The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-10-20
OF INTEREST TO WOMEN.
AS THE DAYS PASS.
by FRANCES JAY.

OF the many striking personalities
brought together by the sessions OF the
international Humane Congress, probably
there is none more interesting TO Wash
ingtonians than that of Peter Goelet
Gerry. not only by reason Of his own
achievement and what his immediate and
distinguished forbears have done for the
cause Of humanity, but for the influence
OF his ancestor who represented the eoun-
Try as Vice President and whose grave
has been within this city for nearly a cen
tury. Elbridge Gerry. OF Massachusetts.
or all the quaint and beautiful stones IN
Congressional Cemetery, there is none
more noteworthy than the one erected
IN memory OF this faithful servant Of HIS
country for It bears a practical sermon
On It's time-wOrn face that has impressed
three generations Of onlookers. for Vice
President Gerry died at his post, in hts
carriage, on the way 10 open the Senate.
All his life he had been wont 20 say that
1t is the duty Of every citizen, even II
he have but one day TO live 20 devote
mat day 10 the service OF his country"
so with peculiar appropriateness, remem-
bering the manner OF his death IN har-
ness. his friends had this rule OF his lsfe
craven on his monument, so Il can truly
be said that "he being dead. vet speak
eth" Those OF Elbridge Gerry's own
blood seem 10 have taken the maxim 10
heart. 10 judge by-their unceaslng labor
along the line OF duty. for they serve best
their country by conserving the strength
Of tho future citizen. and they render that
service as heartily each day as II they
had but one day in which 10 do the work
for all time
Speaking Of stones IN our wonderful
old -Congresslonal-the most
unique Gods acre" In the world, by the
way, for it is the only one in existence
designed in honor Of dead politicians,
where, after the fitful fever Of life. they
could find quiet sleep their last bed 10
be furnished and adorned. II those awful
cenotaphs can be called adornmeuts. al
their governments expense, reminds me
Of broken promise 10 the city that the
easy-going Capital seems 10 have over
looked, The matter OF the removal OF
the body of George Clinton, predecessor
Of Elbridge Gerry in the Office OF Vice
President. who also died here in Office
and was buried in Congressional Gene
terry with great pomp nearly 100 years
ago. is still fresh in the memory Of all
II seemed rather hard that the distin-
guished dead should be disturbed after
being so well guarded here. but II was
represented that as he had been the first
governor Of New York State II would be
a graceful thing TO relinquish the ma
uonal claim in favor or tie natural de-
sire OF Clinton's State TO honor his mem
cry To recognize the faithful care Of
the honored dead for ninety-six years the
cemetery was promised a bronze tablet
10 mark the vacant site Of the IoEE-used
grave Two years and a half have
passed, and as yet there is no sign Of q
memorial 10 take the place Of tie nine
ton stone that so long was one OF the
attractions OF the cemetery The only
reminder OF the removal Is the sounding
rod hanging on nearby tree that was
used in finding the exact location OF the
grave. as the stone above the grave had
far oyer-lapped the required six feet.
Though the promise may never he kent
and the green sward be unbroken by any
memorial, it will be long time before
the wonder OF the dislnterment is forgot
ten, and the marvel Of . brain that still
permitted analysis after more than ninety
years disuse viii not soon be forgotten.
nor the fact that 10 one man was ac-
corded two imposing funeral professions
through the streets OF Washington. and
not one actor in the first procession was
alive az the second. Il does not seem
that fame is so transient a thing after
all, does 81?
Those Of us who have friends taking
part in the annual riding test are CRATE
ful so the weather man for hls forbear-
ance, even II he did misbehaye on the
offstart Some OF us rather envy those
who have a chance 90 ride through the
October woods In the wine-uke air Of
this charming season. one or the Off
GERS who is now resting on his laurels
was speaking Of historic rides. and wish
ing some sort Of glory might attach 10
the brave efforts of those taking the
test; for an endurance test Is made I'D
OF logged determination. from which the
thrill OF adventure IS sadly lacking. and
though il requires real courage 10 keep
going hour after hour. mile after mile.
when one IS out Of training, IL isn't the