Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1850-02-26

M lGndens OF church, 10 have approved the reten-
non OF the booty flr ordered and made ills restoration
der strong military escort accompanied by the declaration
mat ms conntrymen waged war against phlanIhrophy
and benevolence
The hour o peace arrived Our beloved great man had
passed, untouched and mharnIed through manya hard
fought battle, and kind and watchful Providence had
guarded ana saved him. for long life OF inter usefulness
Ills military laoors terminated the heights Of York
town In TINT village, Lodge No. O. where after the
siege had ended Washington and Lafayette, Marshall and
Neson came together and by their uon bore abiding
timony 10 the beautiful cIets of masonry. The simple
white apron the unsoled and unspotted lamb skin wear
were the property Of that Lodge Retirement TO The quiet
shades OF Mount Vernon did remove Washington from
ms Masonic iaoors and usefulness On the 2sth day oil
April, S8 Edmund Randolph the then Grand Master and
iovernor OF Virginia issued charter TO Alexandria Lodge
No 22Of this Lodge, Washington member and was
constant and pncua and ever ready 10 communicate light
and instructonthat light which time has deemed
and that instruction. the bounu fruits of which, man
ested IN the uniform prosperity of the Lodge and its
numerous and respectable attendance here Elevated short
y after this to the first Office in the Republic he is yet
found in constant correspondence and nctve connection
with The Masonic body His letters w.ltten in 1888 7Si
$780, 79l 1892 and 1897 speak the language of true
faithful and ardent follower of Masonry. At all times
whether in the working of Lodges the open ceremonies
Of public occasions, he ready TO perform his part
When the Capitol Of the nation commenced he was
present and the leading ac,or that occasion But he
was there as Mason THIS marble male, or master 5
gavel, was then used BY him, and is the property Of
Georgetown Lodge, in the District of Columbia. This apron
and sash here the speaker held up these ancient rccs
and the high moral instruction derived from the other
With these simple relics Of oden times how many and inter-
esng associations spring up That apron and sash
in 1874 nostcned with the aeconate OF the guant
Frenchnan who toiled and shed his blood for They
are yet tho property OF Alexandria Lodge and the liberal
gifts Of Lafayette to his brother Washington Inesmaby
valuable this connection renders them OH how precious
and above all price do they become especially with you my
connirywomen, when we know they prepared al La
Grange and are the work of the fair hands Of Nadine De
Lafayette Keep and preserve them my kind brothers Of
Lodge No. ~ unused and unwo by any, the elevated
and distinguished They ae sacred legacies 10 you and
never can be looked that the mighty name and virtues of
Washington do not freshly spring up before us. The mas
ers chair oowas given BY Washington TO the same Lodge
He often occupied it, and may II continue be adorned by
who may initiate, equal tie donor
in WISDOM strength and beauty Such is IN imperfect and
hainished outline of his Masonic character ani services
He died as he had lived devoedy of and buried
ns he desired, with Masonic hono.s.
If we look for bright and spoess exampleif w. seek
for light and truth we desire follow the blazing path
way of noble spirit then Washington should be beacon
light by him may be guided BY a cloud by day and
he failed TO nculcate peace earth and good will 10
all men"
lived in other periods would have given use to their times
But he stands alone in the temple As the chief key and
stone Of that temple he sustained and supported 9th
tried and irusty wokmen franklin the scholar and the
Warren the first Grand Master of Masons in Amer
and whoded loved and admired gaany battling fol his
countrv-Laayette Greene Marshall Mercer and Randolph
his Masonic associates 1t is Of such these that our
temple has been erected They the examples of own
country, the bright and shining lights of our order adding
thai all the Major Generals of the Revolutionary army
ceEt one, Master Masons Each of them had behed
Tha, heroglyphi bright,
Which but craftsmen
And all that bcnghted died respected and bcoy
ed lie alone proved traitor and went 10 his grave stamp
ed with tie infamy Of traitor Turning TO lime the
lights masonry burn yet brilliantly. How many OF our
best and pures do find united with its hopes lis
and its fortunes.
Look around us now and behold the who blush nj
being hailed sincere and honest Masons and them
selves honoed with being this day with and dressed with
the simple badge o white apron. Yes in this stands the
Governor Of our State the respected frs, officer OF the Com
monwealh He is OF Shall tell you who sits beside
himl Does the hero Of the Rio Gande the victor of Buena
VISTA the elected President Of the nation who has long
served his country with devotion and fidelity and although
# u.s. require higher compliment than TO say that
he too will meet us as 4 brother!
Bur among we have young members, ana deyo
ted associates; old friend and amabe brave and true
Scden the hero Of Chapuepec and the sterling soldier too
of the ancient county of Amelia, he who gorously won
his bevet at Resaca de la pamaIhe gallant Graham-they
others of the craft.
Well may this the greatest assemblage of Masons col
ected in this commonwealth exclaim show lovely and how
beautiful II is for brethren to dwell in harmony and peace
The power and the influences of order here most
happily exemphed So great indeed have these been known
be- that in the heat and fury of the battle strife when
men, the red and wild Indians of the forest mad
dened by rage and the ping knife gnd tomahawk were
reeking with the blood Of their victims single word hns
stricken down and paraized the upited of the warrior
and saved his prostrate and foe. Such was the
the river Rasn.
But forbear-l have passed the limits imposed on self
There but sentiment which pcryades the hearts vi this
multitude but desire that anmaea ul il that
this monument with which the honor and gratitude Of the
State ndssouby associated may be speedily and
successfully completed And spirits of departed Fathers
ask you look down and encourage us with your
smiles and your blessings in this great and audabe -
dcakng
Governor Floyd then pronounced beautiful and impress
siye address which we are compelled defer till another
day.
The ceremonies closed with benedction by the Rev
Mr. Cowes Of the Methodist Church and grand salute
from the Artillery.
Joseph Mayo Esq., introduced 10 the assembled multitude
President Taylor who made few remarks.
The Masons then proceeded to Military Hail. where
bounu collation. had been spread having been prepared
b. Chas G. Thompson the skul OF "Our House"
In the course of the merry scene R. W. John Dove gave
"Our sister Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia
Though small in geographical dimensions she wields in
ucnce by her zeal and talents surprising the most eXen
siva of u.s."
NJ. W. Grand Master b. B. French responded with the fol-
lowing
sour fnterna union of Free Masons, and orr glorious
union of freemen-llay they be perpetual"
The President was toasted and responded and proceeded
to the splendid collation. Stewards Factory prepared by
the city the military and the Fire Association the following
gentlemen acting committees, viz S. ID. Denoon and
NJ Darlington on the part of the City Council Caps W. NJ
Elliott Ro NJ Nmmo and j. b. Danforth the par. OF the
military, and j. j. Fry and W. C. Walthal on the part OF
the Fire Association Our other engagements prevented US
from enjoying these merry colatons.
az p M the Capitol and the surrounding space were
lii mp b. brilliant Fireworks "bombs bursting in air. &C.
OH The semi circle in front of the Southern portico.
The day closed with magnificent Masonic Ball al the
Union Hotel beginning at g. NJ and ending about T. A.
~ 1t was one of the brilliant scenes we have ever
Witnessed The front of the Hotel was beautifully decora
ted with "Washngton" in words of fire. and Sun OF re-
splendent brilancy The gay costumes OF the Masons
lin their grand entree the transparencies and other
decorations in the Ball room the flashes OF beauty rare-
y supassed) from least three hundred pairs OF eyes,
the presence of the President of the United States and Go
vernon of Virginia. with their suites the music OF the Ar
mory Band but better tr The music OF sweet tongues at
tuned Joy and happinesstheae few OF the features
of picture which leave skilfu hand 10 fill
Richmond and the neighboring counties and towns were
personated by their brightest Jewelsand Mr.. Crawford
might have selected unequaled models for the lovely
of Virginia. which decorate the Washington Monument
Before the dancing began Mr. Tgg the part of the la
dies of Richmond in appropriate address, presented rich
banner the Knights Tempar which Mr. August received
in eloquent The splendid supper shall begin
to describe