Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-02-27
FIFTY YEARS AGO
IN THE STAR

The equestrian statue of George WASH
ingt0n. the work OF Clark Mills. which
stands at the intersection
Warrington Of I'D street and Pennsyl-
g. vania avenue, was I'M
S0' yelled and dedicated Feb
ruary q. 1880. with an imposing military
parade and elaborate ceremony. The Star
Of that date devotes the unusual space Of
four columns to the affair, following it the
2Sd with two columns in addition. There
was q general suspension OF business
throughout the city and great crowds as
sernbled along the line Of march and In
the neighborhood OF Washington Circle.
The day was unpropitious. with lowering
clouds In the morning, which finally
broke and soaked the multitude. The
procession was composed Of the fth Regi-
snent OF New York. the Reed Rifles OF
Chestertown, the Baltimore Knights
Tempiar, the Alexandria Riflemen. the
Sun fire company OF Baltimore. the Perse-
verance. Metropolitan, Union and Frank
lin fire companies Of Washington. the
Masonic lodges OF the District, marines
and troops from the Washington armory
and the following volunteer military or
Cadets. washington Rffes. National
Blues, Union Guards, Montgomery Guards.
washington Light Infantry. Mounted
Corps and Presidents Mounted Guard.
Also in line were the Charles County
(MarylandD Mounted Volunteers.
The grand marshal at the parade was
Maj. Gen. Thomas 8. Jeeup. Z. 8. A.
In the procession were the President OF
the United States, the heads OF depart
ments. members Of the House and SEN
ate, judges. members Of the diplomatic
corps. local officials, survivors Of the war
Of 1872 and the war with Mexico and
various local organizations and societies.
The orator of the day was Thomas S.
Bocock of Virginia.
The occasion did not pass without fric-
ton, for some Of the members Of the 7th
Regiment Of New York
Unpleasant conceived that they had
0.A been aggrieved by lack
SVanAioAe' of sufficient attention on
the part of the local officials and citi-
zens. and this feeling went SO far as to
call forth a speech in the House Of Rep
resentatives by Mr.. Carter Of New York.
The Star Of February % says:
I'VE hear that many members of this
admirable corps expressed themselves
much disappointed with their reception
here, after being especially invited by
committees Of Congress to- participate IN
the proceedings of yesterday. Thus at
moments notice and at heavy expense
to themselves. they. left New York and
were not assigned the right Of the pro-
cession. Nor were any of their officers
invited to places on the stand while the
ceremonies of the occasion were In prog
ress. Again no ball or reception-usual
on such occasionS-has taken place in
compliment to them. Such are the al
legations.
Now we are very sure that no dis
respect toward them was designed. The
late hour at which they reached Wash
ington-after all the arrangements for
the procession were made-accounts for
the failure to tender them position on
the right The terrible state OF the
weather. the awful crowd around the
those things were doubtless the cause
why the duty Of inviting their field Of
ficers upon the stand was forgotten.
1T was not known here that the regi-
ment designed favoring us with their
presence sufficiently long beforehand to
permit the District military to get up a
ball or indeed any other entertainment
than the bountiful collation. for 1000
souls which was duly spread out in the
District armory. The delay that took
place in the inauguration OF the statue
prevented the visiting military from eat
Ing their dinner there as was intended:
turning that entertainment into a very
desultOry supper party and defeating the
purpose Of making it the occasion of
complimenting the 7th Regiment and the
rest of the troops from a distance, ac-
cordfng to their deserts. We are very
sure that all here interested In the pro-
ceedings of yesterday heartily thank all
the soldiery from other points participant
ing for their attendance and are disposed
to do their best to render their visitors
as comfortable and happy as possible"
Later 1t was ascertalned that the Of
f1cers Of the 7th Regiment were. In fact,
invited to take places on the stand, and
that the invitation was courteousy
acknowledged, but declined.
The House Of Representatives having
broken the long deadlock over the speak
ership. found itself I'M