The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1922-06-16
1.-THE SHEATH|NG OF
THE SWORD"

The initial performance on the New
Western Maryland College Athletic
Field, dedicating it to the friendly and
inspiring rivalries and competitions OF
an Age of Peace, given Saturday af-
ternoon. June 10th, was impresslvely
splendid and spectacular. In details
and comprehensive sweep, and in in
spring suggestiveness, it was far be-
yond all expectations.
Governor Albert C. Ritchie was our
Guest of Honor, and His Excellency
set the Athletic ball rolling with an
interesting and appreciative as well
as appreciated Address.
President Ward, surrounded by 9TH
n distinguished guests, was very hap
py as he surveyed the splendid Ath-
letic Bowl, one of the very finest
fields in all the country, and saw this
part of his dream for a greater west
ern Maryland coming true. The whole
community ought to be proud of it.
The Great Drama, the entire crea-
ton of Miss Dorothy Elderdice, of
Westminster, and the Alumna of w.
NJ. c., from prologue to Epilouge was a
masterpiece, and is worthy of presen-
tation in other parts of the country.
With the Prologue came the Heralds,
the Four Ages, (Ancient, Medieval,
Modern, and Future, still veiled,) and
Peace with her attendants, Prosperity
and Progress. These ascended and oc-
cupied the Throne and Court of
Peace.
The First Episode or Victory of
Peace illustrated carried us back to
Greece when in SS4 B. c., Sacred
Truce for the time banished War, and
the event was celebrated by the insti-
tuition of the Olympic Games. Here
appeared Greek Ambassadors, Prince
Iphitus of Ellis, Apollo, Aurora, the
Seven Hours, the Master of Games.
the imposing Greek Professional of
Men and Maidens, and a host of
thletes,-Runners, Discus throwers,
and Wrestlers. The successful contes-
tants were crowned with laurel
wreaths by Apollo, amid the acclama-
tions of the Greek populace, and the
songs and cheers of the spectators.
The Second Episode celebrating Peace
was the dedication of an altar to the
Peace of Augustus, by the people OF
Rome on the order of the Senate and
the Emperor, 13 B. G. Here again Her
aids, Roman Cohorts, Augustus as
Pontifex Maximus, Consuls, Senators,
Priests of the Four Colleges, Vestal
Virgins, Roman Children and Etrus-
can Dancing Maidens, appeared and
enacted scenes remarkable for their
picturesqueness and beauty.
The Third Episode, a Victory big
with promise for the ultimate triumph
of World Peace, was the Nativity of
the Prince of Peace, the Birth of
Christ in the time of the worlds great
need and confusion. This was an
nounced by Heralds, and a great
white-robed choir advantageously
placed on the high elevation on the
western slope of the field, sang in
clear sweet voices the Gloria in Ex-
celsis. The scene was inspiring, and
those catching the full significance of
this presentation were deeply moved.
The Fourth Episode, or Victory, was
the representation of the Field of the
Cloth of Gold, when in the Field of
Andren, in France, Henry the With
of England and Francis |, of France,
with their attendants, courtiers, ar
chers, sword dancers and dancers, all
assembled in international fellowship
to celebrate the Peace pact with
sports and games. A thrilling tourna-
ment of mounted, mail-clad Knights
proved their valor and skill before
the two Monarchs seated in a great
double Throne panoplied with fabric
Cloth of Gold.
The Fifth Episode. Here friendly
international relations were inaugu-
rated by the United States. The words
of President Harding at the opening of
the Washington Conference on Limi-
tation of Armaments here again gave
expression to universal longings for
World Fellowship. I'VE only wish to
do with you that finer, nobler thing
which no nation can do alone" There
were four events in this episode.
First, England and the United states,
Columbia and Brittanica,-led on
the peaceful years, quaint costumed
Maidens. who danced an old English
rustic dance in a circle around the
Court of Peace, and sang the Interna-
tional Hymn. Second, Japan and the
United States celebrated in happy
symbolization of the Japanese Chill
drens Overture of Peace, sent to the
school children of the United States
by the school children of Japan with
the consent of their fathers and broth
ers and teachers. In this they pledged
themselves never to raise their
swords against, but to emulate the
children of the United States as per-
feet examples of Brotherhood and Sis
terhood." Here the Japanese-costum-
ed children, carrying parasols and led
by Miss Takemura, Japanese stu
dent of w. NJ c., performed japan
ese ceremonial dance. Gay colors, re-
volving parasols, graceful movements
were beautiful indeed. The third event
here, presented by the Red Men from
Baltimore and Carroll County, set
forth the meeting of North American
tribal Chieftains, who in the Valley
of Little Horn, Montana, in 1909, eel
ebrated their last Grand Council This
Assembly of Twenty Chieftains, and
many others, about the council fire,
eating their communion of meat and
bread, and passing along the pine OF
Peace around the circle, the coming OF
the White Brother, and the pledge to
no more Intertribal war, the slow
gathering of the Scout Indians from