Evening star., 1938-09-11
By John Clagett Proctor.

By JOhn LIlgeft FfOCfOf.
~oMoRRow is Marylands great
historic day, when the at
tempted invasion of Baltimore
L by the British nearly a century
and q quarter ago was frustrated by
the gallant soldiers Of our neighbor
State.
The battle of North Point and the
'bombardment of Fort McHenry are
events which will never be forgotten
by the people Of Maryland, who will
ever fervently recall Gen. Stricken,
and that veteran soldier of the Amer
ican Revolution, Gen. Samuel Smith,
with the officers and soldiers under
their command, and the heroic and
capable Maj. Armstead.
Naturally, the people OF the District
of Columbia, from a strictly patriotic
standpoint, were much concerned in
these events of the War of 1925,
not only because our city had been
Inundated a month before by the
British, but then, it must be recalled,
that not long before that time the
principal part of the District of Co.
1umbia, as it then existed, belonged to
the sovereign State of Maryland, and,
after all, blood is thicker than water.
- - Since so many Washington are
descendants of Maryland stock, it is
but natural that large number of its
residents will take more than a pass
Ing interest in tomorrow's elections,
though we are ourselves diSfranchiSed
and unable to take part in this great,
otherwise natural privilege. But the
interest in the outcome will be there
just the same, as it has always been
in the past, indeed. ever since the be-
ginning of the city itself. How could
it otherwise be when thousands of its
voters are employed here, and many
are part-time residents.
IN THE years gone by we have
learned to know its politicians and
to admire many of its Representa-
tlves in Congress. such men, for in
stance. as Arthur P. German, who
was everything but a bona fide resi-
dent Of Washington. though he ac-
tually resided at 1882 K street NV
for many years when serving in Con-
gress as a Democratic Senator and
before that when he was a page in
the House of Representatives, later
going to the Senate side through the
influence of Stephen A. Douglas. He
died in Washington and is buried in
Oak Hill Cemetery.
He was fond of athletics and as
early as 1860 was catching for the
Washington Nationals. OF one of the
many games in which he took part,
The Star of September, 1860, has
this to say:
THE Match Game Between the
Potomac and National Clubs-An ex-
citing match game between the first
nine of the Potomac and National
clubs was played yesterday afternoon
on the grounds of the Potomac club,
situated south Of the Presidents
House. For some time previous to
the commencement of the game the
Executive Committee charged with the
duty OF receiving invited guests were
actively engaged in that capacity.
AT THE time set for the game to
begin. a large crowd of ladies
and gentlemen had assembled to
witness the exciting sport about to
ensue. The opposing mines were as
follows:
"On the part of the National
Messrs. Brown, Hibbs, German,
French, Dooley, Beale, Wright, Nc
Canant, Benner
"On the part OF the Potomac
Messrs. Smedberg, Bigger, Robinson,
Trook, Hartley, Wood. Mitchell, Camp
Wise
The Nationals were dressed in
deep blue pants and jackets and red
belts, with jockey caps and chamois
leather CATERS well clogged at the
heel and ball; while the uniform of
the Potomacs consisted of a light
gray dress of similar fashion in all
respects. both sides presenting q very
fine appearance, exhibiting as they did
some OF the best proportioned thews
and sinews in this community.
The preparations having been per-
fected, the word was given to play
and the boys went at it in fine style
The playing was good on both Sides
many fine strikes, runs and catches
being made. On the part of the
Potomac Club, Messrs. Wood, Trook
Hartley and Bigger batted exceed
lngly well, and Mr.. Mitchell exhibited
splendid running, often making a base
while the ball was passing from the
thrower to the catcher.
."0F THE National Club, Messrs.
Wright, Hibbs, German and
Brown made excellent strikes and
very flne runs. The best catch of the
day was made by Mr.. Dooley of the
Nationals, fly catch in the left field
from splendid strike by Mitchell.
Messrs. Hibbs and Bigger won golden
opinions on all hands as easy and
even pitchers; while the catchers-
Messrs. Smedberg and Gorman-occu-
pied their dif1icult posts with honor.
THE Clubs.
"National-Brown, 1b; Hibbs, D.;
German, c.; French, 2b; Dooley, H.;
Beale, CT; Wright, S.: McCanant, 3d.;
Benner, rf.; Mccormick, scorer.
"Potomac-Smedberg, c.; Bibber, D.;
Robinson. lb.; Trook, ss.: Hartley, 2b.;
Wood, 3d.; Mitchell, IT,; Camp, rf.;
Wise, CT; r. B. Irwin, scorer.
Umpires-J. F. Bean of Excelsior
Club of Baltimore.
I'VE give below score of the game
as furnished us by a member of the
committee:
Innings.
"National--- 2 / 70l1 1163
potomac S 8 3 81 5331
Potomac won by 16 runs.
Distance from base to base, 80
yards.
Number of balls bowled Bigger.
ITO; Hibbs, 202"
PERHAPS Senator German was
more closely attached to the
people of Washington and more iden-
titled with their interests than any Of
hi ox1,1o