbi Abram Simon, of the Wash
ington Hebrew Congregation, came the
opportunity TO show of what little mo-
ment are tenets and cTeeds in the con-
sideration of mans attitude toward his
| felIoW-men, and TO the topic The Phi
lanthrOpist" the speaker lent the force Of
his eloquence and sincerity in what was
perhaps. the most remarkable address OF
the afternoon.
Closes the Addresses.
The task Of closing the programme OF
addresses fell TO Senator Albert J. Bev-
eridge, Of Indiana. 20 whom had been al
lotted the subject THE Orator" and
whose words brought the food OF brilliant
oratory to an appropriate conclusion.
Senator Beveridge suggested that the
citizens Of Washington should erect a
statue Of Father Stafford.
It had been announced that the doors
Of the theater would be opened At $50
o'clock, In order to Siry ti,e early comers
"a chance TO secure their seats. Long be-
fore > o'clock, however. the sidewalk i'm
front OF the Pennsylvania avenue en-
trance was thronged with those eager TO
gain admission. By o'clock the side
walk the length Of the block was packed
and the line extended around the corner
to street, The crush became such as
to necessitate the opening Of the doors
AT 3.fJ o'clock
There was a rush for the entrance that
nearly swept the employees OF the theater
and the Gordon of police off their feet.
In less than fifteen minutes every seat
in the theater had been occupied and
standing room had become "a matter Of
inches.
Many Could Not Enter.
The order was given TO close the doors.
which WAS difficult. owing to the crush
and the pressure Of the masses outside.
and an a few moments those on the side
walk found themselves barred from en-
tering by the big glass doors and d squad
or regretful but firm officers Of the law.
Meanwhile. the members Of the general
committee for whom chairs had been pro-
vided on the stage. were arriving at tho
stage entrance, where they .were ad-
mitted on special cards By ( O'Clock
everything was in readiness for the com
mencement Of the exercises. In the front
row Of chairs on the stage sat the speak
ers. with Commissioner Macfar1and the
chairman for the occasion. I'm the center
and the Vice President and Speaker Can
non on either hand. The speakers table
bore great vase Of roses and lilies
Suspended from the flies hung a large
gold-framed photograph of Father Stat
ford. lighted by shaded string Of electric
light globes
Behind the chairs Of the committee were
Lieut.. Santelmann and large section Of
the Marine Band Orchestra. The exer-
cises opened with the beautiful Chopin
Funeral March" played magnifcently
by Prof Santelmanns musicians.
Commissioner mcfarland opened the
exercises with an Introductory address.
outlining the purposes Of the gathering
and paying high tribute to the dead priest
and citizen.
Address by Mr.. MacfarIand.
Commissioner Macfarland said.
Washington is not ungratefuI It is not
forgetful. as some have charged. of serv-
ice done to It. Cities. like individuals
know that they cannot afford to be indif-
ferent toward those who have served
them Public appreciation, public graft
tude. public praise, are a just stimulus as
well as reward for public service. It does
the city good. not only in its conscious
ness, but in inducing future self-sacrific-
ing service. 20 gratefully commemorate
the past services of a citizen.
To-day We assemble In the name of one
who not only served the city, but was
the friend Of all. without regard to race
or creed. In this. as in every such case
We ought TO have shown more honor 70
the living. but at least We can now DO
our best TO show honor TO the dead.
On the 25d of September. 1901. we as
Sembled in this very house 20 express our
feelings as a community upon the death
of the third of our martyrcd Presidents
None Of the tributes to the good. great
statesman was more eloquent. patriotic.
or impressive than that of Dr. Stafford,
which he had to repeat to the great over
flow meeting outside Now that Dr. Stat
ford is the theme of another memorial
meeting. I recall his service that day as
typical Of all that he did for us
1t was inspiring. il was ennobling, il
was Illuminating; it was given with gen
erous devotion and loving fervor.
But it was the spirit in which DR. stat
ford responded TO every call of civic duty
Continued on Pasc 4, Column 1.