Evening star., 1925-04-20
DAWES RETRAVELS
ROAD Of ANCESTOR
Vice President and Pershing
Take Part in Lexington
Concord Observance.
By the Associated Press.

CONCORD, Mass, April pa sa
lutte of $50 guns today began a spec
tacular celebration of the 150th ami
versary of the battle of Lexington
and Concord. Although preliminary
observances were held yesterday, the
actual anniversary of the battle, the
main events were reserved for today.
Vice President Dawes arranged to
visit Concord. Lexington and other
towns which figured in stirring scenes
of 1875. He planned to ride in an au-
tomobile, accompanied by Gen. Per
shing. over the route followed on
horseback by his ancestor. William
Dawes, jr., who, with Paul Revere,
warned inhabitants of the approach
Of the British troops
Will Greet Riders.
Vice President Dawes arranged to
greet at Lexington two horseback
riders impersonating Revere and Will
liam Dawes
AT Concord the feature was a re-
production of the fight at the North
bridge over the Concord River Ma
tlohal GuardSmen We're detailed to
snow how the mtnutemen and militia
marched down to the bridge and
drove back the British regulars.
Calling on the American people to
fulflll their obligations to the past
and TO posterity, Gen. John j. Per
shlng, chief speaker at the rededica-
ton OF Faneuil Hall yesterday, urged
the maintenance and Improvement of
this country's institutions Vice Presi-
dent Charles G.. Dawes asked for the
peoples rededication. to the ideals
which our forefathers died 70 estab-
lish."
Growth of Influence.
Our influence in international sf.
fairs has surpassed the most fanciful
vision Gen. Pershing said, but with
this has come an increase in our re-
sponslbllities. We must maintain and
improve our institutions. If we fail
we snail reverts to government by
force OF power. But we shall not fail
The courage of the American people,
handed down by our forefathers. is
a guarantee. Human liberty is ours to
maintain, by force IF need be, and to
hand down inviolate to our children s
children. Let us then live as individ-
uals among men and as a people
among nations. that through our ex-
ample may be hastened the day when
freedom, justice and peace shall come
TO dwell among US"
Gavel Given Dawes.
Vice President Dawes received from
the CITY OF Boston through Mavor
James NJ. Curley, the presiding officer
gayel made from a newell post pre
served from the original Faneuil Hall
destroyed by fire in 1861. A roar of
laughter, in which Mr.. Dawes Joined
went up when Mayor Curley said that
the Vice President might find ii use
ful In his dealings with the United
States Senate. Gen. Pershing received
similar gavel.
/ am here not as an individual. but
as a representative of the Govern
ment OF the United States" Mr.. Dawes
SAID after the presentation. II am
glad that the greatest living Ameri-
can soldier is to make an address here
today. because the atmosphere of
Faneuil Hall is militant and fun of
nght- This has been great battle
ground, this country.
This is great occasion, I wonder
II we cannot all re-dedicate ourselves
and resolve TO maintain the example
or this great Republic. to maintain
what our forefathers died to estab-
lish.'
Military Parade Held.
The days ceremonies had begun
with military parade including in its
ranks Mr.. Dawes and Gen. Pershing
a squade of men in the uniform of
the ''minutemen" of Lexington. the
Ancient and Honorable Artillery Com
pany, and representatives of patriotic
societies. On reaching FaneuiI Hall
the minute men and color bearers
marched down the aisle. and the pro.
gram began with the trooping of the
colors- At the end Of the ceremonies
Gen. Pershing presented a medal to
Boy Scout Thomas j. Smith of East
Boston for heroism in rescuing a
comrade from beneath the ice in Bos
ton Harbor.
Other ceremonies of the day were
exercises at the decoration of the
graves of Paul Revere in the Granary
Burying fround and of Villa m
Dawes, jr., the Vice Presidents fa-
nous ancestor, in the burying ground
of Kings Chapel. The site of the
home of William Dawes, jr.. was
marked with a tablet presented by
the city of Boston.
Today the rides of Paul Revere and
Dawes through MiddleseX County in
1878 to alarm the countryside will re-
enact, Gen. Pershing accompa nyine
the impersonator of Paul Revere and
Vice President Dawes that of his
grea t-great- gra ndfather.