Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-13

The name and memory of Abraham Lin
| coin formed the magic talisman which
attracted to the Church of Our Father
last evening an audience said to have
been the largest ever in that house of wor-
ship The main floor and galleries were
| crowded to the walls and many persons
were turned away from the doors unable
| to gain admittance. The life story of Lin
| coin was told in glowing words by vice
President Fairbanks, Speaker Cannon,
Representative Dawson of Iowa, Col. John
McElroy, Harry A. Colman and others.
The occasion was the annual celebra-
| ton of the anniversary OF the birth OF
Abraham Lincoln by the Department OF
the Potomac, G. A. R., and the United
States Historical Society, assisted by the
Woman's Relief Corps. The interior of
the church was profusely decorated with
American flags and flowers. and on the
platform were the old-fashloned settee on
which Lincoln was wont to rest at ms
home in Springfield, H., his quaint Old
rocking chair and other articles, loaned
for the occasion by Capt Osborn H. Old
royd, late of the goth Ohio Volunteers.
Remarks by President Colman.
After the United States Marine Band
had rendered THE Stars and Stripes For
ever" President Colman of the historical
society called the assemblage to order.
He spoke of the presence of the veterans
of the Grand Army, lauded their work ana
said the name OF Lincoln would ever be
closely associated with that of the g. A.
r.. He then presented Col. McElroy, past
vice commarder-in-chief of the &. A. H.,
as the permanent presiding officer.
I'VE are met to add fuel to the fires
of patriotism and loyalty" Col McElroy
to nj a
love for our country, its institutions and
it's great men, .
Attention, comrades; parade rest, -
Chairman McElroy directed. The old sol
diers and the others in the audience arose
while divine blessing was asked by Rev.
John Van Schaick.
Commander Ferree of the Department
of the Potomac, G. A. R., next addressed
the audience. He said it was em1nently
fitting that an organization that made
history-the G. A Rand an organization
that records history-the United States
Historical 'Society-should unite in cele-
brating the memory of the great Lincoln,
who had given his all that his country
might live.
| "To the soldier" Commander Ferree
added. "he was Father Abraham, and
we have assembled here to glorify his
lovable character and seek wisdom in his
teachings"
The audience sang America The
members of the Womans Relief Corps.
headed by the district president. Mrs.
Isabel Worrell Ball, then marched into
the auditorium to the strains of a military
| march. gave the salute to the flag, and
then lined up on either side of the audi
forum.
Representative Dawson Speaks.
After the rendition of Grand Army med
| legs by the band, Representative Dawson
was presented the son of a major of
the Goth Iowa Cavalry, and member of
the United States Historical Society. Mr..
Dawson remarked that nothing that can
be said in these days can add to the fame
of Lincoln, and that the world will al
ways remember his service to the cause
of human liberty.
Mrs Annie Grant Fugitt sang with
splendid effect ''Oh. Divine Redeemer."
accompanied on the organ by Stephen
Kubel Col. John A. Joyce. the soldier
why Should the Spirit of Mortal Be
Proud?" and Prof. Jasper McFall sang
Song of Thousand Years." the audi
ence joining In the chorus.
Mrs. Ball gave the Toast to the Flag, !"
and spoke of the patriotic work Of wom-
en-. 1.-The greatest battles of the world -
she said. had been fought in the walled
up precincts of woman's heart
Mrs. Cornelia Ross Potts sang 1.-The
| Star Spangled Banner" accompanied by
the band and in response to an encore,
| The Red. White and Blue Past De-
partment Commander George H. Stay
| baugh Of the G. A. r. read portions of
| Lincolns second inaugural address.
Ovation for Fairbanks and Cannon.
The arrival of Vice President Fairbanks
| was the signal for storm of applause.
| He had just begun his address when
| there was a commotion near the main
| door, and some one announced:
| Uncle Joe Cannon is here"
Another storm of applause followed
and when the two distinguished men
clasped hands on the platform few mo-
ments later the storm broke out afresh
and both were given an ovation. With
| smile the Vice President greeted Speak
er Cannon, remarking:
| HE is the modern Abraham Lincoln
Address by Vice President.
Vice President Fairbanks, among other
| things, declared that "for more than two
score years the name of Abraham Lincoln
has filed the eartn, and there has been
in that important period no other which
so fully commanded the respect and ad-
| miration of the world When he died
| the world wept at his bier.
| He was compelled to walk in new and
untried paths, beset with countless dan
gers, and no one but a strong man, a
man of faith and power and spotiess pur-
pose, could have carried the country so
safely through the dangers which beset
her. He was great in his modesty and
modest in his greatness. He stood for
| the principles which are enduring He
was obliged to solve great problems.
| Abraham Lincoln was much maIigned
| the Vice President added being the object
of abuse scarcely paralleled in history
Continuing. he explained that Lincoln
never spent his time upon non-essentials
His name is now pronounced with pro-
found reverence, with admiration and
gratitude.
| 'How like the irony of fate it was that