The Washington times., 1920-09-22
HUGE THR0NG
I. .SEESPAGEANT
AIIegoricaI Demonstration OF the
Progress OF Temperance
Staged at Capitol.

IL was a Significant coincidence that
place among the foreign and Ameri-
can delegates TO the Fifteenth Inter
national Congress Against Alcoholism
the huge chorus was singing How
Firm a Foundationg"
IL was the occasion OF the Ameri-
can historical pageant THE Spirit Of
Temperance" that was staged last
night on the east steps OF the Cap
itol, and which was witnessed by
throngs extending behind the central
groups OF invited guests out into the
parkway and alonx the braod avenues
as far as the spectacle Of American
progress could be seen.
There always is a thrill in seeing
the towering dome of the Capitol
illuminated SO that IL stands out
luminous symbol of the faith and ac-
complishment OF the United States.
Last night all nature contributed to
the beauty of the setting. A crescent
moon shone just above the Statue OF
Liberty that crowns the Capitol
dome. and the clear balmy air added
itp tribute In color and In comfort
to the players and the Thousands of
spectators.
AN EFFECrIvE ALLECOKY.
''The Spirit of Temperance" was an,
effective aliegory. with the symbol OF
historic incidents recounting how
America. In the figure of Columbia,
leads the, way for all the nations OF
the world in the upward march to
right living that is blazoned forth in
sun-gIow coIors. and in that Joy in
life told in the dance of little chill
drcn.
Music truly allied the breeze" as
the Marine Band played the over
ture. resolving 1t into the strains OF
america" With the impulse that
has been born OF community singing.
in the national hymn.
A professional of robed choristers
then mounted the stately steps of the
Capitol, to the hymn sung by the Ma
tional Community Chorus.
To meet them came. from the high
portal beneath the dome. and to the
strains of Mendelssohn's Spring
Song" the Spirit of Temperance.
while at the bugle call came symbolic
figures carrying the shield Of State,
the Navy. the Army, the Treasury. and
Justice. .s 49,
OF all the historic incidents the en-
trance of Abraham Lincoln. the gaunt
figure of emancipation, alone, with,
quiet dignity. was the most impress
sive. 1t brought forth a wave OF ap-
piause. For behind Lincoln came fivc
amendments to the Constitution. the
thirteenth, fourteenth. fifteenth, six
eenth and seventeenth.
NJ
The entire audience stood at a sin
sle impulse, as Lincoln first appeared
at the top of the steps between the
classic pillars. The Characterization,
too. was particularly graphic.
In character representations. also,
were George Washington with
group Of Colonials-Ben Franklin.
Thomas jefferson, and Benjamin Rush
The groups of nations were q bril-
liant array of fags OF all countries.
carried singly up the steps to where
Columbia welcomed them. And in the
epoch to which they belonged. the
amendments OF the Constitution en-
tered, until. as a contamination to-
ward which this particular group or
people had long looked, came the
Eighteenth Amendment. announced by
heral0S ana attenueu Oy, al INC oih-
liant assembly, whose shadowed robes
had been cast aside, and who came
out in the bright sunlight hues that
denote the era Of mans future hopes
and expectations. ....-
Grouped around Columbia this ar
ray of naSs Of colors were saluted by
a whole-hearted chorus Of choristers
and onlookers. They continued to
sing, closing with the strains OF
America" as the pictured groups
marched slowly out--history, home,
childhood. manhood. The story was
effectively told, beautifully pictured.
The success of the Pageant was due
to Mrs. Marie Moore Forrest director,
Miss Bess Schreiner. manager, to
Lieut.. Santelmann for his appreciative,
understanding of the music OF the
story which was evidenced In the
incidental music by tho u. s. Marine
Band, to Charles S. Wengerd. direct or
of the chorus "The Spirit Of Temper
ance" was written by Mrs. Suessa
.. q