Evening star., 1917-11-25
WAR SPIRIT SWEEPS
|. BIG MASONIC RALLY
Audience of 5000 Stirred by
Patriotic Declarations of
Americas Purpose.
BATTLE HYMN DiMS EYES

American people are lacking IN 0eter-
mination to see the war through to its
finish-and to the kaisers fnish-he
ought to have been In unobstrusive at
tendance at the great Masonic rally and
mass meeting for soldiers and sailors
held last evening in Convention Hall
The establishment might nave zone
him good and cidentally have saved
him and his Huns lot OF trouble later
Approximately 5000 persons were
there, probably a third OF them service
men, and with the civilians about equal
ly divided between mon ana women.
And every person there. man or womens
was a Mr. Britling," Judged by the
way the great crowd cheered each ex-
preston of the 'See It through senti-
Ynent by the orators Of the evening.
Stirred by Speaker Clark.
House OF Representatives, declared
that Congress viii appropriate every
dollar and every man needed to carry
the war to successful conclusion
there was an outburst which might
wen have been. and probably will be.
echoed to Berlin.
Enthusiastic cheering was scarcely
less in volume when Speaker Clark told
why America is at war. we are A.
war" he said. because no nation will
long survive or deserve to suvive that
does not protect all its citizens wher-
ever they may be. by land or by sea-
Josephus Daniels, Secretary OF the
Navy; and Newton D. Baker. secsetary
popular presidential candidate might
have envied in the heat Of a campaign
-ovations which were as much Tor the
services Of which they are the heads
of the Presidents oficial family.
Led by two Masonic bands. the audi
ence stood and sang America" and
The Star Spangled Banner" with FER
vor and feeling which would be inpos-
sible TO a people not at war in dead
earnest. And when from 5000 throats
there rolled forth the majestic Battle
Hymn Of the Republic" women sobbed
and men were unashamed OF tear-dim-
med eyes Mine eyes have seen the
glory OF the coming of the Lord" had a
meaning it never had had before.
Tribute to Nations Fighters.
The gathering was Masonic in its In
ception and arrangement, but in effect
1t was the National Capitals tribute to
the men who are going forth to h0ht
ence there were the leaders Of Wash
ington's official and civic life, and there
were men with toil-stained hands ac-
companied by tired-looking women
no doubt. Of sons they have given to
their country. There was no discrimina-
tton In the treatment accorded high
and humble. for the gathering was one
TO give voice to the spirit of democracy.
The hall was elaborately decorated in
a single idea. the idea Of the American
flag. 1t fioated over the speakers stand.
In festoons from the arch Of the great
domed ceiling and In clusters at the
Sides From ceiling arch to wall there
were alternating, streamers Of red,
WHINE and blue
The attendance was larger even than
had been anticipated. for all the seats
occupied and many stood in the rear
of the hall, straining to catch the
words Of the speakera J. Claude
KEEPER. past grand master Of Masons
ceremonies. and the invocation was by
Rev. Hugh T. Stevenson. grand chap
lain. The drst address was by James
W. Witten. the present grand master.
sss,nk pa,rotis nd an9ea, =, 70. true
ernment in its conduct Of the war. He
was followed by George r. Moore, SOW
areign grand commander Of the Scot
ash tsIs Rits of the Southern Jurisdiction.
have played In making American his
tory from the days Of Benjamin Frank
lin and Paul Revere down to tho pres
ent time.
Champ Clark made one Of his char
acteristtc speeches. at one minute having
his audience in roars Of laughter and the
noxt wildly cheering some sentiment Of
making work Of Congress and seve the
republicans In the House equal credit with
the democrats for loyal and essnsst SUP
port OF the government We were thrust
we were all green as gourdn from the
President down. But We all did our duty
as best we could, and as look back al il
now ! am beginning to reslise how stu
n yfptr a.. 80
To the men going over there" to
fight Speaker Clark gave a tabloid les
son in Americanisn to carry with them.
urging that they pass 1t on to our allies
sists Of just three fundamental things.
two of which are to be found In the
Declaration o. Independence. These are
that all men are created free and equal
% anu .hat government derive their just
erned The third. sSe very genius Of
aEiei1cantss1. is the preamble to tee
Constitution: We, the pac9:s Of the
United States. in order to fora Q more
perfect union. establish justice, insure
domestic tranquility. provide for the
common defense. promote the general
welfare and secure the blessings OF lib,
erty to ourselves and our posterfty, do
ordain and establish this Constitution
for the United States OF America"
Heroisn on the Destroyers.
The story of activities Of American
destroyers in European waters will he
as thrilling as the record Of accom- :
piishment viii be gratifying. Secretary
Daniels said. Enough news had been
given the public, the Secretary said.
to show that the notiIla is Riyinr n
good account of itself and that tho
Navy is animated with the same spir,t
as in the days OF John Paul Jones.
Perry Fsrragut and Dewey. While hn
could not tell Of tho submar.nes sunk
or the perils encountered. nor detail
the privations and sacrifices of the
.'valorous youths manning the ships.
Mr.. Daniels declared that q recount Of
their deeds some time would make a
thrilling tale.
What is true of the destroyers is
likewise true Of other nghting ships,
which. as rule. have so far been
charged with less important duties, %
continued the Secretary. But the spirit
Of daring which has been witnessed In
the destroyer notiila is seen in the
whole feet. The chief trouble I have
as to personnel is that nearly all in the
service are eager to be given assign
| ments where the peril is greatest and
the service r,ost trying"
Secretary Baker. without diyulrine
any military secrets. gave his audience
| TO understand that even now Cen.
Pershing has In France an army cana