The Washington times., 1910-07-04
In the Mad Bag
Fourth of July, 1910.

( A retrospect of 100 years recalls so
icial and political conditions in Wash
lington that have been almost forgot
ten, and reminds Us OF the unparal-
Ileled progress made during the cen
fury. At that time the young Ameri-
can nation was struggling with serious
internal dissension and the eumity Of
the two great European nations. SO
confident was the general public OF a
disruption of the Union that wagers
we're openly made and taken as TO the
date when II would occur But the
country was prosperous nOtwithstand-
ling, and t. only required the right
( touch 10 again FIRE the national pa
triOtIsm-
owing 10 the amlabIe mistake Of
1 the British envoy the foreign cloud
had been lifted Tor brief period in
1903 and the observance Of the ami
versary OF independence had then
/ been notably Joyous and brilliant
/ throughout the country. In marked
( contrast July 4, 1910. in Washington
vas lowering and gloomy; a cold,
+ cherries T1m fen from dawn till sun
set TIE political horizon was equally
Icbscurei- Cor Eress not being in ses-
SION. the r1eubers who formed so
[ large portion Of society had re-
turned 20 their distant homes. the
usually lively. boarding houses were
closed of pnicIaIdom. only tie Presi-
IdeEt. To- Secretaries Of state and the
( Treasury, the Postmaster General, and
/ a few resident chiefs of bureaus were
i'm the city.
/ National salutes from :Le Navy Yard,
Barracks and Market square usheTed
/ in the Indictment day. During the morn
ms tn District militia pabSded m the
/ square north of the Presidents house.
greatly to- the OBLIGATION Of abe spec-a-
! tors. Many citizens assembled at %
/ O'Clock an -he new Baptist meeting
house at ri. eteeuth and I streets 10
I liste7 90 the reading OF she Declaration
/ of In@eren feEce and 20 an Grafton b.
I young Eoyert Polk. This proved
( TO De an eloquent, patriotic address. IN
1 40 way inferior 30 the famous effort
I of Dr. Joel Barlow in 1873 il may Ue
( read ia the Intelligence today. The
I points made were Freedom IF elections
: and Of tho press the federation struc-
! ture % our Government self depend
/ cuce as . nation the universal diffusion
/ CT knowledge
! At noon the doors Of the President
/ house were opened 90 all WHO wished
{ TO pay their respects. 90 tire President
and his lady Servants waited at TIC
/ entrance 90 let down she STEPS Of the
+ coaches and 90 raise umbrellas above
/ ,Ee fair occupants, others reminded
J cErcie=s pedestrians Of the ample scrap
I C-s ;.r5 uats-sidewaIks bad not then
B been laid orel tire cIiuriuz clay
I once WITHIN the IoSDitabIe mansion
4 political and physical conditions were
I forgotten Each guest. no matter What
1 his standing. received "a cordial vel
/ come from the President and his queen
Z Iy. beautifully -oU1eI wife. the peer
+ less Polly. "lf.e Queen ef Hearts Who,
with Jest and merry laughter. liEhteued
tho cares or state and carried sum
shine into the hearts Of al her guests
Delicious retre=zueut VAS 5Cunufuiiy
. served. Tire lions az the day were un-
G1ubted1v tEa newly arrived Russian
envoy and suite none of whom could
/ speak "a word of English. Long after
Airs. Madison uol-d recall tie iucideE'
with tears or laughter
on retirluz from tre reception gentle
; men generally went either 20 the "Cift-
zrr. r.rurrr-." at LONGS Hotel, or Cd
1.-THE Republican banquet at Lindsay s
lat both there were patriotic toasts, re-
izpousss. music. and cannon Among the
guests were tae Russian minister and
suite. heads cf-Ge-ar-uents. Governor
claiborne. Of louisiana Major Genera
Wilkinson Of the army Major Lewis
lana H-. Joel Barlow According % tHs
IIuteIf-yurer. 1.-THE utmost harmony and
lmIartv prevailed
Many private dinners and evening
inzrtfez were given The President, witt
itEe ladies' of his family. were the guests
Ior or Barlow. at EaIorama- There tht
i-cnIeueu fingered long over their wine
discussing grave matters Of state, Will,
the ladies enjoyed the usual game o.
cards
ON the return the eoacrman. blinded
Inv the lightning, mistook the way. and
driving over an obstruction. had thi
misfortune 20 break TIE forward axle
which occasIoued tedious delay an,
transfer to another coach in furioU.
storm Of rain
~ the washington THeatFT. by par
iticular desire IN honor OF the day
special program was given, consisuB.
iof q play, spectacle. musical specialties
and "a cCuic opera The chronicle
|stated- patriotic and conviviaI pleasure
irci-ncG, and the day terminated without
.auv incident calculated 20 damp tEe gen
eral 5ov-- That was before the era. o.
tine toy pistol and cannon cracker
CORRA BACON FOSTER.