Evening star., 1932-02-22
i. S. Itself Best
Memorial, Says
President.
10000 CHILDREN
SING AT CAPITOL
City and Alexandria
Are Jammed for
Celebration.
The full text of the Presidents
address appears on page 2.

President Hoover, addressing
today a special joint session Of
Congress at the opening Of a
nine month celebration Of the
George Washington Bicentennial,
voiced the gratitude of a great
Nation for the heroic service of its
founder and first President.
There can be no memorial to
Washington's memory more sig
nificant, President Hoover de-
clared, than "this mighty Nation"
itself.
The Presidents tribute, deliv-
cred before an august assemblage
of dignitaries in the hall of the
House, was preliminary to a
notable public demonstration at
the east front of the Capitol, the
high light OF which was the broad
casting to the far parts of the
globe of mighty chorus singing
america"
lU,UUU Snlluren Slng.
To the inspiring accompaniment
of massed bands of the Army,
Navy and Marine Corps, under
leadership of Americas march
king" John Philip Sousa, a choir
of 10000 children and 1000 of
their elders lifted their voices in
the familiar hymn at a signal
from President Hoover.
American citizens in all parts
of the world joined in the song, to
form what officials declared to be
the largest chorus in history. It
was a soul-Stirring overture to a
program OF celebration that will
continue until next Thanksgiving
day.
In his address before Congress, the
President traced the development of
the country from the humble begin
nings of Colonial days and called on
the people to renew their faith in the
principles laid down by the founding
fathers.
Proudly We report to our forefath-
ers," he said, that the Republic is
more secure, more constant, more pow
erful, more truly great than at any
other time in its history"
He expressed disapproval of those
who would seek the ''irrantional human
ling of Washington. declaring there
is no necessity for attempting to delve
beneath the unique qualities of great
ness" with which Washington was
imbued
Faith Never Failed.
I'VE need not attempt at canoniza-
$io,, of Gaoroo WochipUtOp ~ he said
I'VE know he was human, subject to
the discouragements and perpleMties
that come to us all. We know that he
had moments of deepest anxiety We
know of his SufferingS, and the Sacri-
fees and anguish that came to him.
We know of his resentment of injustice
and Misrepresentation. And yet we
know that he never lost faith in our
people"
Throughout his address the President
paid Washington tribute as founder
OF liberty. of unique government and
of a system of national life.
Defining this system as it appears to-
day. he asserted. it embraces a system
of relationships to other nations based
upon no thought of imperialism, no
desire to dominate; determined ma
tional self-reliance in defense and in
dependence in action; freedom from all
commitment to the unknown future,
and an aspiration to promote peace
and good will among men"
Within the House chamber were gath
cred also such distinguished personages
as the justices of the United States Su-
preme Court, the members of the Presi-
dents cabinet, uniformed leaders of the
military branches of the Government
and formally arrayed diplomats from
the family of nations.
Over in gaily-bedecked Alexandria all
was ready for the greatest of that ven-
cradle Virginia city's annual parades
in memory of one who was its council
man, business man and neighbor
President Hoover and the members of
the United States and District of Co.
lumbia Bicentennial Commissions were
Continued on Page g. Column So