davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1941-02-16
By II. 0. Stechan.

Here in Washington a hundred
odd years ago an all but forgotten
United States Senator from Rhode
Island electrified a distinguished
dinner party given by Daniel Web
ster with a toast to the Father
of His Country" which-though it,
too, has been practically forgotten
still remains one of the most
brilliant eulogies to George Wash
ington ever uttered.
Ashur Robbins, 81-year old Whig
leader, was the speaker, and,
significantly, he climaxed his trib-
ute to the First American: May
his countrymen prove themselves a
people worthy of his fame"-a SEN
timent more pregnant today with
deep meaning to America and all
Americans, because of what is tram
spring in the world at large, than
ever before.
Himself a Senator from Massa-
chusettS, the ''godlike" Daniel served
his spread on a February evening
during the stormy 1878 session Of
Congress, as Andrew Jackson
wound up his second term as Pres
ident. The National Capital was
then as seething place as it is
now, for the political pie-cutting
was in the hands of such historical
figures as John Quincy Adams,
Martin Van Buren, Gen. William
Henry Harrison, John Tyler, Mil
lard Fillmore and James K. Polk,
all of whom occupied the White
House in their time. Besides them
there were also such giants as Hen
ry Clay, John G. Calhoun, Thomas
H. Benton and many others.
Notable Guest.
Outstanding among the scores of
Webster's notable guests on that
particular night was Senator Rob-
bins, scholar and orator of renown.
One of the elder statesmen of the
young Republic now, he listened at
tentively to various speakers until
called upon for a toast. Arising,
the patriarchal Rhode Islander
asked if they we're serious in max
ing such demand of so old a man.
Being assured they were, he prompt
ly addressed himself to February %
-"red-letter day in American his
tory, second to none"
"On the near approach Of that
calendar day which gave birth to
Washington" the venerable Sem
ator remarked, "I feel rekindling
within me some Of those emotions
always connected with the recol-
lection of that hallowed name. Per-
NIT me to indulge them on this oc-
casion, for a moment, in a few
words, as preliminary to a senti-
ment which I shall beg leave to
propose.
Il consider it as one of the con-
solations of my age, that I am old
enough to have seen that wonderful
man. This happiness is still COM
mon to so many yet among the liv-
ing that less is thought of 1t now
than will be in aftertimes; but it Is
no less happiness to me on that
account.
while a boy at School, I saw
Washington for the first time. 1t
was when he was passing through
New England, to take command in
chief of the American armies at
Cambridge. Never shall I forget
the impression his imposing pres
ence then made upon my young
Evening star., 1941-02-16
By John Claeeh Proctor.

From the very first anniversary
of the birth of George Washington
that took place after the Federal
Government moved to this city, the
natal day of the first President of
the United States was celebrated in
the new Capital.
This was on Saturday, February
%, 1900, and it was "a very fine day,
but very bad roads" said Mrs. Anna
Maria Thornton, wife of DR.. William
Thornton, designer of the original
Capitol. who also recorded in her
diary for that year that John Platter
had desired him to request DR.. T. to
attend at 2 o'clock to join the process
sion as Commissioner of the City OF
WaShington-they said they were
going to chapel, we concluded to join
them there. We got there pretty
late, but time enough to be part of
the service and the grafton. spoken
by Mr.. Walsh, one of the college boys
and a short piece of poetry by an
other, Master Lynch of New York.
About noon we returned home to
Evening star., 1941-02-16

I'm afterlife. when the judgment
corrects the extravaganza of early
impressions, I saw him on several
occasions, but saw nothing to ad-
Ronish me of any extravaganza in
my early impression. The impress
sion was still the same; l had the
same overpoWering sense of stand
ing in the presence of some superior
being
Supreme Place Won.
Aged AShur Robbins hearers hung
spellbound on his words as he pro-
ceeded:
1T is indeed remarkable, and I
believe unique in the history of
men, that Washington made the
same impression upon all minds,
at all places and at once. When
his fame first broke upon the world,
it spread at once over the whole
world. BY the consent of man.
kind, by the universal sentiment,
he was placed at the head of the
human species: above all envy, be-
cause above all emulation; for no
one pretended then, or has pre-
tended to beat least has been
allowed to be-the co-rival of Wash
ington in fame.
when the great Frederick of
Prussia sent his portrait to Wash
ington, with this inscription upon
it-'From the oldest general in Eur
ope to the greatest general in the
world'-he did but echo the senti-
ment of all the chivalry of Europe.
Nor was the sentiment confined to
Europe, nor to the bounds of civ
Evening star., 1941-02-16

ilization: for the Arab of the desert
talked of Washington in his tent;
his name wandered with the wan
dering SCythian and was cherished
by him as household word in all
his migratiOnS. No cline was SO
barbarouS as to be a stranger to
the name; but everywhere and by
all men that name was placed at the
same point of elevation and above
compeer. AS it was in the begin
ming, so it is now: of the future we
cannot speak with certainty. Some
future age, in the endless revolu-
tionS of time, may produce another
Washington; but the greater posi-
bility is that he is destined to re-
main forever, as he now is, the
Phoenix of human kind.
What a possession to his coun-
try is such a fame; Such a name,
illustrious and venerable among the
nationsn
Respect of World.
ITO all his countrymen it gives,
and forever will give, passport to
respect wherever they go. to what
ever part of the globe, for his
country is in every other identified
with that fame.
What, then, is incumbent upon
us, his countrymen? Why to be
such a people as shall be worthy of
such a fame-a people of whom it
shall be said: No wonder such a
people have produced such a man
as Washington! I give you, there
fore, this sentiment:
1.-The memory of Washington:
May his countrymen prove them
selves a people worthy of his fame!"
When the cheers which greeted
this gallant tribute subsidized, DAN
iel Webster is reputed to have said
that the Rhode Islanders eloquent
utterance summarized the likeliest
program for steering America
through the troubled waters ahead.
Remembering that it was voiced a
century ago and considering the
United States of Americas relation
to the current world turmoil, one
wonders what those who heard the
toast would think of how their de-
scendants have lived up to it's ideal
whether Washington's country
men have proved themselves a peo-
pie worthy of his international
fame?
In Only One Book.
For the preservation of this pretty
near forgotten Robbins eulogy
sole credit belongs to the Rev. John
F. Schroeder, D. D. As far as this
writer has been able to learn, 1t
can only be found in Schroeders
Life and Times of Washington, a
book published three -fourths of a
century ago and now no longer in
general circulation
Information concerning Ashur
Robbins is meager, history having
ignored him-the fate of many who
have served well. He was born at
Wethersf1eld, Conn, in 1757 and
died at Newport, R. l., in 1845. A
noted lawyer and classical scholar,
after IA years in the United States
Senate, Robbins did not deem it un-
worthy to return to the Rhode
Island Legislature for a term in his
-8os-like John Quincy Adams,
who went back to Congress after
being President. No modern ex-
ample of public service like that is
recalled.
Evening star., 1941-02-16
gons Birthday First Celebrated in the National Capital 1900
Death, Short Time Before,
Was Still Mourned When
Observance Took Place
Notable Services as Soldier,
Patriot and President of
Republic Are Recalled

the practice of law and also INDUCED
his literary habits.
To show Mr.. Watterston's real
work in connection with the building
of the Washington Monument, it is
necessary to go back to the Con-
tinental Congress and briefly review
the efforts made to erect a monu-
ment in honor of Gen. Washington
that would in every way be worthy
Of the patriot and soldier and so, on
August 7, 1888, it was resolved by the
Congress Unanimously, 10 States
being present. that an equestrian
statue of Gen. Washington be
erected at the place where the resi-
dence Of Congress shall be estab-
lished."
Resolution Adopted.
On the report of Mr.. A. Lee
Messrs. Ellsworth and Miff1in, a
committee appointed ito prepare a
plan of an equestrian statue of the
Commander in Chief" it was fur
ther
Resolved, that the statue be of
bronze, the General to be represented
Evening star., 1941-02-16
Distant KinSman of General
Read Farewell Address
To Oldest Inhabitants
Corner Stone of Monument,
Greatest Memorial of All,
Was Laid july 4, 1S4S

Apparently Congress itself was
neglectful in revering this important
day in the year, for as late as Feb
ruary %, 1888, at the meeting of the
association held in the Corcoran
Building, where now stands the
Hotel Washington, the President,
John Marbury, after introducing the
secretary, who read Washingon's
farewell address, said that he was
glad to know that the address was
to be read in the Senate chamber
and hoped that the custom would
never be neglected in the future.
The first official celebration of
Washington's Birthday in this city
came as the result of a joint reSo-
luton passed by Congress and this
was followed by a proclamation by
President Grant announcing the
holiday and reciting the text of the
resolution, but which, however, only
applied to the year 1876, which hap
pened to be the centennial year, or
the Tooth university of the signing
of the Declaration of Independence.
In this connection, In it's issue of
Evening star., 1941-02-16

secretary. The other members are:
Herbert Putnam, Right Rev. James
E. Freeman, Frederic A. Delano,
George E. Hamilton, Brig. Gen. U. S.
Grant Sd, U. S. A; Gilbert H. Gros-
venor, Cloyd Heck Marvin, Mark
Sullivan, John Spalding Flannery,
Charles C. Glover, jr.; Harry A. Gar
field, John Stewart Bryan, Chester
Wells.
The corner stone of this massive
structure, the gift of Thomas Sy-
monitor of Baltimore, and which
weighed 24,500 pounds, was laid on
July 4, 1848, nearly SO years ago.
and no doubt very few people are
living today who recall seeing this
notable event.
A considerable number Of docu-
ments and notwithstanding five oc-
tavo pages of reading matter-were
placed in the stone; newspapers, the
National Intelligencer, Union, Ma
tional Era and Sunday Evening News
of this city, together with 81 news
papers from cities outside of Wash
ington.
Evening star., 1941-02-16

with the Washington National Mon
ument Society, the forming of which
was due to the thoughtfulness of
George Watterston, son of David
Watterston, a native of Jedburg,
Scotland, who came to this country
in 1883, and to the city of Washing
ton in 1871, the year the corner
stone Of the District of Columbia
was laid He was a stonemason. and
evidently went to work on the Cap
itol Building when that structure
was begun two years later. and
continued to be so engaged until the
Evening star., 1941-02-16

summer Of 1899, when he opened a
marble yard near the Capitol. to-
gether with Robert Speiden, adver-
tising themselves as stonecutters
from Edinburgh. However, this firm
was dissolved one year later.
Rather a strange coincidence
David Watterston died in the City
of Washington on Washingtons
Birthday, February %, 1923, in the
10th year of his age and, according
to the Intelligencer, he was one of
the oldest inhabitants of Washing
ton.
Evening star., 1941-02-16

first librarian Of Congress by Presi-
dent Madison on March 81, 1915,
and shortly after the purchase of the
Jefferson library by the Government
for s23,O5o.
There was no civil service in An
drew Jackson's day and even the
smallest position went toward pay
ing some political debt; in other
words, to the victor went the spoils,
and so, on May %, 1929, Mr.. Waiter
ston was replaced with John S. Nee
han and the former again took up
Evening star., 1941-02-16

George WatterSton, the son, was
born in New York Harbor on Octo-
Der %, 1888. and naturally was
brought to this city with his father,
and here he witnessed the laying of
the corner stone of the Capitol Sep
tember l8, 1893, when he was nearly
10 years of age.
Though not a native of the Dis
trict, yet in all other respects he was
a typical Washingtonian-coming
here as a child. growing into man
hood here and living here until his
Evening star., 1941-02-16

memory of the first President in the
Nations Capital-or rather the one
next begun here-and the greatest
of all, was the Washington Monu-
ment, the cornerstone of which
was laid July 4, 1848.
The conception for the erection
of this imposing shaft had its origin
Evening star., 1941-02-16

death in the early part of February,
1854.
Named First Librarian.
The saying is that it is an i'll wind,
indeed, that does not blow somebody
some good had its application with
George Watterston, for it was chiefly
due to the burning of the Library of
Congress by the British in 1914 that
Mr.. Watterston was appointed the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-12-21

that extent, why not Mr.. Summers? She and
her father generally thought alike, if Sue put
her mind on it.
First thing did when got that inheri-
lance from my uncle, bought that little ole
egg farm" Harvey told Sue, not for the first
time Until he had met her he had been we'll
content to spend two nights week and all
his week ends out there with his feathered
friends and, of course, their caretaker. Even
now, when he was with his beloved, he fire.
quently thought of the busy. happy scratch
ing on his property with something akin to
outright nostalgia. As he had remarked to
Sue, soon he would be running the farm out
of the red, breaking even.
0HALL we go in and dance?" Sue asked
softly, all her plans wel[laid.
Precious" Harvey responded dreamily,
have you ever considered the egg?"
II don't think quite ="
1T is not only the greatest food possible
for man, but it is the cleanest'
Sue gathered up her frothy skirts "Shall
we go in and da -"
Theoretically sealed by nature, the egg
comes 10 you -
Isn't that fascinating! But I've Just
thought, Harvey, maybe I'd better 90 home.
If have to get Daddy up in time for the
seven-eight, I'll have to be up too
Mr.. Summers was awakened the following
morning by Sues singing. He bounded out of
bed.
''Sue!' he called over the banister, grid
ing his bathrobe tightly. What's the mat
ter?"
The singing stopped. Her face tipped up
from the lower hall. Matter, Daddy?''
You up and around and it's barely six
o'clock!''
well, had an idea, Daddy
Mr.. Summers shuddered If Sue was to
start having ideas at six AM, there was no
telling what might happen He grasped the
(Continved on pose 12)
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-12-21
AS a schemer. Sue was tops even if
results were not always Al. Witness
the eventful story of the 800 hens -.
by Virginia Dale
Illustrated BY George CorIond

Don't you, Sue?" he anxiously pressed
Il guess So"
Harvey breathed easier But why should
MT your father be simply delighted? mean
everyone in town knows he always wants you
to have what you want"
Only" Sue pointed out dismally, IF it's
good for me-"
Mean to say he won't think I'm good for
you?'
well, of course, he just barely knows you,
Harvey"
You know something, Sue? kind of feel
he doesn't like me-"
The same idea had struck Sue.
Precious - he reached for her again -
you've just got to remember what said
about girl cleaving to her fiance if, for in
stance, it was case of choosing between him
and ="
DUE nodded, knowing that direct cleaving
was far too direct a method for her to bother
with Her life had been prolific with embellish-
ments that eventually achieved her purpose.
What I'll just do" she announced, lis make
Daddy like you"
Harvey had not known Sue for almost six
weeks without learning land hearing) thing
or two about her. Practically everything was
in the class of solid platinum; but sometimes
when he was shaving or eating an oyster or
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-12-21

otherwise not completely concentrating on
her charm, he realized that Sue held no stock
in the old adage about the shortest distance
between two points being one straight line.
An unmarried woman in Southport who
had her widowed fathers best interests at
heart had reported to Harvey's aunt that
poor. dear Mr.. Summers had simply been
inveigled into presenting that clock, with its
maddening six Pm. siren, to the town so that
Sue would know when to tell Princess to
put the potatoes on. There were other things
too.
I'll make him like you," Sue repeated
meditatively. I'll throw you together lot "
Nov we're engaged, l expect I'll be around
your house great DEAL We can sit with your
father evenings before we 60 places"
Eyes, but I'd also be there to take your
mind off Father, Harvey Now in New York
it would be different, and you are both in
New York day after day"
But l have to work during the day."
Harvey recalled morosely. And l suppose
they keep your father pretty busy too"
why, Harvey Brown, you know my
fathers broker'
We'll, he works days, doesn't he?"
HE says hardly - in recent years. Be-
sides, he owns the firm. But this is my idea
Do you really have to take train as early
as the seven-eight every morning, Harvey?"
Eyes, because have to get to my Office
early BY doing that, can get off early twice
a week to go to my egg farm"
Father has been leaving later and later"
Sue reflected. He says since Roosevelt -
but Ill just have to make him go earlier. I'll
see that he makes the seven-eight. Then you
can sit with him all the way in to Grand Cen
trail and get really acquainted See?"
Fine. III tell him about my hens. That
ought to impress him. Because what other
fellow my age owns property like that?'
He could tell that Sue was impressed, 50
much so that she lost track of the orchestra
playing inside. And if she was impressed to
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-12-21
Il Short Story Complete in This Issue

Il Short Story Complete in This Issue
p RARvEY stopped kissing Sue so that he
could look at her. He looked and
- d breathed deeply, and in tones more
ecstatic than even Sue believed possible he
gave out, Now we're engaged
Even in the romantic dimness of the coun-
try club porch he saw doubt on Sues lovely
little face He clutched her Aren't we?'
Eyes. Except -"
Except what. precious?"
There's Daddy"
well. sure. suppose I'll have to speak to
your father about us. But he ought to be used
to your getting engaged by this time. Oh,
but Sue, this is entirely different, isn't it?
You never felt like this before. did you?
Tell me I'm the only man you ever really
loved!'
From the deep experience Of her eighteen
years Sue murmured, ''Oh yes, Harvey.
Except" she added in the interests of truth
fitness, my father, of course
Premonitions washed over Harvey. He
took Sues hand firmly. you know when
girl loves man and he s her fance like am,
well if it comes to showdown or anything
between her fiance and her father, why nat
uraly girl has to 60 and choose her fiance.
You believe in that, don't you, precious?
Why, /"
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-07-27

could marry the woman he loved
Up 10 this time. mind you, there
had been nothing between the two
except loving friendship, a ten
der understanding, and. Of course,
the eager wish for complete pos
session. No affair" as we
French say; no breaking Of the
rules. Then, stricken and deter
mined, the King told his mother
again:
Il am in love. The girl I want
could never be Queen of Belgium.
We both accept that fact. There
fore, l have decided 10 abdicate
Charles can carry on"
When Dowager Queen Eliza
beth heard her son, she was
wise and sorry and very loving.
She talked TO him again about his
duty TO Belgium. how that -rerrie
before everything else.
He answered Was she sure 30
In England they had just had
an example Of how the love Of a
woman was more to one man
than his duty 10 his ancient
throne. And he, Leopold, felt as
did the Duke Of Windsor.
The Queen tried to make him
understand that, perhaps, it was
his empty heart. his loneliness.
his young mans need for a wife,
rather than his love for this
particular girl, which made him
think of Indicating He shook
his head, sadly and unconvinced.
At least make me a promise.
Continued on Page III
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-07-27

At last King Leopold decided
ne could not live without the
beautiful French girl. He de-
cided TO give up the throne TO his
brother, Prince Charles, so ne
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-07-27

forbid the monarch to marry out
of royalty. But this next did
find out, surely. from a friend Of
mine who was lady-in-waiting
at the Court in Brussels.
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-07-27
Vitamins ore foods plan them into your meals

But orange juice is an excellent, natu-
raj source - and you drink it freShl
1t also gives you valuable amounts
of vitamins A, 81 and G; calcium and
other essential minerals. And you can
obtain further quantities from appe-
tizing dairy products, eggs, meats,
whole-grain cereals, fruits and
vegetables.
Start your family on the full-health
diet by having BIG glasses of fresh
orange juice for breakfast every
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-07-27

You'll find your Vitamin Head
quarters right at your own food
Dealers For three enjoyable meals a
day can give you all the known vita
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-07-27

minis : as we'll as "vitamins not yet
discovered
Foods also give you important
minerals. Extra calcium, for instance,
is a common need to bring diets up to
modern health standards.
You get all the vitamin c YOU need
for buoyant health from an S-ounce
glass Of delicious Sunkist Orange
Evening star., 1941-06-22

Once mans been in Jail, he don't stop out
long. I've seen it happen too often.'
He couldn't forget that. He didn't even
tell Nom, but it kept him awake sometimes
nights. He'd wake up from dreams in which
the woman was saying it.
Now Skeets was saying, Il guess they're
after him again all right
Joey's clenched fist wobbled Skeets back
against the brick wall; then he began to run,
because he couldn't stop to finish this with
Skeets just now. Well along the block, he
slowed down. You had to take it easy if you
wanted to - to help anyone in hot spot.
Pretend. Walk like there wasn't anything up.
Hands in your pockets Whistle.
Evening star., 1941-06-22

want any son of mine telling lies about me or
for me-
And Joey said: Can tell 'em you were
framed because you swatted guy who was
shooting at a cop? Can l tell 'em how you
saved the guards life when they ganged up
on him in the prison break? Can I, Dad?"
AND his father laughed. Tell them any
thing - so long as it's the truth, Joey. Better
forget the details, though. I've taken my
medicine see? Now I'm out, and I'm staying
out 1t made Joey kind of proud of his father,
but when he ran downstairs to find Benny
there was neighbor woman talking to two
other men. She was saying, quite loudly: