Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-07-08

on horseback, sngly and in little squads, strayed
ABOUT 40 the cool breeze and bright sum- seeming to
ENJOY lher existence. Further down was tine seat
q ac'lon. Here, in hollow spread with boards,
anu surrounded with seats, crowd began to gather
20 witness inc ceremonies of laying the Corner
Stone, and to listen to the addresses with which il
was to be accompanied Around two sides OF this
space were high and solidly-cons,ructed ranges Of
seats, hired out to spectators covered with awnings
and affording favorable position for seeing and
hearing.
temporary arch was erected, covered with color
ed cotton, and suitably embelshed. But its most
interesting and attractive ornament was 4 living
American Eagle with its dark plumage, piercing
eye and snowy head and tail, who seemed to look
with anxious gaze on the unwonted spectacle be-
low. Ihls, we understand is the same eagle which.
in Alexandra, surmounted the arch of welcome there
erected to LAFAYETTE and TO complete its honors
and its public character it has since been entrusted
TO nj. vattemare, to be presented to the National
Museum IN Paris. He is now forty years old, but
is sufilcienuy vigorous to warrant the idea that the
eagle lives century. This one, at least, will live
in our columns that length Of time.l On one side
was gallery, or shaded rostrum, for the Committee
OF Arrangements and the Orator Of the Day on the
other smaller one, and more ornamented for the
Masonic Officer who was to preside in the cere,
mony OF laying the stone. Here the crowds gather
ed. The vast sloping amphitheatre of seats pre-
sented an unbroken sheet Of human countenances.
In conspicuous position seats were provided for
Mrs. MADISON and Mrs. HAMILTON 20 whom the
orator in his address most touchingy and eloquenty
alluded. While over the whole the banner of the
Union, spread and displayed by the willing breeze,
seemed proudly to extend its ornament and pro-
lection. rt e
At length the whole procession had arrived and
taken the several places and stations assigned by
the Committee of Arrangements the artillery ceas-
ed to thunder the bells to peal, and the exercises
of the day began.
Prayer was offered to the Throne Of Grace BY
the Rev. Mr. McJilton, of Baltimore, Grand Chap
lain of the Masons
The Hon. ROBERT c. WINTHROP, Speaker Of the
House of Representatives, the appointed Orator of
the day, then rose and delivered an Grafton, which,
for eminent propriety and appropriateness TO the
occasion, Tor classic purity of dicton, unaffected
ease and grace in the delivery, manly, heartfelt,
thrilling eloquence and patriotic fire, has perhaps
never been surpassed The course Of the breeze
was favorable in waiting the rich and sonorous
tones of his voice toward the audience before him,
and they responded to it, pulse to pulse by Oft
repeated bursts of applause: Of the speech there
is, SO tar as we know, but one opinion. Mr.. WIN
THRop was fully up to the occasion, and has erected
for himself, if ne had none other, an imperishable
iuouuiHcIit VI iCHOWH. AS w EBSTER 8 great speech
is associated with the thought Of the Monument at
Bunker HILL SO will that Of WINTHROP be coupled
with the recollections of WAsHINGToN's Monument
at the Seat OF Government. When shall we have
occasion for third, and where shall the man be
found! II is an enviable lot and though our coun-
try abounds with good speakers, (for the faculty
seems Unborn In our people,) yet it can rarely
happen that such an occasion shall be presented for
the display of eloquence in its noblest form. Mr..
WINrHRoPs success is heightened by the exceed
ing difficulty OF the subjects its intrinsic great
ness having made it familiar to every mind. Yet
throughout this speech, from the beginning to the
end attention never for an instant paused lost its
reward.
He was followed by Mr.. B. B. French, Grand
Master of the Masonic fraternity, who made an adj
dress appropriate to his position and his Order;
at the conclusion of which Mr.. f. descended from
his stand, and, taking his position on the stone,
preceded to consecrate it by the usual masonic
ceremony.
The ceremonial being thus far completed, and
wanting only the benedction, Mr.. FRENCH inquired
whether the Rev. Mr.. GURLEY, Chaplain to the
House of Representatives, Whose name had been
set down by the Committee of Arrangements, was
present, or any other ordained minister not belong
ing to the Masonic fraternity; but none respond
ing, he turned to the reverend Chaplain who, pro-
nouncing the apostolic benediction, dismissed the
assembly.
The troops formed again and took up the line OF,
march; the various societies followed, and all made.
their way, with banners flying and music sounding.
till the head of the line halted on Pennsylvania
avenue, where the military were reviewed by the
PRESIDENT Of the United States.
And here we cannot repress the tribute so emf
nently due to the Committee of Arrangements and
the Chief Marshal and his efficient aids, for the
very judicious manner in which the whole proceed
ing was arranged and conducted Nothing seemed
to have been forgotten every thing was in its
places and the entire celebration went of with an
order, quetness, and decorum in the highest de-
gree creditable to all concerned. There was no
drunkenness, no rowdyism, no squabbling nor fight
ing; but the vast multitude dissolved and dispersed
with a calm and satisfied cheerfulness which had
nothing to remember with regret.
This deep and general interest in laying stone
to WASHINGTON is, we confess, cheering sign of
the times. The appreciation of their greatest and
best man, associated and bound upas his name
must ever be- with great patriotic, and vrtuous
thoughts, seems to show that, in these already du-
blous days of the republic, there remains that in the
bosoms of all Americans which hiqh-amine,
lofyspiriied, enlightened and far-seeing admins
traton of our affairs would again raise into national
strength and unity, and kindle into pure, disinter-
ested, seli-deyoting patriotism: in word. might re-