Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1938-05-18
SETTLERS IDEALS
HELD ESSENTIAL
Columbia Historical Society
Hears PIumIey Urge
Freedom Vigilance.

Representative Plumley Of Vermont
last night urged Americans Of today
to remember the courage Of early SET
tiers Of this country and the funda-
mental principles for which they stood.
Speaking on "Sidelights Of His
tory" at the 300th meeting Of the
Columbia Historical Society in the
Mayflower Hotel, Mr.. Plumley said
the fundamental principles Of Gov
eminent today are the same Is they
were during the time OF the early
settlers. Through the diligence Of
the early settlers, he pointed out.
Americans have continued to enjoy
freedom and equal rights. He urged
the citizens Of today to continue to
exercise the same care and courage
for good Government.
Later in his address Mr.. Plumley
stressed the importance Of persons
reading good books, to develop the
proper culture and perspective. "The
influence Of good books is greater on
the world today than ever before and
the influence Of bad books is worse
than ever" he said.
A brief history of the Columbia
Historical Society was given at the
the meeting by Allen c. Clark, its
veteran president.
Cites Pictorial Record.
"A presentation Of the Capital City
pictorially can be created of any
period of its life from the records of
the Columbia Historical Society,"" Mr..
Clark said.
Founded by So prominent citizens,
Of whom Theodore w. Noyes is the
last surviving founder, the society
held its first meeting March 8, 1894,
in the presidents room in the old
Columbian University. at Fourteenth
and H streets, Mr.. Clark related.
The society has had Ave presidents,
Mr.. Clark pointed out, including Dr..
Joseph Meredith Toner, at whose home
the society held some Of its early
meetings at 1445 Massachusetts, avenue
NV; the late Representative John A..
Kasson Of Iowa, who also served as
q foreign minister; Judge Alexander
B. Hagner. DR.. James Dudley Morgan,
physician, and Mr.. Clark.
Records Of the society are written
in 80 volumes. the speaker said,
adding: These records, the thumb
marks indicate, have frequent refer
ence in the Libraries at home and
elsewhere"
1.-THE records have the administra-
tons Of the mayors complete, that is,
from 1900 to 1871" Mr.. Clark said
From the first Adams to Lincoln are
the addresses OF welcome to the Presi-
dent-elect and of farewall upon the
departure and the presidential re-
sponses." These addresses, Mr. Clark
said, should be collected in one
volume" declaring: 1T would be q
volume Of classic expression"
Historic Gavel Shown.
Mr.. Clark showed . gavel-pre-
sented the society by the late Dr.
Morgan, one of its former presidents
made from q cedar that stood at the
original grave of Maj. L'Enfant
planner of the City of Washington.
Frank E. Hickey. president Of the
Massachusetts, Society of Washington
in q brief address from the audience
urged national celebration of the an.
niversaries of the battles of Lexington
and Concord, pointing out their sig.
nificance in early American history
Others who spoke briefly included
William E. Richardson. president Of
the Society of Natives of the District
of Columbia: James F. Duhamel
Charles H. Bates and Edmund Free.
man.
Greetings were read from Col
Edwin A. Halsey. president Of tn.
Virginia Society of the District; Gov
George D. Aiken of Vermont, ane
from John Spargo. author. who /
president of the Vermont Historical
Society. Refreshments were served
under direction of Miss Maud Bur-
Morris, secretary of the society. Free
A. Emery. vice president, presided ane
introduced the speakers The meet.
ing was the final one of the society
until fall.