Evening star., 1924-02-22
ADOPT HIGH IDEALS,
PUBLIC MEN URGED
Lewis Cites Greatest Need to
Nation in Speech Before
!. Oldest Inhabitants.
WARNS OF PITFALLS
WARNS OF PITFALLS
Declares Greece and Rome Fell
When Past Was Forgotten.
Stresses History's Value.

dent of George Washington Univer-
Sity, addressing the Association of
Oldest Inhabitants of the District of
Columbia at Union engine house today.
DR.. Lewis was the principal speak
er on the program of patriotic eX-
crcises held by the association in OBJ
servance of the birthday anniversary
of the Father Of His Country.
"'Some one has said that the repub-
1ican form of government is still on
trial. DR.. Lewis declared. 1T is
not the form of government that is
on trial; it is those who administer
it.. Our government is successful and
Will continue to be successful SO long
as there are men who give thems selves
to its administration with the idea
of service; who gain their inspiration
and their policy from the outstanding
figures of American history, and who
;tpEeciate the ineXorable truth of
1-owelrs statement.
TN vain we call all old nations fudge,
And bend oup conscience to our deal
ing.
The ten commandments will not bulge.
And stealing will continue stealing. !"
Nations Greatest Day.
In opening his address the speaker
emphasized the value of utilizing
ture. In celebrating on this thought,
he spoke as follows:
This is Americas greatest day of
remembrance. Upon this occasion the
nation pauseS in the engroSSing oc-
cupations of the present to pay tribute
to the past and to that great figure
of the past whose influence is an
everything force.
rlatitude in that statement known by
every schoolboy, 1 have but one lamp
by which my feet are guided, and
that is the lamp of experience. l
save by the past Fortunate is that
nation which does not ignore its yes
1erdays. The downfall of Greece and
Rome began when the people deserted
the ideals of the fathers. You who
are members of the Oldest lnhab-
itants' Association are fortunate be-
yond most of us in your memories ex-
tending over each considerable por-
ton of the history of this young ma
tion, and the community in which
you live is fortunate in having the
lenetit of the steadying influence OF
your experience and your ideals. Our
rational life stretches back such a
little way that there is no excuse for
being ignorant of it's history. Not a
few who are present today have a
personal recollection of Abraham
Lincoln. and Abraham Lincoln as d
youth listened to the conversation of
those who had fought under Gen.
Washington.
Cites Slogans Of Past.
The lesson of our history has
teen strangely overlooked by. those
who today are involved in situations
which call for investigation and CEN
sure by our government Wash
ington wrote in his copybook. Labor
little spark of celestial fire-con-
Science And the success" of. his
public life showed that to him this
was more than copybook phrase.
Lincoln lived by his statement, Let
us have faith that right makes might.
and in that faith let US dare to do
our duty as We understand it,. Grover
Cleveland maintained, Party honesty
Is party eXpediency,' and A public
Office is public trust"
Referring to the future of the uni
Hersity of which he is the directing
head. DR.. Lewis said:
IAN educational institution which
hears the name Of George Washington
cannot be unmindful of it's duty and
its opportunity in developing a citi-
Zenry, not only mentally alert, but
having code of ethics and an appre-
riation of responsibility as citizens.
The great universities of England
pay sharp attention to training re-
cruits for the service of the state.
This university must strive similarly
to equip its graduates. The ideals of
the makers of our nation must be
appreciated and aSSimilated. Educa-
tion means nothing if it is one-sided
The educated crook is more danger
Gus because of his education.
Urges Redcdication.
This day of remembrance should
be for us a rededication to the prin-
Ciples of Washington and to the
dreams of Washington for d great ma
tion leading the world in integrity
and purpose"
The patriotic program began with
an invocation by Rev. DIR. Page Mil
burn. The audience joined in recit-
ing THE Americans Creed" and in
lumbian Quartet. Portions of Wash
ingtons farewell address were read
hy George a. King.
John Clagett Proctor read a poem,
'Washington's Ancestry" The quar-
tet sang and the meeting. closed
with the singing of Aud Lang
Syne." a luncheon was served in the
engine house after the meeting.
The following poem on washing
tons Ancestry" was read by John
Clagett Proctor:
Some genealogs.@. ] sce
Now claim, in all sincerity.
That Mashington's ancestry brings
Him through line OF feudal kings
That royal blood was in his yeiuS
tSussestins where he got his brainsi
And since some one must rule the mob"
AoSL HdtuFillS, ne toCk Tie Job.
Should admit this doubtful claim.
Our minds would stl he just the same
And We would think uf him less,
II 1t were truc--you will confess.
For, after all. he paved the way
For this republic of to-day
And we care not from whence he cumc---
We always shall revere his name.
One thing We know, he whipped John Bull
And George the Third-So powerful:
He led the north and led the south
Up TO the belcfIlng caDnOn's mouth,
And in the end gained victory
Gained everlasting liberty,
Some say. achieved it by retreat
But what's the dif 'rence--so he beat?
And when the din Of battle ceased
His popularity increased;
He then became first President
To which he always honor lent;
Eight wears. with dignity, he served
Frum right and justice never sweryed:
No potentate in history
Was more beloved by man than he.
And 80. today, we celebrate
The birth Of him noble and great.
And If Il king across the sea
Eutt-iu on Georges Pedigree,
He was rewarded for his fun
For George eNceiled him two 10 one,
And If the statement made is true
That king built better than he knew.
At the business meeting, which
preceded the patriotic exercises, +.
W. Mitchell presented to the aSsocia-
tion southern newspaper of civil
war days printed on the back of a
of The Daily Citizen of Vicksburg.
Miss, of July ,, 1863. John b. Nc
Carthy. explained tsa- during the
war news print paper became scarce
in the southern states and papers
were forced to publish these fantas-
tic issues on wall paper. Mr.. Mitchell
was given vote of thanks for the
donation. &
Thirteen New Members
On motion of Capt. George W.
1lyans it WAS voted to Compila a