The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1860-03-07
Iron the National p-emocr It.

[From the National P-emocr 1T
Inauguration of the Ed Iues trian Stat
ne of Washington Mas ,onic Exer.
cises-Speech of Pre- side, ant Buchan-
an, &c.
The full proceedings, ST p~eeclles, etc., which
formed a part of the imp' 1sing ceremonies at
! tendant on the Inaugural ion of the Equestrian
Statue of WASHINGTON on the ed of Feb
ruary, at the Capital of the Republic, is now
before us. 1t must ia We been a splendid af-
fair, worthy. the occasic n al ID the fame of him
whose name the Amer. can people SO delight to
honor.
The Inauguration was attended by the Pres
Lident, Vice Preside Mt an d the Heads of De-
partments, by the Jud ges of the Supreme
Court and the two Houses of Congress, the
Military of the Dis trict and the famed Seventh
Regiment of New York Volunteers. After a
solemn and an ap propriate prayer by the Rev.
Mr.. NADAL, Of the Episcopal Church, Mr..
BocooK, the Orator of the day, delivered an
Grafton, at one e beautiful, chaste and appropri-
ate.
GEORGE C. WHITING, ESQ, Grand Master
of the Grand Lodge of the District of Column
bia, then proceeded to conduct the Masonic
ceremonies. In addressing the Right Worship
full Senior Grand Warden, he said:
In compliance with the request of the Com.
mittee of Arrangements, and in obedience to
GhO 14OOO w oIddo LO0SC VI Tx L z
and Accepted Masons of the District of Co
lumbia, 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.
It is the duty and has been the custom of
Free Masons to honor and reverence the mem
ory of distinguished patriots and benefactors
of the human race, but among them the name
of Washington is peculiarly cherished, for to
the worlds admiration of his character and his
countrymen's gratitude for his great services,
it is our privilege to add the love and affec-
ton of his brethren of the Mystic Tie; there
fore, in order that our ancient rites may be duly
performed, you will enjoin upon the brethren
and all others the order and decorum BETTING
this august presence and occasion.
The square was then applied to the founda-
ton stone of the pedestal, and the Deputy
Grand Master reported: "The craftsmen have
done their duty" The level and plumb were
next applied, and a similar report was made
The Grand Master declared the pedestal that
supports the statue: "Well formed true and
trusty;" and continued: "May the Supreme
Architect of the Universe strengthen and sup
port all those who. shall continue the work
which our WASHINGTON began"
Senior Grand Warden-"Wine:" May the
Giyer of every good and perfect gift bless and
prosper all our patriotic undertakings, and in
spire this generation with wisdom and virtue
to transmit to the latest posterity their price:
less heritage. Grand Master-"Ol:" May
health, plenty and peace, symbolized by Corr,
Wine and Oil plenteously abound throughout
the length and breadth of our land, and may
the Great ruler of the Universe preserve, in
eternal bonds oflove and friendship, the Union
of these sovereign States.
The Grand Master, addressing the President
of the United States, said:
This gavel was made expressly for the pur-
pose, and was used by Washington as Presi-
dent of the United States, and as Grand Mas
ter of Free Masons, pro tenapore, in laying the
corner stone of the Capitol on the 18th day of
September, 1893, and I now have the honor of
requesting, in. the name of the Fraternity,
that you, his successor, will now likewise en-
ploy it in the browning, act Of the dedication
of this statue.