Evening star., 1927-02-22
BURTON EXALTS
FIRST PRESIDENT
.:Ss
Speaks Before Association Of
Z Oldest Inhabitants of Dis
trict of Columbia.

George Washington in his relations
to the National Capital was discussed
by Representative Theodore Z. Burton
of Ohio at the annual celebration OF
the anniversary of the birthday OF
the first President by the Association
of Oldest Inhabitants Of the District
OF Columbia today In the parish hall
OF st. Marks Episcopal Church at
Third and A streets southeast.
The patriotic exercises at which Mr..
Burton spoke followed business
meeting of the association. These
ceremonies consisted of a recitation of
'The Americans Greed" the singing
of America and Aud Lang Syne,"
the reading of an original poem by
John. Clagett Proctor and the read
Ing of Washington's farewell address
by Or. F. D. Hester.
Praise for Glover.
A resolution commencing Charles
C.. Glover for his "liberality' in donat-
ing park site to the District was
adopted unanimously by the associa-
tion at Its business session. The reso.
luton was introduced by James r.
Duhamel and pointed out that Mr.
Giover's act was worthy one toward
the Identification OF the city.
The association accepted gifts from
two or its members. one a bell taken
from the last horse car to operate on
street and the other a portrait Of
John Hanson, president of the Con.
tinental Congress in 1881. The bell
was presented by Frederick L. Har-
ries, and the portrait by August
Young Gray
Three new members were admitted
to the association. They are William
Parker Herbst. Ferd j. Niedomanski
and Ernest Wilkinson. Theodore w.
Noyes. president, presided
Invocation Delivered.
Rev. John Paul Tyler pronounced
the invocation. Several numbers were
sung by the Royal Quartet, composed
or Kenneth Scates, Willard S. Haynie.
malcolm Scates and Frank NJ. Cooke.
MRS. w. s. Haynie was the accom-
panist. A luncheon followed the pro.
gram.
George Washington does not be.
long to the United States alone, but to
the whole bread globe" Mr.. Burton
told the association. Wherever there
nave been aspirations for liberty or
oetter conditions his name has been a
mighty talisman. affording inspiration
and hope. Whenever the weak and
suHering have lifted up their hands in
supplication the thought of him has
gwen encouragement. This has been
que to his unsurpassed patriotism, his
patience, his simplicity, his love OF
humanity. And thus George Wash
ington was not merely the Father of
His Country but bulwark of
strength for all those who have sought
to tread the path OF progress and look
to better future.
Inseparable With City.
Some years ago, in conversation
with q friend and confidant of Yuan
Shih-kai. this friend told me Of the
career OF that prominent Chinese.
When President Of the newly formed
Chinese republic he planned to as
sumo the imperial purple, but in times
OF meditation he would say. MY one
desire should be to be the George
Washington of China How much
better for his career would it have
been IL he had adhered to that better
thought,
Washington the man must be for
ever inseparably connected with
washington the city. With his re-
markable mastery of details, he occu.
pied himself with the plans of the
National Capital that was to be, and
once he said:
"A century hence. IL this country
keeps united land it is surely its pol,
10y and interest to do it), will produce
q city, though not as large as London,
yet of a magnitude inferior to few
in, ho ha zlye, -
Potomac, - where elegant
buildings are erected and in forward
ness for the reception Of Congress in
the year 1S0o.'
In his hours Of struggle and occa-
sional encouragement his hopes may
have been dimmed, but, nevertheless,
how remarkable his foresight when we
consider the scattered buildings to
which he always loved to come.
Promise for Future.
Now Washington ranks as the
Capital of the greatest country in the
world, as a city Of magnificent build
ings and homes, of splendid public
structures which speak for the activi- !
ties OF great Nation. This society
In its so; years Of life has witnessed a
wonderful transformation in the Ma.
tional Capital. How much more the
promise of what it shall be in the COM
ing years, when we all shall have
passed TO the Great Beyond? Its fu-
ture win not be measured by the mere
test of population. though that is
large and increasing. but much more
by the influences which must surely
extend from it over the country and
TO the remotest bound. We may as
suredly cherish the hope that 1t will
be the center OF political and social
forces for a people than which there
can be none more free, more observant
Of law and more happy"