Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1824-11-04

Masonic On Friday last, pursu
ant to previous arrangements, the Cor
ner Stone OF the Western Ahu!ment OF
The Bridge now erecting across the Pc
tomac, was laid with masonic ceremo.
mes. On this occasion, the Bcethren
Of Charity Lodge were honored with
Inc attendance OF sevcr&l ), officers
Of the Grand Lodge of Maryland, and
Of The neigh5orIng lodges The ce-
remony of laying the stone was per
foI med Ivy B G. Howard, q M of
Inc Grand Lodge of Maryland, assist
ed by y. Ii. Williams. ) &. w; f..
rhgbman, w VI. Mount MorIah
Lodge, G Il Keeps, Grand Maishal,
pro tenn, anl other officers by depu,a-
tIon The whole procession consisted
Of about $50 of the masonic brethren,
and of Two volunteer companies from
Mary land underline command Of Cap
tains Thomas and Hall. The Grand
Master, on delivering over the tools
10 the Architect, thus addressed him
AS the Representative of the an
cient and honorable fraternity OF Free
Masons. L have it in charge to deliver
to YOU these tools, to guide aud assist
you in the work you have undertaken
Although this society is altogether a
moral association, you must remem
Der that TO its former efforts the world
is indebted for most OF the useful aud
Ornamental edlticss that exist. The
scene IN which we are engaged is par
tlcularly appropriate to the spot where
we now stand. Here, where the ri
yer has triumphed over the mountains,
let the genius of man triumph over
the river In en,rus,ing these nipple
ments to you. sir, we have the fullest
confidence, that the Structure you are
abou- to erect, will long remain to de
monstrate that even the barriers that
nature seems to have placed beiwc"n
the social aud commercial intercourse
OF man with his fellow man, are com.
pelle, to give to his inventive ingenui
~! willis, at the same time it will re-
fleet honor upon you and upon the Graft
IN whose name lnow present you with
these tools"
The procession then proceeded to
the Arsenal Yard, where seats were
provided, and neat and appropriate
Address delivered by the Grand Mas
ter of Maryland, IN which he alluded
to the prosecutions oil the fraternity on
the continent oil Europe, by the despots
Tho are ever trowning upon the slight
est dawn OF reason, and presenting
barriers TO the progress of civil liberty
He contended that the institution was
founded upon, and most clearly incul
Gated the principles of man with man,
and that this could be the oniy reason
why the proscriptive DEGREES of the
crowned heads OF Europe were direct
ed against it He remarked with
pleasure the simultaneous progress of
masonry aud civil liberty, the one be.
ing the insepardble companion of the
other. Masonry (said hey promotes
knowledge, and knowledge is an enc
my TO despotism--it dispels prejudice,
and prejudice is the very foundation
upon which despotism is reared. He,
therefore, thought it d matter Of congra
tulat,on, that " herever Liberty dawn
ed, the Tree of Masonry was planted,
flourished and expanded
This is only an imperfect sketch,
from memory, ola fe,U of the remarks
Of the Grand Master; aud we regret
that we have not an opportunity of pre-
senting them at large.
The concourse OF people, who attend,
ed as spectators, could not have fallen
shoIt of two thousand. Not an acct
dent or unpleasant incident occurred
to mar the pleasures of the occasion.
The work is steadilyprogressing IN.
der the direction of the indefatigable
Architect, Mr.. LEWIS WERNwAG,
who is already advantageously known
as "a bridge builder in various parts OF
the United States; and we look for
ward with pleasure to the ensuing
summer for the completion of a work
which will reflect high credit upon the
builder, and be source of profit to the
proprators, and OF great convenience
and advantage to the citizens of this
place, to travellers, and TO "a large por
lion of the citizens of Maryland and
Virginia.
There were deposited in the Corner