The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1856-06-20

Laying tho Cornerstone.

NJ, and the Lodge of the True Brother
hood No. 81, ~. f.. NJ. The Rev. BROTH
er j.. IS. Hort acting Grand Master.
Franklin Pierce, President of the United
States.
james ii. Adams, Governor of the State
OF South Carolina.
R.f. W. Allston, President of the Senate.
James Simons, Speaker of the House of
Representatives.
Gen. james Jones, Commissioner Of the
State House.
John MNicrnsee, Architect.
John a. Kay, Assistant Architect.
G.F. Berg, Draugl,s.nan.
italpl' +. i. llcwetson, Time and Mate
rial Keeper.
1. j. Cullen, Assistant Time and Material
Keeper.
Columbia, S. G., June 0, \. d. 1856, 4.
l.. $3.50, and in the eighteenth year of Amer
lean Independence.
There was also deposited the last spccch
OF the lion. }. G. Calhoun, which he de
livered on the 24th March, 1850. Also
coins Of The United States.
After tho Mascns had organized and
arrived at the building, the ceremony was
performed by Rev. L. II. Hort, acting Grand
Master; Jacob Levin, Deputy Grand Mas
ter; !. ID. Mordccai, Senior G. W.; John
y. Moor, Junior, &. W.; Il. Anderson.
Grand Marshal; John a. Kay, Grand
Treasurer; 1. w. lIoallcy, Grand sccrc-
tary.
The several anthems were sung by gen
tlcmen who volunteered OH the occasion.
Aitcr which, Mr. Niernscc made u short
address upon having the work delivered to
him ly the Masons.
Prof: }. l.. Reynolds then addressed the
asscmGlagc, Oh the subject Of the fine arts
in general and architecture in particular, as
follows:
PROT Reynolds commenced his address
by congratulating his felow-citizcns OH the
laying OF the cornerstone of an cdi6cc
which promised to be an ornament TO the
Slate: The character Of the asscmblacc
was, he thought, beautifully significant Of
the liberal institutions Of the country
Here were assembled the representatives
OF the different nations of Europe, the En-
giishman, the Scot, &C., uniting with the
SONS OF the soil i'll presenting a common
offering upon the altar Of our cherished
commonwealth. lie then touched upon
the subject Of architecture, Which he deem.
Cd an important portion of the history
OF apcople. 1t is the external representa-
ton of their inner life, and cmbodics their
views, feelings and hopes. Takinga rapid
survey Of the public cdilices of Egypt and
India, OF Greece and Rome, he indicated
the peculiar ideas of which they were the
symbols, and then glanced at the lofty nile
OF the Gothic Cathedral, as expressing the re-
ligons sentiments Of those who erected il
Modern architecture, lie remarked. has
ceased to be symbolical and relydespotic,
1t subordinatcs all other clailns to those IF
utility, but it does not neglect the intimate
alliance which should ever subsist betwrcn
utility and beauty. Our State House is
to be both useful and beautiful, adapted TO
the purpose which it is intended to observe,
and yet minstering to the qualification of
a cultivated taste. A State House should
represent, i'll tho grandeur of its proportions.
the dignity and majesty of the common.
wealth. 1t was broad and comprchcusiyc
wisdom, not reckless and ostcntacious
prodigai!ty, (which erected magnificent pub.
nc buildings. Legislation loses somctI,;no
OF the reverence which is due, when it cma,
mates from sbanty or barn.
Such buildings, he remarked, are nmono
the most efficient educators of the peonle
They inspireAa taste, for the beautiful qanI
the elogahfssswhich, diff,sed through all
ranks OF sociee'y. appearstin the cottages of
labor us well rs the mansions of f-wea)th.
at this point, he introduced several iImstra.
tlons, and enlarged particularly on the benc-
ilcial influence of Horticulture, as exhibited
in our own "City of Oaks"
The speaker now took retrospect of the
history OF the commonwealth. and paid
warm and meritable tribute to the men ofI
former times, who, by their wisdom. valor
'nit'stry and probity had secured tic past
placed our State in her present high posi.
ton and brought about that material prosper
lty which cmboldcned their posteriLy to at
tempt this massive and costly structure.
Turning from the glorious rccolIectiohs of
The past to survey the future, different
prospect arrests our eyes. Clouds loom ND
N the distant horizon, muttcring thunders
break upon the ear, and the convulsed and
elements seem to portends an an
storm. The parfficidessand trait.
ors who have provoked the contcS for
Southern institutions would meet in the
end with retributise Justice, but the strup-
se might demand whatever of wisdom. |
'alor and endurance the South could bring
nto the field.
! This! enterprise-the erection of newt
state House-commenced in times Of ma.
ional tranquility, might be oomplsssd amid
he clash of arms. We hayesridE invited
he contest. We stand upon the broad plat,
orm OF the Constitution and the law !; and,
lntt Go,., I ,