The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1860-02-29
Inauguration of Mills Equestri-
nm Statue of Washington.

inst, Ine anniversary OF MS oirtn' we give
also the address of President Buchanan on
that occasion:
Geo. C. Whiting, Esq, Grand Master of
the Grand Lodge of the District of Colum-
bia, then proceeded to conduct the Masonic
ceremonies. In addressing the Right Wor-
shipiuI Senior Grand Warden, he said In
compliance with the request of the commit.
tee of arrangements, and in obedience TO the
order of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge
of Free and Accepted Masons of the Dis
trict of Columbia, it is my will and pleasure
that we now perform our humble part in the
dedication of this statue OF Washington,
which the Congress Of the United States
have caused to be erected. 1t is the duty
and has been the custom of Free Masons to
honor and revereGce the memory of distin-
guished patriots and benefactors Of the hu'
man race but among them the name OF
Washington is peculiarly cherished, for the
worlds admiration Of his character and his
counlryman's gratitude for his great services,
it is our privilege to add the love and affec-
ton of bis brethren Of the mystic tie. There
fore, in order that our ancient rites may be
fully performed, you will enjoin upon the
brethren, and all others, the order and de.
corum BETTING this august presence and oc-
| casion.
The square was then applied to tho foun,
daton stone Of the pedestal, and the Deputy
Grand Master reported that the craftsmen had
done their duty. The level and plumb were
next applied, and similar reports made.
The Grand Master declared the pedestal
which supports the statue, well formed, true
and trusty. Corn-Msy the Supreme Ar.
chtecl OF the Universe strengthen and sup
port all those who shall continue the work
our Washington begun.
Senior Grand Warden. Wine-Msy the
giver of every good and perfect gift bless
and prosper all our patriotic undertakings,
and inspire this generation with wisdom and
virtue, TO trOnsmit to the latest posterity
their priceless heritage.
Grand Master. Ol-May health, plenty
and peace, symbolized by corn, wine and oil,
pleoteousIy abound throughout the length
and breadth of cur land, ind mOy the great
Ruler OF the Universe preserve, in eterna
bonds of love and friendship, the Union o
these sovereign States. The Grand Master
addressing the President of the United
States, SAID '"This gsvel was made ex-
pressIy for the purpose and was used by
Washington, as President of the United
States, and as Grand Master Mason pro tenn.
pore, in laying the corner stone Of the Cap.
ito, on the 18th day of September, 1893 ;
and | now have the honor of requesting, in
the nome of the fraternity, that you, bis sue.
cessor, will now likewise employ it in the
crownng act of dedicating this statue.
The President received the gave', and,
coming forward, was greeted with. general
applause. lie spoke in distinct and ami.
mated tore, aE follows:
Fellow CITIZENs:-I accept the auspi.
cious omen now presented to us in this ca IN
sunset, almost without a cloud. The early
part of the dOy was bOisterous. Many acci.
dents also occurred to delay the progress
and the completion Of these ceremonies, but
these unfortunate occurrences have termina.
ted as, I thank God, always has been the
case in the history of cur country. Ifstorms
and tempests beset US in the morning, the
end of the day is still clear, bright and ami
mating. Such, trust, will ever be the is.
sue OF the gleom and darkness that for a
oPpCui " ChholOpO
The honorable and important duty that
has been assigned to me of dedicating this
statue of Washington, which is noble pro.
duction of native American geDus-this
welcome and grateful task, now proceed
to perform. Standing here on this beautiful
and commanding position, surrounded by the
Senators and Representatives of all the
States of the Confederacy, and by vast as.
semblage of our fellow citizens, civil and
military, in full view Of the noble Potoma C
which Washington loved so we'll, and of the
shores of the ancient Commonwealth which
gave him birth, now solemnly dedicate this
statue to the immortal memory otthe Either
OF his Country.
lperfosm this act of ,pious devotion, not
in the name of the, people Of the North or
the South, the East or the West, not in the
name of those who dwell on the waters o.
the Atlontc or of the far Pacific, but in the
name of the whole American people, united
one and indivisible, now and forever. May
the God of our fathers preserve the Consti
tuition ond the Union for ages yet to come
May they stand like the everlasting hiII'
against which the tempests from every
quarter. of the heavens shall beat in vain.-
In word, may tlEy endure as the nome o
Washington shall be honored and cherished
among the children of men. .
May Washington City, which he founded
continue throughout many generations, to b.
the. seat of government OF great. powerful
prosperous and united conlederacy. Shoul
it ever become ruin, by dissolution OF tn
Union, it will not, like the ruins of Balbe
and Palmyra, be merely monument of lh
vanity OF human greatness, but will teac
the lesson to all the dwellers upon earth tha
our grand political experiment has failec
and that man is incapable of selt.govern
ment. May such a direful disaster to tn
human race, be averted, and'in the laDguag
of Solomon, at the dedication of the JEWS
Temple: "Mny the Lord our God be wit
US, as he was with our fathers. Let him nc
leave us or forsake u.s." May this be tn
prayer Of all present, and may each one re
turn to his home, in heart more ardently pa
trotic, and more determined to do his Who'll
duty to God and his country, than when W
assembled here to-day.
0JThe New York Independent remarl
on the present position of the dry goot
market: "There is q steady and regul
increase in business as the spring approach
es, but without the least excitement. Blu
ers are, rather shy than eager, and pref
moderate bills, with a prospect of comir
into the market again during the season
larger bills. ......... ........
S or Two Republicans members of Il
: Minnesota Legislature, last week, VIII