Evening star., 1932-02-23
HOOVER'S TRIBUTE
" HEARD BY 10000
Capitol Plaza damned as
/ PRESIDENT Addresses Both
Houses Of Congress.

r With President Hoover, his cabinet
and the diplomatic corps as guests of
honor, thousands of Washingtonians
and out t-of-town visitors observed the
200th anniversary Of the birth of
George Washington at a colorful cere-
mony yesterday at the Capitol.
Some $4,000 to 10000 persons throag-
ed the east steps and the Plaza at nooh
tS participate in the services under the
auspices Of the District Of Columbia
,Bicentenniah Commission.
Silently, they listened via loudspeaA-
ers to President Hoover address both
houses of Congress from the Speakers S
rostrulp in the House of Representa-
'tives.
, Then, as President Hoover entered
fag-draped stand on the east portico,
they sang America" at a signal from
the Chief Executive, to the accompani-
ment of "a massed Arny-Navy-Mar
band, led by the renowned march king,
= John Philip Sousa.
DR.. Marvin Presides.
Although he did not speak, Mr..
Hoover Stood bareheaded before the
Speakers platform for a moment and
bowed a greeting TO the crowds below
Just befose departing for alexandria to
take part in Bicen5en}iial ceremonies
there.
DR.. Cloyd Heck Marvin, president of
Georgia Washington University and
chairman of the District Bicentennial
Commission, presided at the celebration,
which formally opened with an address
of welcome by DR.. Luther H. Reichel-
derfer, president Of the Board of Com
missioners.
following the principal address by
Representative James NJ. Beck Of Penn
sylvania, white School children of di-
visions to sapg Washington, Fair
Capital" under the leadership of Dr.
E n. Barnes, music director; colored
school children sang To Thee. o
Country" led by Prof. A. H. johnson,
and Representative Woodrum of Vir-
ginia sang Garry Me Back to Old
Virginia. Sousa's Washington Bi-
centennial March," written especially
for the nine-Aonth celebration, and
''The Star Spangled Banner" concluded
the services.
Beck Makes Address.
Representative Beck interpreted the
policies of George Washington in the
light of today, aulogizing Washington
as belonging ito the few among mortal
men whose name Is timelesS." Beck
declared,
Indeed, the immortal substance Of
his reputation defies definition, and pos
tefity contents itself by saying, with
Abraham Lincoln: In solemn awe pro-
nounce his name, and in its naked,
deathless splendor leave it shfRing on >"
The Pennsylvania, noted authority
on constitutional law, expressed his be-
lief Sle First President was not an
"isolationist" In the strict sense of the
word, but that Washington believed
America could be a helpful member in
the family of nations without sacri-
flcing its independence and action"
I'm exercising the mighty influence
of this<great republic in the councils of
civilization" Beck said, I'VE need only
follow his wise advice, as eloQuently set
forth III that noblest testament that
the founder of a state ever gave to his
people, the immortal Farewell Address.
Speaking as an old and affectionate
friend. not only to his generation but
to all that were to follow in the tide of
time, Washington advised his people
not to irnplicate themselves in the or
binary vicissitudeS of European politics
or the ordinary combinations and col
nsiorS of her friendships and enmities.'
HIS feiteration of the word 'ordi-
nary is most significant. 1t implies
that IN extraordinary crises of civiliza-
ton America should not pursue policy
of isolation. He then recognized, and
would still recognize, that elemental
forces, infinitely greater than political
institutions, have united the once scat
tered nations in world community of
purpose and action.
& Washington's Words Quoted.
"He believed that America could be
q helpful member in the family of ma
tions without sacrificing its independ-
ence in decision and action. Such
would be his policy today, for, to quote
his own words, he would have us indie
!. pendent Of all and under the, influence
of none
HE gave us the shining ideal and
ultimate objective of our foreign policy
in urging US always TO give mankind
the Inagnanimous and too novel exam
pie Of a people always guided by an
exalted Justice and bepevolence.'
'zAs all great and noble soldiers, he
deprecated war except as last resort,
and yet regarded it as preferable to a
coWardly acquiescence IN injustice, for
he did not believe in peace at any
price When he delivered his second
inaugural address in December, 1893,
the world was, TO qoute his own words,
i'm an uproar,' and the difficult task OF
the United States was, as he then said,
to steer safely between Scyna and
Charybdis'
Recognizing that perpetual peace
could never come while the spirit Of in
justice remained, he solemnly warned
his nation not to indulge persuasion
that, contrary to the order of human
events, they will forever keep at dis
tance those painful appeals TO arms
with which the history Of every nation
ab6ulds' And he Solemnly added:
There Is a. rank due to the United
States among nations which will be
withheld, if not absolutely lost, by the
reputation for weakness. IF we desire
to avoid insult, We must be able to repel
it: If We desire 10 secure peace, one Of
the most powerful instruments of our
rising prosperity, it must be known
that We are at all times ready for war.
He never believed that mere readi-
ness for war would in itself insure peace.
With nations as with individuals, peace
full relations must, in the last analysis,
depend upon mutual spirit of good
faith and justice Therefore he urged
that we should at all times observe
SUCH good faith ard justice toward all
nations and, cultivate peace and har-
mony with all = To ubSerfe that policy
in its letter and spirit Is to be true to
Washington and to ourselves. and If We
are thus true, We cannot then be false
TO any nation.
He would have welcomed the present
noble effort Of the nations to insure
peace by an equitable limitation OF
arms. for> the last letter he wrote con-
tanned theSdeclaution that it was, time
to sheath the sword Of war and give
peace to mankind"
NOMINATED BY O. F. A.
ron nrnIITv DDcctnrNT