Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-08

Christopher Gadsden in the early days
when there shall be no moro New Eng
landers or New Workers. but all Ameri.
cans In Washingtos this effacement OF
other than national allegiance has al
ready been accomplished In Washington
Americans from all sections meet and
mingle losing state and sectional preju-
diceS and becoming in all Things Amerl-
can and national.
1--WE are proud to be Washingtonians.
proud to be Oldest Inhabitants, and IN
the course of the natural and inevitable
development of the years to come we can
foresee the time when citizenship in the
capital of the great republic, freed from
dsa bilities no longer necessary to be I'M
posed in the public interest, shall De the
reasonable cause of far prorouhoer
pride than that felt in his home city by
any other American under the stars ana
Stripes, or by any other patrlot, ana
enthusiast in all the world.
In presenting Commissioner II. B. F.
mcfarland, the next speaker. MI MOVES
remarked that the 'patriarchs Of the
city, its grandfathers, will listen with
pleasure to the words of wit and wisdom
Of City Father Mcfarland"
Commissioner Macfarland's Response
Commissioner Macfarland responded as
follows:
II congratulate YOU. Mr.. President,
upon the association. never so large, so
young. so handsome; I congratulate the
association upon its president. twentieth
century man. if he was born in a former
century than whom no one has done
more for the National capital. Naturally
we all think of his father whom we
loved and revered and who was devoted
celebrations of Independence day at his
country home, when there was no other
celebration at the National capital. We
remember all his service through many
10 YIra6 11of
people have shown their gratitude, in the
notable memorial meeting and In the
subscription which will place in the en-
trance of the District building a noble
Training School for Boys a beautiful
window. These men are typical members
of your association. Your membership
is typical of the citizenship of the Ma
t1onal capital.
Washington's Civic Pride.
You have been called patriarchs; you
might well be called patriots. From time
to time l have to meet the ignorant
charge that our people are lacking in
public spirit and civic pride. Fortunately,
that charge can be met easily with our
record Our people have sent more than
their quota Of volunteers to every ma
tional war. have given more than their
quota to every national calamity fund,
maintained the District Of Columbia for
seventy eight years and are now cheer
fully paying half its expenses while all
the rest of the country pays only the
other half. We have every reason to be
proud of what has been done. especially
in the last thirty years. and notably since
our centennial celebration In 1900
Everywhere in our country there is
new pride in the nations city. a, new de-
sire to see it made perfect, and new de-
sire to live in it. Its exceptional PRIV
ileges attract exceptional people In in
creasing numbers. / am told that there
are $500 girls in the boarding schools,
larger number than anywhere else. Schol-
ars and scientists must come to study the
archives. the Libraries and the collec-
lions. Everybody wants to see Washing
ton and most visitors want to stay here
because of our exceptional advantages.
The future is assured. Pessimlsts may
croak, but at most they can only hamper
the wheels of progress. Optimists like
you young men will push those wheels
together in the future, in the past. to
make this capital in every way the best
on earth.
Gen. Wilson Notes Some Contrasts.
After the outburst of applause which
marked the close of the Commissioners
address. Mr.. Moves presented Gen John
NJ Wilson. U.S.A., retired former chief
of engineers.
Zone of the guests tonight was born
in Washington the POSTMASTER said.
land has been many times connected
with philosophical movements for the
e e5ys wsf 3asn n P w.on him to you
II feel highly honored to be asked to
come here and tell you of Washington.
of the past, the present and the grand
possibilities Of the future Of the National
capital Gen Wilson remarked in be-
ginning his address As to his own stand
ing in the gathering he said that he was
born in Washington over seventy-one
years ago. that his father was born here
father came here to live over 121 years
ago He said he has had the honor Of
shaking hands with every President of
the United States since President Tyler
ment to the United States Military Acad-
envy was signed by Jefferson Davis and
that his first commission i'll the army was
signed by President Lincoln.
development of the city in the last sixty
years?" he asked. Sixty years ago it
was sneered at as the city Of magnificent
distances. with only one paved street, no
telegraph or telephone or street railway
systems Today think of our position as
the most beautiful city in this or any
other country
After relating some stories illustrating
his comments on the city's development
he closed with an eloquent plea for fur
Let us work for our city and our
homes" he said. Even though we are
old we can sow the seeds of patriotism
among our young people. Let us scatter
these seeds of happiness and contentment
among our people and the welfare of the
city is assured. With faith and work we
can go ahead.
The next speaker. Gen. George II. Har-
ries, was introduced as q "strapping Wig
orous infant from the associations view
point"
Gen. Harries' Tribute.
Personally. I have an interest in this
association that Is not small" Gen. Har-
ries said. after speaking in a humorous
vein. while 1 am charged with youth
time will remove that charge and I will
reach the age Of discretion. have been
trying day by day to become old enough
to achieve active membership in this as
ISOLATION.
Your POSTMASTER has suggested that
l tell you something about Washington
and Washingtonians. It would be bring
ing Goals to Newcaetie for me to speak
about Washington to you who have been
80 much identified with the National
capital. You know more about Washing
ton than do You have seen 1t grow into
what 1t IL.
May 1 say a word about Washington
and what 1t has done In an Individual
sense? f1rst knew the city In 1880.
Since that time I have had no friend
more truly or more near a brother than