Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-07-08
INDEPENDENCE DAY AT WASHINGTON.

INDEPENDENCE DAY AT WASHINGTON
The seventy-ffth anniversary of our glorious in
dependence was celebrated III due form in this city,
by the national and municipal authorities, civil and
military, by the masonic lodges, the independent
order of Odd Fellows and other societies, and by
our citizens generally, in accordance with the pro-
CRANE published in our last In consequence of
the thunderstorm of the night previous the mer-
curry had fallen many degrees from the previous
days, the avenues were free from DUST the weather
was fine and all the elements combined to add com
fort to those who joined in the festivities.
The prominent proceedings of the day COM
prised the ceremonals at Capitol Hill IN laying
the cornerstone of the new structure for the en-
Iargement ofthe Capitol, by the President the
United States, assisted by the Grand Lodge of the
District of Columbia. The Presidentand the heads
ofdepartments, the mayor and other constituted
authorities of the city the general-in-chief fthe
| army, and other principal civil and military offl-
GERS, were present on the occasion.
The day was ushered in by the ringing of bells
at sunrise, and by salutes at the hayward and
the different military posts of the city.
At precisely II O'Clock the procession moved from
the City Hall under the direction of Richard w. Wal
lach esq., United States Marshal for the District OF Co
Iumbia and on reaching the Capitol the President and
for the corner stone, at the bottom OF an excavation
fifteen twenty feet deep. Prayer was here Of
Tered by Rev. Mr. Davis, chaplain OF the Grand Lodge
The stone common piece OF granite OF irregular
shape in which was excavated paralelogram cavity
about twenty inches long twelve inches wlde and ten
inches deep for the reception of the archives. We no.
ticed early in the day several pieces OF small coin OF
the United States-dnes, half dimes, &c. which had
been cast in by those who volunteered TO depose
transmittendum to poserity, In this receptacle was
deposited document in the handwriting OF the Secre-
tary of State and signed by him. stating briefly the fact
that the cornerstone was laid by Mlllard Fillmore,
President of the United States. The stone having been
lowered to its place. Mr. Walters architect OF the pro
posed edfice handed maet to the President who
struck the stone and pronounced it to be laid and then
returned the mallet to the architect Mr. b. B French,
Grand Master OF the Grand Lodge, then applied his
square, compass, and level and the work to
be we'll done.
The President and suite and the Grand Master
then assembled the platform on the eastern portlco,
where the latter delivered address appropriate to the
occasion.
Whereupon Mr.. Wbser Secretary of State, pro-
nounced an Grafton, which occupied hour and
half lin the course OF which he stated that in conse-
quence of the fatigue of the audience, he should omit
certain passages OF detail which may be expected to be
published with the address.
1t was impossible for us TO hear distinctly all that
Mr.. Webster said on this interesting occasion; and as
no copy OF his speech has been furnished U.s. 1t would
not be right to state minutely impressions OF its
character and merits We heard him in the ceebrat-
ed debate with General Hayne, when the subjects OF
notification and secession dscussed and seemed
to that although many years have passed since that
critical period, there has been no falling OFT in the force
and effect Of his style of oratory There was, perhaps
on this occasion less OF the animation and action
OF ertempore delivery, but more of the easy and calm
uerance Of the thoughts suggested by the nature OF the
OCCASION and the character of the associations brought
up by the CONDITION OF our country as it now is, COM
pared with what it was when Washington laid the
ner-stone ofthe Capitol. There seemed to be no in
tenon dwell upon any of the party feelings OF the
day. or to impress any other thought on such sub
ect than what is nseparable from the influence of the
veneraed name of Washington, in reminding all true
Americans of the duty OF maintaining the Union and
the constitution the only real security for their ia
vored institutions. In this part OF the SUBJECT Mr. Web
ster truly eloquent, and was most enthusiastically
cheered. He seemed for moment to have forgotten
his notes, and inclined to the belief that it he had
done often, his whole discourse would have
been more impressive
Take it as a whole however, we are of the opinion
that will be regarded of his best efforts, and
one which the whole country will thank him Tor, as pre-
senng thoughts, motives, and hopes that are calcuat
ed at this particular crisis in countrys unparalleled
career increase the love OF union, and elevate and
enlarge the patriotic and raernal affections which con-
stute people. There was some allGsion to the
inapttude OF foreign nations to the principles OF Amer
lean liberty which we did not clearly understand ard
which, perhaps, might have been omitted, because not
calculated to give additional weight TO the considera-
lions which should make esteem country as the
welcome asylum for the oppressed from whatever quar-
ter of the world they may come.
1.-Two infantry companies from Baltimore, and two
companies OF artillery from Alexandra, were present,
and participated IN the eeremonals. The lne whether
and expected occurrence OF the laying OF The corner
stone attracted large crowds OF people from the coun
try.
In consequence of the Presidents attendance at the
Capitol, the Executive Mansion not thrown open
for the reception of ysters has been usual this
anniversary. But after dark there was display OF
fireworks from the grounds souherly from the Presi
dents House. Immense crowds were on the grounds
to witness the display. There some complaint
thai there were rather too long intervals between the
different specimens of the fireworks which ought to be
guarded against in future exhibitions of the kind. At
the fatigue incidental to the Fourth OF July speca-
ed in the least possible time In the of the whole
day saw very few persons who appeared the worse
in consequence of Intoxicating drnks-a happy udica-
ton OF the progress OF the cause of temperance