Evening star., 1927-07-04
j. S. HISTORY STUDY
URGED BY STENGLE
Association of Oldest Inhabi-
tantS Hears Plea for
Daily Search.

Ually SearCn.
- = -
A daily exploration Of the pages of
American history. combined with a
study of the principles upon which
the Nation was founded. was advocated
by Charles l. Stengle, former member
of Congress from New York. at the
annual independence day patriotic
ceremonies of the Association Of Old
est Inhabitants of the District OF
Columbia today on Temple Heights:
Mr.. Stengle, who is now an active
civic leader in the District and dele.
gate to the Federation of CltlZ"ns
Associations, pointed out that In the
pages of American history lie the
seed" which, If properly cultivated.
will Weld "a rich harvest of righteous
thoughts, followed by feast of
spiritual and patriotic devotion"
Business Meeting Held.
The patriotic exercises followed
business meeting of the association,
which also was held on the verdant
slopes of Temple Heights. Aside from
the Grafton of Mr.. Stengle, the pro-
gram included the recitation of the
Declaration of independence by u: A:
Lyon, the recitation of an original
poem by John Clagett Proctor, and
selections by the Royal Quartet, com
posed of Willard s. Haynie, director;
kenneth Scates, Malcolm Scates and
Frank M. Cooke. Refreshments were
served at the conclusion of the cere-
monies.
Four new members were admitted
at the business meeting. They are
Charles G. McGuigan, Albert w.
Evans. William NJ. Boff and John III.
Virnstein. Fl. T.. Bryan, first vice
president, presided, So. u44
"It is customary, son occasions OF
this character" said Mr.. Stengle, for
the speaker to review the deeds of
valor and speak of the sacrifices OF
those who, by stability of character,
loyalty to a just cause, and determl.
nation to wipe out oppression. erected
here upon this continent the affairs
Of liberty, the asylum for the op-
pressed, and those institutions which
make for life, liberty and the pursuit
of happiness. !. therefore, might with
some degree of propriety. take you
back to Bunker Hill, Lexington, Con-
card, Valley Forge and Yorktown and
recite most vividly some of the great
deeds of men who have written their
names indelibly upon the pages OF
American history and in the hearts of
liberty-loyirg peoples everywhere, but
refrain, because before me sit many
men who, because of great learning
and years of observation and study,
know much more about the subject
than / do. l therefore content myself
with the statement that these spots
were fixed posts in the American
Revolution and served to point the
IN a iShY 0Yt nf
democracy, which has grown in
strength and stature until today. more
than century and half thereafter,
it is recognized as the leader of true
and pure civilization.
Coming Caused Comment.
Because this day marks the ami.
versary of the signing of the Declara.
ton of Independence, it might be well
for us to pause long enough to re.
peat some of the things which tran
/ spired on that most important occa.
sion.
"In the household of nations, Isl
years ago today. a child was born, and
its advent upon earth caused consid
arable commotion and comment among
the elder members of the family. Some
| said that 1t was too weak to live and
that in a few days or weeks. it would
| be necessary to commit it's body to
the Cemetery of Lost Hope: they said
| that while it gave evidence Of much
| lung power, it's heart was weak and
not organically sound, that it did not
even resemble those in whose home
| it first beheld the light Of day. Others,
with keener discernment and great
er wisdom. predicted that it would
develop into one of, if not the great
| est child that the household ever be-
| held; that ii was sound in body and
soul and that its organisms were fully
/ prepared to function; in fact, We're al
ready functioninS, in accordance with
the best rules of national physiology.
That the latter group were wiser and
more prophetic in their vision is
amply attested by subsequent events.
New Government Born.
you know the story of what hap
pened on that fateful day, July 4.
| 1875, in Philadelphia, when after much
prayer and discussion, following the
report of n committee headed by
| Thomas jefferson. transmitting dec
| laration prepared almost wholly by
this distinguished sage OF Monticello,
the representatives of the 13 col
onies signed their names to the sacred
document and thus separated them
| selves ana their people from lne
tvrannical rule of an oppressive mon
archy; how for two hours thereafter
the Liberty Bell was tOlled as an an.
nouncement to the world that Il new
government had come into being, or
at least "a new idea had been born.
which was in after years to develop
into the United States of America.
1T is both interesting and edifying
to explore the pages of history. for
therein we frequently find seed"
which, IL properly cultivated, will
bring forth a rich harvest of righteous
thoughts followed by feast of spirit
ual and patriotic devotion, but such
explorations should not be reserved
for anniversary occasions alone. They
will serve Il most useful purpose if
made part of the daily reading.
Meet as Patriots.
patrick Henry once said that he
knew of no better way by which to
Judge the future than by the history
or record of the past. Paraphrasing
this illustrous patriot. | know of no
better way to guide our future
activities and gSaEantss !a. ths stability .ss.ss!