Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-07-04
Bronze Tablet Unveiled
at the Decatur House


permanent bronze tablet on the ancient
and historical Decatur House at Jackson
place and H street this morning were
opened by music by the LIST Infantry
Band, n. c. D. c. The invocation was
by Rev Ulysses G.. B. Pierce. chaplain
of the United States Senate. DR.. Marcus
Benjamin. vice chairman OF the perma-
nent committee on marking points OF his
toric interest In the District OF Columbia.
made the opening remarks. preceding the
unwilling of the tablet. Henry B. F.
Macfarland, former District Commits
sioner, was the principal speaker.
las the first marking by Congress Of
an historic spot in the National Capi-
tainty that it is but the first in . long
series until all prominent sites are 50
marked, this is significant occasion.
We, who have especially desirsd that
erected for the beneft Of citizens and
visitors through all the future and to
the honor Of the city, are especially
gratiied that Congress has begun ana
will complete the work. and that it has
mittee with its special zeal and know5p
edge and it's record OF patriotic services
in the temporary marking OF such places
in former years. In thus preserving by
memorials the fame of great men and
great events threatened by the flood Of
years we are serving the future as well
as the past, and our country - well rs
ourselves.
Many Famous Tenants.
This house bearing always the name
of the gallant, brilliant. successful, young
Commodore Stephen Decatur. although
he died in 1t only a year after he built
it. was aptly chosen for first honors as
the first house on this historic square
and as having more famous occupants
than any other. Decatur as naval hero.
as it's builder and because of his untimely
death at thirty-one when brought back
to 1t from his duel With Commodore Bar
ron at Bladensburg, stands out above
all the rest. But the others make = re-
markable list.
Henry Clay when Secretary Of State
from 1895 to 1870: Martin Van Buren,. as
Clay's successor, Secretary Of State from
| 1890 to 1881: Edward Livingston, as Van
Buren.s successor; Secretary Of State
| President from 1S45 to 1s49 Judah p.
| Benjamin. senator from Louisiana, from
| 1856 to 1861. are the more notable OF the
| anti-bellum days. Edward r. Beale. dis.
the last of the line. Merely to mention
| the names recalls a host of political and
| social memories covering practically the
| history of the National Capital and the
greatest events In our national lie.
| Looking to the Presidents house with
which 1t had such close relations. the De.
| catur house, II IL could speak, might tell
today the unwritten history of many ad-
ministrations besides reminding W Of Ill
that has been recorded"
Prize Fight a Disgrace.
The Jenries-Johnson fight at Reno to.
day came in for a severe arraiEnment 81
/ han 90
not mention the fighters by name. but
referred to the contest a. 4 barbaYou.
dissertation of the nations birthday. The
reference came at the conclusion Of hi
address.
and sane celebration Of independence
day." said Mr.. Mcfarland. I'VE celebrat,
| the ascent of man from barbarian an<
| slavery. Every step of that creates
of all fights for what we call civilization
| is marked with sacrifice. Our revolution
| was a political step, our civil war {
| moral step In that progress upward. Tn,
| revival Of barbarism at Reno. which
| desecrates the nations birthday, will.
| trust. be the last Of It's kind. 1t repre-
| sents what our race has been hghtint
| calamity and successfully against. In Ii
| contribution to the progress OF the world
We are standing for the noble ideals o
the republic consecrated by the nob(
/
| nation the leader Of all nations In tn
| ascent Of man from the degradation AM
| in wretchedness Of barbarism. That age
| long effort demands the highest heroisn
| and all the greatest fighting qualities o
our nature. and promises to reward no
only us but all the people Of the future
| From free lust. free murder. free rob
| berry. cannibaiism and the grossest super
stition, man has fought his wsy ufide
the leadership OF the great to the reis1
of law. of order. Of learning. Of religion
| Of true liberty. all blood bought an,
priceless. Let us hold fast. yes, let u
1 advance the progress OF our race
| Chairman Van Wickle's Address.
i Music by the band was followed b,
the benediction by Rev. DR.. Pierce. TIL,
presiding ofYicer was W. p Van Wickle
chairman Of the committee. who in hi
address said:
!, I'm the fall of 1902 the Grand Arm,
7 held it's encampment in Washington
2 B. II. Warner. as chairman Of the loca
G. A. r. committee. appointed q sub
committee to mark with Temporary tab