The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-09-08
The Douglas Monument-lAying OF
the e-Specch Of the
prcstdcnt-1mmen Gathering.


CHICAGO, September G.-Thc entry of
the Presidential party to the monument
grounds was the first impressive point in
the proceedings of laying the cornerstone
of the Douglas monument. A band OF
music preceded the cortegc; a battalion
of Knights Tcmplar and the representa-
tives Of the Masonic fraternity following.
The latter assembled the stand and rested
around the base Of the monument, where
they proposed to perform the ancient rites.
At this point, just before the arrival OF
the President, the vast crowd broke tne
ropes placed around the reserved grounds,
and rushed to nearly all parts of the field.
Order was fully restored by the exertions
Of the Templars and the Ellsworth Zouavcs.
A slight shower fell for few moments,
hut was over soon enough to avoid any
marriup of the scenes. The President and
marty. with heads uncovered, now entered
the grounds. The order Of their progress
on foot was particularly noticeable.
Mr.. Seward had the President'sarm, and
Wcllcs and Randall walked together. &C.
neral Grant accompanied Mr.. Romero.
At the approach of the procession, the
audience. as if actuated by one simulta-
neous impulse, gave vent to one long and
hearty huzza. The demonstration bcto-
kens considerable feeling, being ct once an
indication of enthusiasm with the distin-
guished guests, and an appreciation Of the
Golcmnity of the occasion.
The first course Of proceedings was the
brief but appropriate address Of Mayor
Rice.
The Masonic Grand Master Of Illinois,
J. K. Gavin, appeared in front of the stand,
and delivered short, touching, and clo-
quent address, in which he paid glowing
tribute TO the memory Of the illuStrioaS
deceased, both as friend and as Mason,
and referred to the fact that 4 statue will
be placed on the monument, visible to the
votaries of this inland sea as long as star
light and Sunbeams love to dance on his
crested pillows. The Grand Chaplain then
invoked Divine blessing upon the ccrc-
monies, when the ceremony of laying the
cornerstone took place according to the
Masonic ritual.
After blessing with corn, wine, and oil,
the stone was lowered in its place amid
the firing Of guns and impressive dirges
from the various bands Of music.
The Grand Master congratulated those
assembled on the fact that there was pre-
sent no less person than the President OF
the United States, with distinguished heads
of the departments, and who was, rs he
had heard and believed, member of the
Masonic fraternity.
This remark was applauded by the clap
ping of hands.
Prayer was then delivered by the Rev.
W. A. Milburn, Of the Protestant Episco-
pal Church, when the orator Of the day,
Major General Dix, addressed the assem-
blage after which the President appeared
at the front Of the platform and delivered
the following brief address:
Fellow CitiZcnS,-I have travelled over
eleven hundred miles, after having been
invited to attend the ceremonies Of laying
the cornerstone OF the monument to be
erected to, | will say, my friend personally
and politically, and in accepting the invi-
tation to be present on this occasion il
was for the purpose OF bearing the test
mony of my high regard for man who
persisted in the public service, and one
whom respected and loved. Cheers.
| have no culogy to pronounce. That has
been done better than | could do it, and
| ii will he handed down, and placed in the
possession OF all who took any interest i'll
the history and character of the dis
| tinguishcd individual who is now no more
| fApplauSc.l Some men may wear the
civic wreath which the nation weavcS fol
| those who serve their country in lofty
positions, or their names may be engraved
upon the imperishable records Of national
glory. This column is reared inthc memory
ofthc legislator and the representative man
\ consciousness Of duty performed was
his while living, and his reward will be the
inscription of his name high on the ccno
taph erected by grateful nation to com
mcmoratc the services of those who livcC
and toilcd for their people and the uniol
of the States. Immense applause.
Fellow citizens, | believe in my hear
that if we could communicate with th'
dead, and cause them to know what wa
transpiring on earth; were it possible to
Stephen A. Douglas to be disturbed from
his Slumber, he would rise from his grave
shake off the habilimcnts Of the tomb, anC
proclaim the Constitution and the Union
they must bepreScrvcd. [Grcat applause.
At tie conclusion of the Presidents re
marks, long address was delivered by
Secretary Seward.