Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-02-25
Monday Morning, February IS, 1850.
THE TWENTY SECOND OF FEBRUARY.

the imposing ceremonies of Friday transpired in
this city. When we say that the concourse of per-
sons which thronged the Northern portion of the
Capitol Square and the adjacent streets, after the
arrival of the great military and civic procession,
was by many estimated to number thirty thousand
souls, it may be imagined that the day was one of
unequaled interest.
The Procession was formed, at an early hour,
at the appointed point in Main street. The Pre-
sident of the United States and his suite, with the
other guests invited by the Governor; the diff
ferent military companies, and civil societies and
ORDERS took their relative positions designated in the
programme. The line was much the longest ever
seen in our city, and was about an hour and
quarter in passing any point. Before the
head of the Procession reached the Square, the
seats that had been provided on either side Of the
site for the Monument, were filled, and great
mass of human beings pressed closely to the spot.
whilst vast number occupied the grounds near
the Capitol and the City Hall. A detachment of
the Public Guard with the Dragons, having
cleared the space about the large circular pit which
had been dug for the reception of the stone
the Governor, with President Taylor on one arm,
and President Tyler on the other, followed by
Mr. r. G. Scott, the Masonic orator of the day.
and other persons of distinction, advanced; the
Governor took his position by the side of the cor
ner stone and the other gentlemen ascended
tall platform erected in the centre of the great
walk The members Of the Masonic Fraternity,
OF the higher Degrees occupied the steps formed
in the firm earth on the sides of the pit, and pre-
scented, with their rich insignia, very picturesque
scene
The ceremonies were opened with prayer by
the Rev DR.. Empie, who was arrayed in the Ma
sonic guse Then followed the mystic rites usu-s
ally performed by the Masons on such occasions.
The records and other memorials, collected for the
purpose, were placed in the compartment prepared
in the large neither stone presented by the James
River and Kanawha Company. The granite
capstone, presented by the Richmond and Danville
Railroad Company, was slowly let down to its po-
sition by means of strong pulley, the Governor
assisting TO adjust 1t.
The Masonic rites over the stone being complet-
ed the Governor assembled the central platform, and
Mr.. Robert g. Scott, addressed his brother Nasons,
and the audience at large, in speech of somewhat
less than an hour. He spoke chiefly of General
Washingtons connection with the Masonic Fra
ternity and his attachment to their order and pro-
duced some very interesting memorials of his Ma
sonic history. Amongst these were the record of
his initiation into Lodge No A of the town of Free
dercksburg, in 1852, and the apron sash and
gloves which he wore on the occasion of laying
the corner stone of the Capitol at Washington
Mr.. Scott also exhibited, a small ~si,k mantle in
which Gen. WashingtoYI,- when an infant, was
baptized, in his mothers arms This very re-
ton by the vast audience.
Gov Floyd followed Mr.. Scott, and spoke with
voice of extraordinary power. His subject was
the military and civil character of Washington,
and the sentiments of veneration which he warm
" ipculcated were received with great feeling
and enthusiasm. In conclusion, the Governor
made very appropriate illusions to Ex-President
TYLER, and to President TAYLOR, both of whom
sat near him. The reference to General Taylor
ELECTED deafening cheers from the vast crowd
The Rev. Mr.. Cowles concluded the pre-ar-
ranged ceremonies with brief prayer.
Mr. Mayo, the delegate from the city, then
came forward, and said he had the honor to pre-
sent to his fellow-citizens Gen. ZACHARY TAYLOR,
the President of the United States. Gen. TAYLOR
spoke few unpretending sentences, which were
received in the spirit of hearty sincerity with
which he uttered them He modestly expressed
the pride with which he looked upon Virginia as
his native State, and declared that his long alb
sence from her borders had never caused him to
forget that she was his mother.
After this brief address, the President descend
ed from the stand, and mingling with the crowd
walked towards the Northern front of the Capitol
where, in company with Col. F. H. Smith, he re-
viewed the corps of Cadets from the Virginia Mi
litary Institute The President declared himself
highly gratfed with the appearance and beaut-
full discipline of this noble band of youthful sol
ders. The Cadets seem indeed to have won
golden opinions from one and all.
The troops, after leaving the square, were
marched to Stuart's Factory, in one of the spa
cious rooms of which collation. had been pre-
pared, at the instance of the City Council. The
President present at this collation. for short
time, and made few remarks to the volunteer
Companies, expressive of the confidence with
which he had always relied upon the volunteer
service.
The events of the day were closed with some
beautiful fireworks from the Capital Square and
CANDLES Hill, and magnificent Masonic Ball at
the Union Hotel.
We should not omit mentioning that during the
marches of the different military corps and at in
teryals during the ceremonies on the Square, in
OH b,zI
the celebrated Old Point Band, which visited the
city under the orders of General Bankhead, and
also by the fine bands of the Public Guard and the
Blues.
Amongst the troops we were hanpY 70 see two