Washington Birthday Celebration

University Hall was packed Wednesday by students, who had come out to hear the address of Stephen A. Douglas. The stage was beautifully decorated with the stars and stripes, while around the edge of the gallery hung in graceful folds the yellow and blue. A fine portrait of Washington hung on the wall in the rear of the stage, while near the speaker's desk were arranged a nutnber of potted plants. At two o'clock the law students marched in a body to the hall and took possession of the front seats. While the crowd was gathering, the different classes amused themselves by giving the University and class yells. Pandemonium reigned for more than half an hour. It was nearly three o'clock when Prof. Knowlton, followed by Mr. Douglas, A. W. Jefferis, Prof. Thompson, Prof. McLaughlin, Mr. Naegely, and Ferris S. Fitch, made their appearance on the stage. The exercises were opened by the rendition of "America" by the University Glee Club. When Dean Knowlton arose to introduce the speaker, the law students tendered him a great ovation, arising to their feet and cheering vociferously. In a few neat and appropriate words the Dean introduded the speaker, giving his theme as "The Right Man in the Right Place." Mr. Douglas, in personal appearance, resembles in some respects President Cleveland. In stature he is not so tall and his neck is much shorter. He began his address by saying that owing to recent illness he had not been able to prepare an appropriate address for the occasion. The audience before him, he believed, demanded the best efforts of any speaker. He believed that the twenty-second of February should be regarded as the Sabbath of American liberty. The speaker prefaced his remarks by giving a short sketch of the history of the Anglo-Saxons. New England was settled by the enterprising Saxons, while the colonies of the South were settled by the chivalrous French Normans. The people of the two colonies in New England and the South differed widely in some respects. When the Revolutionary war carne on. the colonists demanded a man for a leader who possessed some of the qualities of the people of both sections of the country. 1 ton, by birth, was an aristocrat, but did not regard it a disgrace to labor. These traits of character fitted I Washington to be the leader of the 'colonists. The people of all sections of the country knew him. Continuing his line of thought, the right man for the right place, Mr. Douglas next touched upon the slavery question. The speaker said that he was born in the South, but had emigrated from there at the mature age of three months. He maintained that the Abolition party never could have freed the negro. Lincoln was not an Abolitionist, but a Free Soiler. The speaker said that when a boy he was often thrown into the company of Lincoln. In his opinión God never made a more clear-headed or cleaner-handed politician than Abraham Lincoln. The superior qualities of General Grant were also discussed. An account of Grant's life was given after he graduated at West Point. The ten years of Grant's hustling for a living, as a farmer and store clerk, fitted him for his future military career. Grant's success as a military leader, Mr. Douglas believed, was due to the sympathy that existed between himself and his men. It was Washington's dual character and Grant's work in civil life that fitted them for the careers which they so successfully filled. In speaking of the future of the nation, the speaker said: "It is one of my beliefs that there is no party that can ' bust ' ths nation." The good sense of the people and a kind Providence will take care of the Republic. Ia concluding his remarks Mr. Douglas said that he did not profess to be an orator. He said that he did not travel about the country on his silver tongue, but on his shape. The Glee Club again appeared and sang the "Yellow and the Blue" with true University spirit. The song was followed by a storm of applause. The club was compelled to return and give another selection, " Ann Arbor, 'tis of Thee.' The programs given to the members of the law classes were neat souvenirs of the occasion. The names of the committees, class officers, and the program, together with a good cirt of George Washington, were printed on the cards. They were very artistically gotten un. the work beinar done bv Beakes