The Washington union., 1858-02-23
THE CELEBRATION AT RICHMOND.
INAUGURATION
or THE
VIRGINIA WASHINGTON MONUMENT.
ACCOUNT OF THE PROCEEDINGS

ACCOUNT OF THE PROCEEDINGS.
GRAFTON OF SENATOR HUNTER.
We have received, by mail aud telegraph, from our
correspondents at Richmond, full details Of the
NAL of yesterday when the Old Dominion proudly ina-
gurated monument to her noblest son.
For several days Richmond had been gradually filing
up with strangers and every train has brought its mld
ton to the throng Prominent among the visitors were
the military organizations, the most of which came
accompanied by fine bands Of music The cadets of the
Virginia Military Institute thc West Point of the South
especially noticed; they about one hundred
and fifty strong and under the efficient command
of Colonel f. ii. Smith. The Baltimore City Guards
came with the Norfolk companies and looked finely
In their winter uniform. Tho Washington Light In
fantry Captain Davis, with the Alexandria Rifemen
were quartercd at Reid's vcrnndah. The Washington
Yagers, Captain schwartzman, which paraied seventy
strong, were received by the Virginia Rifles Captain
Iybrook, their arrival, and escorted 10 Schad HALL
The Baltimore and Washington companies attended
by delegations of honorary members
The hotels crowded to ovcrlowing and unbound
cd hospitality dispensed by the citizens In the City
Hall large bowls of apple oddy kept well supplied
and their contents with crackers and cheese free
the public. Rations provided for the military Wis
itors and there abundant supplies of refreshments
at the armocs and at the engine house. In short all
that was wanting was good cca1er and this was unfortu
natcly denied 1t had been hoped that the storm had
finished Saturday but the hopes of the weather
were frustrated, and the morning gun ushered in Il
snowy clustering day
PREPARATIONS.
The streets were filled at early hour with military
and masonic bodies, mounted marslals, dragons, and
carriages for invited guests Before the procession
formed, splendid flag presented to the Richmond
Commandery of Knights Templars by Mrs Gill; The
Richmond Knights Templars appeared mounted, with
lanccs, and splendid regaia.
TIE PROCESSION.
The procession started punctually, at ten o'clock in
accordance with the programme and arrangements of
Major General Taliafero chief marshal who also COM
manded the military escort Tho infantry artillery and
remen were divided into two brigadcs commanded by
Colones August and Walton and squadron of drngoons
commanded by Colonel Davis The brigades were sub
divided into battalions the first being the Lexington
cadets The second battalion composed of the Rich
mond volunteers and the State Public Guard Captain
Dimmock. The third was the Washington and Peters
burg volunteers, commanded by Major Peter Bacon
After the military the invited guests, in car
riages the Knights Tempars Of Richmond Washington
and Fredericksburg the grand and subordinate lodges
Free Masons delegations of the officers and soldiers OF
the war Of 1872 the fire department and variety of
other organizations. The procession imposing
one and had the only CLEANED from sabcs and bay
and gisencd upon the rich rcala the effect would
have been magnificent The line of march from 2lst
street up Main TO 3D. along I'd to Broad down Broad
10th, and thence to the Capitol Square.
THE cEngMoSIRs
On entering the square, where the monument loomed
up in majestic proportions the equestrian statue shrOd
ed from public gaze the different bodies took their
signed positions Soon, in response to trumpet blast
the signal gun announced the commencement of the ccrc-
monies
Governor WISE on behalf of Virginia, welcomed the
invited guests and the vast assemblage congcgatcd to
witness the Inauguration of the statue of Washington.
That magic name," said he, "Iile none under
heaven can draw the American people in unison together
Before it, fcus and factions stand abashed civil dscorl
Is hushcd and schisms and sections subducd into
lence 1t typics the ORDER liberty law strength and
beauty of the national Union and to-day gather
the national affections and bind thcm American
fasces around bis statue Mr.. Wise closed with
touching compliment to the sculptor, Mr.. Crawford.
The Masonic EXERCISES highly interesting and in
accordance with the rites of that ancient order A. W.
Brother Robert g. Scott delivering impressive address
JOHN r. Thomson, Esq, the gifted editor of the South
en Literary Messenger, read the inatory poem, which is
most able and finished production. Alter spirited in
PRODUCTION reviewing the character Of Washington, he
gave vivid history Of the statue with tribute to the
deceased sculptor and glowing description Of his
terpece before them In conclusion, he adured all pres
cnt to renew their vows of patriotism and expressed
hope that when the statue should have moudcrcd into
ruin and the State which gave birth shall be waste and
desolate
"our honored Commonwealth shall still receive
The pures worship grateful ovo can give
| Her praise according millions shall proclaim,
carths rcmotest shall bless vRGINiAs name
The GRAFTON by Senator Hunter, is published entire IL
conncxion with this account of the celebration Thcr,
were probably fifteen thousand persons present. and tn,
appearance of this vnst audience imposing and pic
turcsquc effect being heightened hy the Aags ban
| ners, and uniforms.
JAMES BARRON HorE, esq, then delivered the con
| Guiding ode which patriotic and highly inishe,
composition At its close, the statue unveiled, ant
salutcd by the military and The cheers Of the asscmbase
the artillery pcaling forth national salute
| The troops then wheeled into column, and paid
marching salute to the statue of the First President
tho first Lieutenant General George Washington. The,
were afterwards reviewed by Lieutenant General Scott
attended by brilliant staff
| MONUMENT
Crawfords monument is considered his master piece
and Of tho greatest triumphs OF American art Th
basement is in the shape of star. with six points, upo
each one of which will stand statue of of thos
virgnans who effectively aided the par oie by thei
cloquencc, their genius, their swords Patrick Henry
with his arms raised and extended il cnergecally advo