Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-22
Washington's Birthday Is
Observed by President
and Capital Folk.
LAST ADDRESS is READ
Farewell Speech Oddly Fits
Great Problems Now
Before Country.

Washington, Feb. 22.-Every agency
Of the American government paused to-
day to pay homage TO the memory of
George Washington, in the capital
which bears his name.
President Wilson, Secretary Daniels,
Ambassador Jusserand and other ma
tional figures gathered at celebration
at Continental Memorial hall under the
auspices Of Associated Patriotic soci-
cites
Both houses of congress suspended
business while Senator Johnson of
Maine and Representative Raker of
California read General Washington's
farewell address, giving warning
against "ipsidious wiles of foreign in
fuence," "mischiefs Of foreign in
trigues" and the impostures of pre-
tended patriotism" The farewell ad-
dress has been read in congress every
year for generations, but probably
never before were Washingtons words
so closely applied to present day con-
ditions
At Mount Vernon on the Potomac
wreaths and flowers were laid on the
first presidents tomb. many made pill
grimages to the mansion and passed
through the rooms where he lived and
died, and others visited his monument.
Business in all executive depart
ments was suspended,
Wilson Presents Gold Medal.
At Continental Memorial hall The
president and large audience ap-
plauded the reading of Washington S
views on national preparedness in ex-
cerpts from his messages to congress.
President Wilson made no address,
but he presented gold medal on be-
half OF the patriotic societies to Miss
Ina NJ. Lawrence, winner of an essay
contest on THE Campaign Against
Quebec in 1775," among school chill
dren of the District of Columbia.
Vice President Marshall in designat-
ing Senator johnson to read the ad-
dress, said:
in a time Of stress and tumult
when men, mad with the lust of pas
sion and war, are seeking to tear up
the ancient landmarks of civilization,
It is fit that the Father Of the Republic
should be honored in the United States
senate chamber and that the concen-
trated wisdom Of his lifetime should be
listened to, not only by the senate but
by the people
Chicago Observes Day.
Chicago. Feb. ga feature OF the
celebration of Washington's birthday
in Chicago today was an object lesson
in practical patriotism given by 40
veterans Of the fall training camp at
Sheridan, who marched through the
downtown section to the coliseum.
where the principal meeting Of the
days exercises was held. Schools and
municipal and state Offices closed to-
day.
Military preparedness was the key
note Of the days celebration. The two
largest celebrations were the National
Security leagues parade and mass
meeting at the coliseum and the patrf-
otto services under the auspices Of the
Union League club at the Auditorium,
the latter TO be followed by a banquet
at the club this evening.
State Offices Closed.
Springfield, Ill, Feb. 22.-State Of
fees were closed today IN honor OF
the birthday anniversary OF George
Washington.
New York. Feb. 22.-Meetings OF many
patriotic societies were held. A military
parade and dedication Of a liberty pole
In Brooklyn and several sporting
events today marked the celebration
Of Washington's birthday. The WON
ans peace party conducted a series Of
undergraduates meetings In all the
congressional districts Of the city.