Evening star., 1918-07-04
PRESIDENT SENDS
LIBERTY MESSAGE
Words to Four-Minute Men
Read at Meeting of Old
est Inhabitants.
STIRRING SESSION HELD

How the spirit OF 1915 has become
the spirit of 1918. bringing a
Declaration of Independence for the
| world. is told in a message by Presi-
| dent Wilson to the country's Four
Minute Men, read this afternoon at a
| patriotic meeting Of the Association
| Of Oldest Inhabitants of the District
Of Columbia.
Tonight the message will be flashed
to the nation through the movies"
1t was read in advance to the Oldest
residents Of the National Capital un-
der special dispensatfon obtained by
Charles w. Darr. the principal speak
/ er at the exercises.
has aroused more patriotic enthusi-
asm Men who have lived more than
half Of the time since liberty was
proclaimed on this continent were in
the big audience that completely
abandoned itself to the impulses OF
the hour. .-
Meeting Held on Lawn.
The meeting was held on the
spacious lawn of The Naples. the
home of ]. Edison Briggs. at $50 south
Carolina avenue southeast Spread
tected the members from July sun.
Mr. Darr and other participants In the
program spoke from the veranda OF
the old colonial house.
Drawing his inspiration from the
Presidents message. Mr.. Darr de-
scribed how the call of rs Is now
marshaling the world for liberty.
Referring to the patriotic celebra-
tions being held today in England
and other allied nations, he said it
would have seemed absolutely incred-
ible 142 years ago that in the year
1918 a king of Great Britain would
be celebrating the birth Of this ma
ton.
Mr., Darr discussed the development
of Americanism-how it has become
the worlds greatest influence for the
annihilation Of despotism and the es-
liberty.
Patriotism in Song.
His remarks repeatedly were greet
ed by tumultuous applause, and the
patriotic fervor aroused let itself
chance to sing "Over There" and
Keep the Home Fires Burning"
Miss Flora Briggs led the singing.
The exercises were opened at noon
with an invocation by the Rev. Will
liam Tayloe Snyder. Previously there
had been a business session OF the as
sociation. lasting nearly an hour.
Henry L. Bryan, vice president. pre-
sided. in the absence of President
Theodore W. Noyes.
After singing 1.-The Star Spangled
Banner" and listening to a toast to the
flag. read by j. Eliot Wright, the big
audience was in a responsive mood to
hear the Declaration Of Independence,
which was read by John Clagett Proc
tor. The final destiny Of this immor-
tai document - accomplishment of
world liberty-fastened its meaning
upon the association as it has at no
other Fourth of July observance.
Utter Americans Creed.
When Mr.. Proctor had concluded
the members stood and repeated the
Americans creed: II believe in the
United States of America as a gov
ernment OF the people, by the people,
for the people: whose Just powers are
derived from the consent of the gov
erned; a democracy In republic:
sovereign nation of many sovereign
states; a perfect union ,one and in
separable; established upon those
principles of freedom. equality, JUS
tice and humanity for which Ameri-
can patriots sacrificed their lives and
fortunes. 1 therefore believe it is my
duty to my country to love it.: to sup
laws; to respect its nag, and to de-
fend it against all enemies"
America" was sun. after which DR..
Thomas Calver read an original poem.
conclusion of Mr.. Darr's address John
Dolph made an appeal for the pur-
chase of war saving stamps. The
program was closed with the singing
of "Auld Lang Syne."
Refreshments were served on the
10 hv mi Of mi hara
headed by DR.. B. w. Sunny. Wash
ington Topfam was chairman Of the
entertainment committee.
Briggs Home Inspected.
The Briggs Home. which was built
about twenty years after the signing
of the Declaration of Independence.
the members. Several of the rooms.
including the ballroom. are furnished
exactly as they were before the civil
war.
At the business session. the asso-
citation again put itself on record as
favoring representation in Congress
for District citizens. 1t adopted the
following resolution. offered by Judge
Charles s. Bundy:
Resolved. That there are no citi-
zens of the District of Columbia in
law or in fact. We are all citizens of
the United States, but we have only
the right Of petition now, although
We ought to have voting representa-
tion in both houses of Congress and
| in the electoral college as American
citizens.
Resolved further, That the Ma
tional Capital should have the justice
and it's residents the 'blood-bought'
liberties for, which our sons and
brothers are now fighting beside our
allies across the seas"
The association is to have a service
flag. 1t has one member in active
military service. Capt M. Willthpf
the Medical Corps.
The following members were elect
ed today: Lewis Callisher, John M.
Young and Robert F. Jouscher.