The Mississippi Creole. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1841-1851, 1848-07-21
rhe Wnshington Monument.

The washington
The ceremony Of laying the corner stone
Of the Washington Monument, took place on
the 4th inst. From the Baltimore American,
we extract the following in regard to it.
This interesting event took place in WASH
inqton GA Tuesday last the 4sh inst.
The city was filled to overlooking with stran-
gers from every section of the Union, many
having left their homes hundreds Of miles of
for the purpose Of taking part in the ceremo-
mics of the day.
At few minutes before 70 o'clock, the va
rious bodies composing the great pageant be-
ing announced to the chief marshall to be in
readiness, the procession began to move
amidst The booming OF cannon and waving
of handkierhiefs in the hands of thousands of
ladies who filled the windows OF every house
in the handsome square in which the City
Hall is situated, and from which point the mill
itary portion OF it commenced its line Of
march.
The procession marched from the foot of
Capitol Hill up Pennsylvania Avenue to Four
teenth street, thence TO the bridge across tue
canal, and thence to the site selected for the
erection of the monument. The rear Of the
line reached the ground at h~alf-past O'Clock
The entire space intended for the foundation
hac been excavated, and around two sides Of
it were erected large covered 2avillions, capa-
bic Of seating from eight to ten thousand per-
sons, and they were mostly occupied by the
beauty and fashion OF the District and surroun-
ding neighborhood. Seats on one side were
reserved for the president of the United States
and other distinguished persons; adjoining
these reserved seats was the stand for the or
ator of the day, and Immediately opposite a
stand erected for the speakers of the Masonic
Fraternity. In front Of the Presidents seat
was a largo triumphal arch, through which
the MasoUs entered the excavation. All
things being ready the Grand Marshal Of the
Lodge made proclamation to that effect, when
the ceremonies ere commenced by the Rev.
Mr.. McJilton, Of the Episcopal Church, Grand
G haplain of the Grand Lodge of Maryland
who made an eloquent and impressive prayer.
Afterit was concluded, a hymn written for the
occasion, was sung by the assembled multi
tude, to the tune Of tOld Hundred"
The Hon. Robert c. Winthrop, of Masao-
c~husetts, the Speaker Of the House of Reprc-
sentatives, and orator OF the day, advanced to
the front of the stand and commenced his ad
dress. For the space Of two hours he enchain-
ed the breathlcss attention Of The mighty mass
around him, and at the conclusion all seemed
to regret that he had not more to say, for not
withstanding the heat Of the mid-sun, all pres
ent appeared DESTROYS to hear more from the
eloquent lips of the gifted speaker. The ora
tor was interrupted by loud peals of applause
and when he concluded a shout went W tat
fairly rent the air.
The solemn ceremony Of laying the corner
stone was then gone through with according
to the established usages of the Masonic Fra
ternity A list Of the articles deposited in il
covered nearly six pages of f~oolscap, and en-
brOced al kinds of political and statistical doc
uments, running through the entire period
from the formation Of the Government to the
present time, portraits of Washinton, mana-
zines, papers, a history Of all matters connec-
ted with the Monument Association up to the
time of laying the corner stone, besides a va
rlety of other documents.
B. B. French, Esq. Grand Master of the
Grand Lodge Of the District of Columbia, them
rose and made . very appropriate address, In
the course of his remarks he said that the apron
that he then wore was the same worn by the
Father OF his Country when he filled the Office
OF Grand Master of the Alexandria Lodge.
and the gavel which then held in his hand was
the sama which George Washington had for
merry used in the same lodge. Tho apron
was made and presented to Washington by
the lady Of that true friend of America, La.
fayette. Mr.. French further remarked that
in conducting the Masonic Ceremonies of the
day he had used the identical trowel which the
lllustriOus dead had used for a like purpose
in laying the CORNER stone Of the Capitol
The ceremonies were then concluded bv a
benedictlon, when the entire body returned IN
the city without the occurrence Of the sliohtes,
accident to mar the ceremonies of the day,
; General Taylor.