Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-05-20
MANY SPEAKERS EXTOLN1s
ONCE white HOUSE QUEEN
Observing the 140th Anniversary of
Her Birth.
ANNUAL MEETING PROPOSED
Mrs. Clark, Wife of the Speaker of
the House, Presides-Mrs.
w. ]. Bryan Responds to
Principal Toast.

Feminine democracy-wives and daugh-
ters of prominent leaders in the party
founded by Jefferson. women whose opin-
ions as well as family ties affiliate them
with the principles Of democracy-sat
| down at table for the harmony break
| fast In honor OF Dolly Madison at 1
O'Clock this afternoon. at Rauscher's.
Politics. economics. history, suffrage,
Journalism. the sex and many other SUBJ
1ects to the fore in this day OF philo-
sophie speculation were considered by
| numerous orators. There were between
Tour and five hundred guests. No men
were present save the walters and the
relocated members of the Marine Band
Orchestra up in the gallery hidden behind
| palms.
The hostesses were the wives and
daughters and descendants OF democrat
ic statesmen. Their guests were as many
as they chose to provide for at table.
| Bunting OF the national colors and
many palms and cut flowers decorated
the big dining hall. The orchestra, be-
sides an extensive program Of patriotic
| music. played airs popular in the days
when Dolly Madison was the first lady Of
the land.
Eminent Families Represented.
Mrs. Champ Clark. wife OF the Speaker
OF the House of Representatives, presid-
ed at the guest table. On her right sat
Mrs. William Jennings Bryan. and on her
left Mrs. Judson Harmon. wife Of the
Ohio governor with presidential aspira-
tions.
A table was set apart for the lineal and
collateral descendants Of democratic
Presidents and Vice Presidents.
RaDrNSenfQ0 II foh
the families OF forty-four senators, 220
members of the House of Representatives.
twenty governors of states. four justices
of the Supreme Court, forty-five national
| members and governors-elect
The harmony breakfast celebrated the
I4Oth anniversary of the birth of Dorothy
| Payne Madison. It was the initial po-
\ Itical gathering at table Of women, and
was Intended to be perpetuated by
| meeting OF the same character on the
same day of every year.
Mrs. Clayton's Address of Welcome.
| Mrs. Henry d. Clayton. wife of the
chairman Of the judiciary committee Of
the House Of Representatives as chair
man Of the executive committee for the
harmony breakfast" welcomed the
| guests.
Mrs. Clayton said:
Our honored guests. permit me. on be-
half Of the ladies who planned this festal
occasion. to greet you most cordially. In
deed do we give you hearty welcome.
and hope that you yourselves may derive
as much pleasure from being with US as
we do in having you as our guests.
Ladies, this is a patriotic gathering.
| II the observance of the birthdays of
| George Washington. Thomas Jefferson.
James Madison. or any renowned Ameri-
| can soldier statesman serves a wise
| a
| character and conspicuous virtues of
| good and distinguished woman is equally
| as wise. and is of equal public benefit.
1T is the woman. the mother. who
molds the character Of the patriot and
statesman. It is the mother, the wife,
sister and daughter who teaches most ef-
| iciently the higher ideals and inculcates
the broader patriotism and the more ele-
waited and better individual and national
| life. Therefore il is not too much for US
| to say that We believe the inspiring In
| fluences which have brought us here to-
day are as lofty and as useful as those
| influences which bring any of the Ameri-
| can people together in celebration Of the
| life and character or any great American
| soldier or political leader. All honor to
Dolly Madison and this occasion, and.
again. heartiest greetings to our guests.
Ladies, allow me to introduce to you
| the charming woman who originated the
idea of this celebration. To her efforts
and personal influence must be attributed
+! a very large part of the credit for the
| success with which this occasion is
crowned-Mrs. Robert c. Wicklife or
Mrs. Wickliffe introduced Mrs. Clark
as presiding officer and toastmaster.
Mrs. Bryan's Response.
Mrs. w. J. Bryan was assigned to the
principal toast. Dolly Madison-tolerant.
brave. popular"
James Madison-man is but half with
out a woman was the toast to which
Mrs. A. S. Burleson of Texas responded
Mrs Judson Harmon spoke TO the
theme: Women of the Cabinet-the best
example is required Of those in high
station
In part Mrs. Harmon said:
I'VE are hearing a great deal these
days against special privilege and we,
as loyal democratic women. are not rec
reant to this vital protest of our party
Il mean our husbands party as women.
we belong to no party as yet in this part
of the country when We glory in the fact
Of our special privilege, to prove to others
our belief In this principle as expressed
by 'noblesse obiige.' and which we con-
slider good democratic doctrine, and
should rejoice to see adopted as our
motto-for isn't 1t also true democratic
doctrine to disregard all artificial lines
Of distinction, and isn't every woman. be
her purse light or heavy, her position
humble or exalted. a woman Of the high
est stations prOVlQeQ-anQ nereS the rub
provided she is noble I'm heart and pur-
pose, IL her eyes are lifted toward the
hills IL she Is gentle. courteous and con-
siderate of others. and of whom rudeness
to any one, particularly a subordinate.
would be an impossibility? Can any one
challenge her position as highest in sta
tion.' or do aught but admire such an
example, even in these nervous days.
when many seem to fear their proper due
will not be awarded them?
'But with the example Of the lovely
and gracious lady whose anniversary we
celebrate today and whose reputation for
charm consisted largely in the traits and
graces we speak of. let US. her admirers
and wouid-be followers. resolve that the
next Dolly Madison reunion shall find in
US less incongruity between profession
and performances. So shall We not only
have been able to lend q hand to 9TH
ers but find as q personal reward = new