Evening star., 1915-02-22
URGES AMERICANS
TO UNITE IN CRISIS
President Paris of S. of R. En-
thuses Washington Birth
day CeIebraters.
Will SON SITS AT RIGHT
OF PRESIDING OFFICER
Ambassador Jusserand Occupies Seat
at Left of Mrs. Story of D "A r.,
the Chairman.

! Beneath the folds of the Stars and
! Stripes and in the presence of the Presi-
dent of the United States. scores of
/ representatives of the legislative, execu-
| tive and judicial branches of the govern
ment and members of the diplomatic
corps. a distinguished gathering of
| Washington residents observed the 1880
anniversary of the birth of George
| Washington.
The ceremonies, held in Memorial
| Continental Hall. were under the joint
| auspices of the Daughters of the
American Revolution. the Sons of the
Revolution in the District of Columbia,
and the District of Columbia Society
Sons of the American Revolution.
| Mrs. William Cumming Story, presi-
dent-general of the Daughters of the
| American Revolution, presided. the
three patriotic organizations being Of
| fcially represented by Mrs. Frank Fos-
ter Greenawall. state regent Of the
| District Of Columbia, Societyof the
Daughters of the American Revolution:
Albion X. Paris, president. Sons OF the
Revolution in the District OF Colum-
bia, and Col. Frederick c. Bryan. pres1-
dent, District of Columbia Society, Sons
of the American Revolution.
, Marine bauQ VOuCcIt.
Following a concert of half an hour
by the Marine Band. Lieut.. w. H. San
telmann. director, Mrs. Story called to
order the audience, which filled every
seat in the auditorium. With Mrs.
Story on the stage were members OF
the three organizations Joining in the
ceremonies, with other distinguished
residents of the District of Columbia.
Ambassador and Nine. Jusserand oc-
cupied chairs at the left Of Mrs. Story.
The invocation by Rev. DR.. Randolph
H. McKim, rector of the Church of the
Epiphany, was followed by the presen-
tation of the colors by Frederick D.
Owen.
I AS the flag was borne to the plat
form and dipped to the four points of
the compass. :. bugle sounded outside.
and President Wilson, accompanied by
dent taking the chair at Mrs. Story's
right.
Mrs Story in a few words welcomed
the audience gathered to participate in
his country. her remarks being follow
ed by the reading of Washington's
farewell address by Barry Bulkley of
the Sons of the Revolution.
Urges American Unity.
A. h. PARIS, pre6fdent OF the same
organization, in a brief extemporane-
Gus address. ELECTED an outburst Of ap-
plause when he asked that differences
of opinion be laid aside and that the
people of the United States stand
shoulder to shoulder in the present ma
tional crisis.
I've have our differences of opinion
on trivial matters, he said.
WOuld human
not so. But today, in the presence of
this gathering of American men and
US all be Americans. Yankees from the
north, Yankees from the south, YAM
KEGS from the east, Yankees from the
west-Yankees all of u.s."
Michigan made the first formal address.
In his remarks Senator Townsend
laid stress on Washington's faculty
for harmoning opposing elements
out of disorganized, unrelated and
sporadic endeavor. Drawing analogy
between the conditions which confront
ed Washington and those with which
the President and Congress are con-
fronted. he pleaded for calm and dis
problems with which the nation is
faced, and for the exercise of matured
judgment in the solution Of these ques-
tions, upon which the nations peace
so largely depends.
In introducing Rev. John Brittan
Clark. pastor of the First Presbyterian
Church of Washington, Col. Frederick
G. Bryan. president of the District of
Columbia Society. Sons of the Ameri
can Revolution, called attention to the
fact that today's ceremonies were the
first ever held under the Joint auspices
of the three patriotic societies having
them in charge. and expressed the hope
that today's meeting night be only the
nj
annual celebrations of Washington's
birthday.
Mr. Clark. speaking without notes,
delivered a lengthy eulogy of Wash
ington, in which he drew attention to
what he said were the little understood
phases of Washingtons character
Calmness. sound judgment, dfspassioned
consideration, he said, were Washing
tons dominant characteristics. rather
than impetuosity and impulsiveness.
"On that occasion in 17S3," he said,
when a member of Washington's mill
tary household. trusted officer and a
beloved friend, suggested the outlines
of a plan for the dissolution of the
Young republic and the formation of
monarchy with Washington as king,
there was no wrath mingled with the
gesti6n was rejected. Without even a
moments consideration. albeit with a
sternness not to be mistaken or mis-
understood. Washington put aside the
one parallel to this act of abnegation,
and that was when nearly 1000 years
ago the hands that soon were to be
pierced with nails put away a golden
crown and took in it's place a crown of
thorns."
President Presents Medal.
Walter S. Smoot. student of Central
High School, winner of the gold medal
offered by the Sons of the Revolution
for the best essay on The Course of
Events that Led to the Surrender of
Yorktown was introduced by Gaillard
Hunt, chairman of the committee on
awards. With fine stage presence and
In a voice that carried to every corner
of the auditorium young Mr.. Smoot read
the prize winning essay. At the conclu-
sion of the reading President Wilson
presented the medal.
1T gives me great pleasure. Mr..
Smoot," said the President. Ito hand you
this medal.
1T gives me pleasure to see with
what careful attention you have stud
led the great campaign of which you
have written. and l hope that such
study will enable you and other lads
of your age some of these days to set
us all the example we need to be get -