Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1909-04-23
THE INVITATION TO CONGRESS.

Ao WIS slaleu 10 the bdIse-ci AN"'
%. o. OsrliU, membe OF the House oil
Representatives from this district, yes
terday extended an invitation to that
body to visit Alexandra on the SOIh In
slant and participate 10 the ceremonies
in connection With the laying Of the cor
nerstoue Of the George Washington
Patk. The invitation was accepted by
the House. Mr.. Carlin in extending the
invitation said:
Mr. Speaker: On the SOlh Of April,
1889. General George Washington was
inaugursted in New York president Of
the United States. it is the purpose OF
the citizens of Alexandria, Virginia, to
celebrate the 120th anniversary OF that
event on the 30th of the present month
by appropriate public ceremonies, and
they have commissioned me to deliver
the Invitation which has just been laid
before the House by the speaker 1t IL
peculiarly appropriate that Alexsndria
should celebrate this occasion. Alexau-
dia was the headquarters Of Washing
toms business operations, as his home
was at Mount Vernon only a few miles
away. His Office, which he designated
lis work shop, was in that city, aud the
busiest hours OF his life were spent there.
He was master OF the Masonic Lodge,
was the civil engineer who laid of the
streets of The city, and the principal
residence street bears his name. The
church in which he worshipped is there,
and the pew he occupied is still pre-
served. 1t was 10 this church ySrd
that the American republic was borD.
II history be true, one Sabbath morning
after services In that little church,
Washington and his associates held \
conference and determined upon revo-
luton. This meeting shook the British
throne, and established this republic
now numbering 10000, 900 souls. The
greatest boon that God has given to
man, namely, human liberty, was
brealhed into existence that Sunday
morning. Applause History has re-
corded with some degree Of certainty
the subsequent events in the career OF
Washington, bat | do not believe that
suy event, either In his history or the
history Of the country, could have been
fraught with more good, more hope,
and yet, more uncertainty, than his
frat Inauguration. The city Of New
York, 10 which he took the oath Of Office,
then numbered less than 80, 900 people.
1t was a great city even at that date
Washington's journey from Mt. Vernon
10 New York, with the quaint method
Of travel which was in vogue at that
time, WAS Taught with scenes and Incl
dents showing the real depth Of affection
of the American people for this man,
which scsn's have never been sxcelled in
the civilized world. The ancient city OF
Alexandria has every year since the
death of Washington celebrated the
anniversary of bis birth, and the 22nd
day OF each succeeding February since
1899 has witnessed in that city some
appropriate celebration 10 horror Of bis
birth. These occasions, like the one to
which you are invited on the 30.h OF
this month, have been free from COM
mercisl and industrial associations aud
purposes, and have been designed not
only to do honor to the fist citizen OF
America whose home was In their
midst, but for the purpose Of inspiring
10 the youth of the land q patriotic de-
votion to country aud TO home.
[ Applause. | have hoped to live to
see the day when the ideals Of Wishing
ton shall be realized, and our people
shall be cemented together with no
thought OF any foe save from other lands;
that there may be no north, no south,
no east nor west, but one grand, glorious
America for us sill. [ Applause There
are no people with higher conception
of duty, with higher ideals of manhood,
nor more splendid wouanhood than the
people OF the city Of Alexandra, all OF
their ambitious and hopes being based
upon a splendid aud patriotic past.
Applause.1 This Invitation is extend
ed to you as the representatives of the
American people. and 10 effect invites
you to come snd join in doing honor tO
the foremost citizen OF the world, the
man whose magic sword brought in
to life human liberty aud human rights;
the man whose character furnishes an
example and inspiration for the youth
Of the ages which are TO follow, whose
performances are matchless, whose
memories are immortal. Loud and
prolonged applause. hope it will be
the pleasure Of this House to accept the
invitation.