Evening star., 1921-05-25

lnveilin. of Tablet.
Shortly before 10 O'Clock those Off
cial participants in the unveIl!ng of
the tablet marking the northwest
William Berkeley for the establish
ment of Fredericksburg. formed in
front of the home OF Mrs. ID. ID.
Wheeler. Headed by the marine post
band from Quantico, Va, the pro-
cession marched TO the site on Lewis
street.
Hardly had the music ceased and
the band and Official participants
taken their places. VIXEN there hove
in sight United States naval SEA-
spluttering and deafenine explosions
of high-speed motors. Naval pho
tographers snapped pictures OF the
unveiiing and proceeded to Washing
ton for delivery to The Star.
Rev. r. G.. Gilmore Of Fredericks-
burg opened the ceremonies with a
prayer. following which DIR. J. y. Bar
ney. also of this place, introduced Dr.
J. +. Smith of Richmond, Va. said to
be the only surviving suember of
"Stonewalr' Jackson's stan. and who
was with him when he died. not far
from here.
DR.. Smith told Of his first visit to
Fredericksburg. which was during the
civil war. when he came with Jack
sons army. He referred briefly to
tne progress the Town mao maze Elnct
that day. pointing out that he had
returned often. He said that former
citizens Of the town should return
to it freque Those who go away
from il after growing up. he contin-
ued. too often exile themselves from
in American history. He praised the
efforts of the association for the pres
ervation Of Virginia antiquities and
its work Of marking historical spots
Upon the completion OF his address
Miss Jacquelin Smith. six years old, Of
renee Smith. pulled the cord which
drew back Old Glory and exposed the
tablet to view.
Mrs. -. D. Wheeler, on behalf OF
the Association for the Preservation
Of Virginia Antiquities. officially pre-
sented the tablet to the town.
Major King Speaks.
1t was accepted by Mayor King.
who referred briefly to the changes
through which the town has passed
during its $50 years Of existence from
wilderness TO a thriving and pros
porous community.
''In place of the wild, wood trail.
tree-lined streets extend in orderly
sequence" he said. The wigwam
gives place to handsome homes; the
bountiful and shady forest gives life
stead Of few hundred nomads: the
siren sound OF industry supplants the
Warcry and. noblest of all, these
pioneers implanted upon these shores
the great principles Of orderly self
government-those ideals which yet
tions of the earth.
"In accepting from the Association
for the Preservation Of Virginia An
tiquities. whose great interest has
l,
emblem of the past. our city. through
its mayor. does so with deep sense
of responsibility that our children
shall continue to he taught the les
sons of the past--that no nation is
truly great whose people forget the
shoulders upon which they climbed
to greater achievement"
This ceremony closed with benedic
ton pronounced by Rev. J. J. I-anier
of this city.
Troop Il Exhibits.
Then the party moved to the
Princess Anne Hotel. where Troop
X Sd L. S Cavalry. was in formation.
Promptly at II O'Clock. Capt. NJ. w.
Davis. commanding, gave the order
which sent the horsemen on Il gallop
TO the plaza on Washington avenue.
where, within the area inclosed by
half "A hundred or more white pillars.
the Fort Myer boys gave snappy
exhibition of how the Army trains
horSemcn. The troops were put
through a series of movements In
rapid fire order. looking at times
as though they could never be sepa-
rated, and all accomplished by the
mere blowing of whistle
Judge John T. Goolrick of this city
then introduced DR.. Charles Beatty
Alexander. vice president general of
the Society of the Cincinnati and a
regent Of New York University.
DR.. Beatty reviewed the early his
tory of the life of George Washing
ton, talked in d reminiscent vein of
the days of the mule and oxen teams
here, and told of many of his visits
here in early days in homes which
now are prominent in local history.
He said that while nominally this is
celebration of the $50 years OF the
life Of Fredericksburg. it is. in sense
a celebration in memory of George
Washington. with whose life and his
tory this town is closely linked.
"Stir Up Patriotism."
Those who have originated this
celebration and who are arranging to
have like celebrations in other locaii-
ties" he id. ARE doing great pa
triotic service. They are reviving in
terest in history. They are recalling
great memories. They are inviting
contributions of knowledge and hav-
ing such contributions placed in per-
| manent form. We must not forget
! that. small as the number of people
~ara In this country at ths-time Of