Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-12-19
SCOTCH IN CAPITAL
: TO HONOR BURNS
Saint Andrews Society Has
Long distinguishes Char
liable and Social Aims.
Ry MARGARET b. DOWNING.

O. Apdre,1,'s Society of Washington.
D c.. is the oldest existing associd
ton formed for benevolent ana soclal
PURPOSES, and was founded on Janu
airy %, 1855 in the home or the late
William r. Smith, for so years director
of the Rotanical Gardens. On January
70 Of the new year, the society VIII
hold its annual banquet, and this VIII
he the seventy second in its annals.
When Mr.. Smith formed the society,
ii was found that an Older one existed
in Baltimore and that many or those
who lived in Washington, who We're
of Scotch ancestry or actual plrlh'
had been in the habit of attending
the banquet given there on the feast
OF Scotlands patron saint, November
30. So the Washington branch OF
this widely spread organization Sc
lected the birthday of Robert Burns,
January 25 as the day of its celebra'
ton, and the Baltimore members come
over in large numbers to honor their
beloved bard.
st. Andrews Societies all the world
over had as a major motive that OF
sllayine suffering and dispensing char
ity when needed among S"otSmen or
their descendants and, secondly. TO
promote social intercourse among its
members. This worthy society was
founded in the days when Scotchmen
were among the intrepid Adventures
and sailors cruising the seven seas,
and they formed first in the seaportS
Of the world to take care of sailors or
emigrants who were sick or In nnan-
cial distress Even now the utmost
vigilance is maintained by the speclal
committees to see that sailors get
proper medical care when they neeo IT,
Several Societies Help.
Mr.. Smith remained president or the
local society until his death. he was
also president of the Burns Gun ana
had gathered a most valuable and I'M
,1suaI collection of Burns edition, of
critical reviews of the poems and OF
old prints. This club met in union
with the St. Andrews for the banquet,
and n flavor of the beloved bard or
Ayrshire was lent to these early meet
ings.
In recent years the several Scotch
societies in Washington, the Caledo-
MAN Club which has a distinctly
athletic trend, and the Hlghlanders'
which are horsemen, and which nour
tshed greatly under the leadership OF
the late Gen. James A. Buchanan,
L. S. A., often cooperate with the
older association, the st. Andrews,
and it is anticipated that the many
members will attend this banquet on
January Or. when plans will be laid
for an elaborate celebration for the
societys seventy-fifth birthday.
In 1901, following the lead of so
many similar organizations In WASH
fngton. the members of st. Andrews
drew up articles of incorporation and
these were signed by the Oldest mem
hers then in control These We're
William Fraser Small, John NC
Gregor. William Ramsay, John n.
Small. ir.. and Archibald Malcolm NC
Lachlen, sr. Mr.. McLachlen, who was
the head of the Clan McLachlen ana
president of the bank which bears
his name, had been for years an abie
and influential member of st. An
drew's and was its president for sew
eral wears His son, Eugene McLach-
len. followed him in office and was
president in 1924. The present ON
GERS are: Shelton 7. Cameron. presl-
dent; William T. Galliher, nrst vice
president: Rev. George w. Atkinson,
SECOND vice president; Robert Watson,
secretary, and John Malcolm McLach'
len, treasurer.
Number of Clans.
Resides the larger Scotch societies |
in Washington there are a number OF
clans which maintain headquarters
here and whose members otten ANN
ate with the St. Andrews in their
charitable and social activities. Inc
Clan Mcclellan has many members
in Washington, and II has recently
founded an insurance fund among its
members and embracing all those who
live in the United States. the Can
McGreeor. of which Caleb Clark Ma
gruder is the chieftafn, is active IN
Washington and in the st. AnoreW
Society and in many other historic
clans-the McLeans. the McA1ees. the
Camerons MacDonalds and Machen-
zies. There are about five or SIX
meetings wear of the associated
bodies. besides the banquet on Robert
Burns birthday The membership OF
ST. Andrews approaches $50. There
are several honorary members, among
whom are William Fraser Small. the
oldest associate and for several years
president of the society; MAI. Gen:
John A. Leieune, who, though or
French descent and from Louisiana,
honors the intrepid sailors OF Nova
scotia: Rear Admiral w. Baird, Y. D
n and George Mann of Baltimore
The British Ambassadors, James
Bryce and Sir Auckland Geddes, were
members of ST. Andrews during their
residence in Washington. and the late
President Harding, who was of Scotch
blood, accepted honorary membership
in the society when he came to Wash
remained in 1t until his death.
Many well known men have served
as president and other officers. The
late Bishop Satterlee took sympa'
thetic interest in the society and was
a member The late Albert b. Doug
las, member of Congress from Ohio,
was a member and served two years
~; president. John X. Mclean was
an officer, and his father. Washington
-ist Ian. was associated with Mr..
smith and his colleagues. The pres
mt membership includes many well
known citizens of the District. There
iss.a preponderance of lawyers and
financiers.
Tile society hopes to revive the pre-
war gatherings in the open this com
inA Summer When Mr.. Smith was
in charge of the Botanic Garden the
members of St. Andrews and kindred
Scotch associations often met in the
gardens, for there has always been
Quota Of Scotch gardeners and hortl'
Culturists in Washington.