Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-04


SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION
ON
Monday evening, May 5, 1856.
The program has been selected with care.
embracing variety of popular choruses, quar-
tettes, trios and obbligato solos, which viii be
rendered with orchestral accompaniment.
The concert will be under the direction of
Mr.. j. H. Daniel conductor of the association.
Tickets. Is cents, to be had at the principal
book and music stores.
AS no money can be received at the door
of the institution, persons who design attend
ing the concert are requested to secure tickets
in advance.
DROF DANIEL, like everybody else, had his
share of trouble and criticism. 1t SO hap
pened that he entered upon his career as
teacher Of music in the public schools at a
period when much was being said about State
rights, and his loyalty to the Union was even
questioned and defended in the city council
shortly after the breaking out OF hoStihties
Much of this discussion was due to the fact
that Prof Daniel was Virgnian by birth and
had a SON II years old in. the Confederate
Army who previously had been confined IN the
Old Capitol Prison. Alexander r. Shepherd
and Thomas E. Lloyd were among those who
stated that the professor had taken the oath
OF allegiance and the former said: He was
convinced Of Mr. Daniels loyalty. He had the
support of such men as Samuel Fowler and
Matthew G. Emery"
However whatever may have been Prof
Daniels views on the Civil War. he retained his
position in the public schools and continued TO
teach until his death, and the schools under
his direction gave many concerts where the
proceeds went direstly or indirectly toward
alternating the suffering Of the Union soldiers
in the Army hospitals in washington. At the
close of the war upon the occasion of the
grand review in 1865, he led one of the largest
choruses of children assembled up to that time.
OF this event an old account states:
ION the north end Of the Capitol the schol-
ars Of the intermediate and grammar schools
took their places. the boys on the Hill and the
girls on the Capitol steps The girls were
dressed in white; the boys wore white pants
and blue Jackets AS the veterans passed by
these children greeted the column with songs,
and. as they were numerous choir, the effect
was very beautiful The children also dis
played a large number of banners. On the
northwest corner Of the Capitol was the follow
ing very appropriate motto: The only national
debt we can never pay Is the debt we owe to
the victorious Union soldiers
ORAGOND WILSON, superintendent of pub
lie schools here for many years. has left us
a very good account Of the part played by the
school children upon this occasion. He says:
IN 1855 occurred a memorable incident in
the history of the schools The veteran Armies
of the Union, returning to their homes in the
North. were to march past the Capitol on their
route up Pennsylvania avenue to be reviewed
from stand in front Of the Executive Mansion
by the President of the United States their
Commander in Chief the Secretary of War
the generals who had led them to victory and
other distinguished citizens. Every available
spot along the entire route, from which
glimpse CT a procession, the like of which IN
interest and grandeur never had been witnessed
before and may never be again in our country
was crowded with most eager, grateful and
enthusiastic thrcng OF citizens and visitors
come from far and wide.
THE public schools Of the city were to par
Hcipate in the ovation, and promptly at the
hour named thousands of school children were
I'm the place assigned to them on the northern
portico of the Capitol and all down the grassy
slope Of the park In front. extending to the
line of march.
GIN the early morning of that bright and
lovely 23d day of May there they stood. all
expectancy, in Spring attire, decorated with
rosettes of the red, white and blue. laden with
bouquets OF fragrant flowers and doral wreaths
waving thousands of miniature flags and bear
ing aloft multitude of banners of their
spective schools while high over all was dis
played the great standard Of that young army
inscribed, The Public Schools Of Washington
Welcome the Heroes Of the Republic. Honor
to the Brave
boys stepped forward and presented to him
large wreath of the choicest flowers, which he
most calamity and gracefully received and
threw over his shoulder, when instantly his
fiery charger, apparently frightened, stretched
forward his neck and. seeming to take the bit
Of the bride In his teeth, furiouSly dashed
down the hill and round into the Avenue out
of sight. carrying his rider sitting firmly in the
saddle but bent forward, with his long and
to&na -