The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-07-09
THE wAsr.lscros nosumEsr FESTIVAL.
rho Masonic Address.

we nave been furnished with copy Of the address
aeivefea by Benjamin B French esq. the Grand Mas
yer OF the District OF Columbia, in concluding the
ceremonies of laying the cornerstone according to ma
my respected Brethren Of the Masonic Frats"ity and Fell
:, Why have assembled here today9 What means
ms ms immense crowd around US For what, beneath
ba SUM- on this anniversary Of the birthday Of a nation
u" this vast multitude up, as came Israel OF old to
he dedication Of the Temp OF the Lord
twenty millions OF people would without whisper of dis
sent assemble here to-day to witness for i would be but
live in every American bosom as long as our great and gIo
rious Union shall exist.
We about to lay the foundation of n national
monument here in the city that bears his name, at this
seat OF the general government which his exerons estab
ished, to be consecated to the memory of George Wash
aThe world, the whole civilized world" says Almost
character Of Washingon blows with admiration TO that
name as tho exponent of all that great in patriotism and
earth take up praise when that is sylabled in their
ear, as if his virtue their inheritance The broadest
empires OF Europe while they shut out the light OF repub
lean truths acknowledge the lusre which our counys
father has thrown around the name Of MAN; and the se
play about the mid height of Mount Ubinoa republic
have M s small o boast S OF
the name and simple portrait Of Washington"
ing ceremony laying this should be perform
ed by U.S. my masonic brethren; for he whose name is to
make great national LANDMARK Tor all future time was
Freemason The soldier, the statesman. the and
good man. upon all proper occasions, clothed himself in the
the world his affection and for ancient
institution.
Washington mason, and OF his devotion to the craft
The Lodge from fredericksburg Virginia, is presents and
ing, passing, and raising Of "Mr George Washington"
and upon which may be the handwriting of the
Father Of his Country This and this sash, which
we1 ss s b9 While o e
States a. the laying OF the corner stone OF the Capitol
se in
upon the stand opposite which has been occupied by the
auence which shall be as immortal as the him whom
hs has SO nob eu1gzsd is the properly Of
by Washington, and occupied by him during the time IN
which he presided its deliberations These sacred and
invaluable relics ownedthe gavel by Potomac Lodge,
Georgetown the other articles by Alexandria Washington
We here, them to-day. on this Sabbath Of our
onal existence, only the presence of this immense
conSourss Of human beings but in the the Al
behalf OF great nation the performance OF duty which
that s to the S. Of :a aSo this
stone " i'll bear such emblems shall be calculated to
Of the Father Of his Country. but Of the country OF which
he was the father.
plain obe!isk five hundred in height Near the apex
Like that Of old, which gathered the wise at Beth
ehe in Judea may this be the guiding point to gather
OF our beloved and Union
feel my ieow-cizens, while standing here this
the United States TOR sacred purpose as if were almost
Inspired by The spirit of prophecy when say that this
among all these banners that are floating and waving
about me- nothing seen but the embems Of union The
gering that flash back the sunlight for protec
ton and defence Men OF all parties and all Christian
esy 70 @ Onion % o"s
mass should that defence be necessary Who them
dict that our constitution nagi, with 50 many blessings TO
mankind viii ever be broken in fragments and scattered
zon~i the aintes shadow q poendins danger is to be
there in the norh in the SOUTH in the east and
men the descendants Of the fathers Of this republic who
will stand by, and Defend and preserve this citadel Of lib
ey whole entre perfect as it now is to be the glory OF
First in the of the Most High, and next in that
great human name to manifest respect TO which we have
met here o-day-in the of George Washington-et
us all here assembled. the voice Of man. pledge
anew TO maintain the constitution which Wash
ngton powerfully aided in establishing and let also
mPlore upon our common country perpetuy happiness,
| and peace.
1t IS very common, upon the erection of monuments to
the dead to say that they are erected the
this is said with truth But the erection OF marble monu-
and sR liz
monument that die, where his name shall
hearts of five millions people; IS upon the hearts
OF twenty millions hereafter it shall be upon the hearts of
e shall all be gathered fathers, the generations
which have preceded us have been gathered TO theirs
Father OF his Country. 1t holy lesson; and say it
with the utmost reverence, and with profound convc
Of Him whom the heaven OF heavens cannot contain, from
purest and best OF morals but still say it holy
lesson, and second only to that much holy
which teaches say sour Father who art in heaven.
We will teach children, and they shall teach to
theirs; and upon that glorious monument Of human hearts
it shall be borne onward until time shall be more. We
then, this monument oil marble to enable
those who may succeed u.s. to remember Washington but
erectit mark of our affection, our generation tor
the memory of the great and good man whose name it
bears; and it shall hereafter be viewed by admirng
world the evidence all future time that this republic
ungrateul We here great, PATRIOTIC
aglOr work md w IA been
who that shall visit this city but will this spot and
while contemplating the monument oil nations Affection
but will feel his bosom and his heart expand with
the holy fire of patriotism His thoughts will
him alone whose shall BEAR but also that galaxy
great who only pledged everything, but rsked
everything that might stand here this day the proud
position which we occupy before the world.
Is there then, single individual among the millions
who hail this their country who, possessing the
ability will refuse the profered honor OF being permitted
contribute his mite to noble, patriotic an enterprise
trust not one
The fraternity Freemasons recur with proud salts
faction revolutionary struggle, when they remember
that general officer OF the American armies
Feemasonat beast the pen OF history has made
up the record; and he, whose eyes never beheld
That hieroglyphic bright
Which none but craftsmen saw"
died traitor to his country
This grand and imposing assemblage is at this moment
graced and honored with The presence of the Royal Arch
apron owned and worn by Gen. Joseph Warren, who fell
AT the battle OF Bunker Hill, the first heroic martyr of high
rank who poured his blood cause of American
liberty. sf. --I -l-
General Warren Grand Master of Freemasons in
America. The apron TO which have alluded is now in
the possession Of worthy brother Of the craft, who has
ourneyed from Boston this city Join ceremo
Mes and has brought with him that sacred relic of
past that the Of Warren, mmoFalxed BY his patriot
s ms vaor and his early but glorious death, might be