The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1866-09-19
Laying ofthe Corner Stone Of the
Douglas Monument.
IMPOSING AND INTERESTING cEREMosIrS.
SPEECHES, ETC.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, sept. 6.-1he great
event to-day was the laying Of the coruei.
stone Of the monument in memory ii
Stephen A. Douglas. The President and
party this morning were escorted to Fair
View, OR Douglas Place, about three miles
from Chicago. The procession was iirr a
posing. Hincluded the Masonic fraterpi-
ty, together force ofpolice, the Chief
Marshal and aids, who preceded, the Presi-
dent of the United States, and Gen. Dix,
the orator ofthe day.
Then came Mayor Rice, Seward, Cabinet
and other distinguished guests, ~. s
army officers, Grant, Gen. Rawlins, Mcades
staff, .Steadman, Rousseau, Gustav and
othet prominent officers, q. s. navy officers
Admiral Farragat, Admiral Radfofd, Lieut.
McKinsly, the trustees Of the pouglas
Monument Association, members Of tls
Grand Lodge A. +. and a. Moi Illinois,
citizens, Committee Of Arrangements, the
Common Council Of Chicago, the Mayors
and Council ofsistera cities, 23d and 18th
regiments Of Illinois volunteers, HiberDial
Benevolent Society, French BeueFoleit
Society, United Sons of Erin, Uuion
National Society Of Italians, Father
Mathews Temperance Society, Tradera
Union of Chicago, Bohemians Sclayonic
Society Sclasohian Brotherhood, ProsesI
tant Wesleyan Societies, Local Turner's
Society, Singers Society, Sharpshootas
Union, Singing Association, Herrnan Iur
yerein, Butchers Association, and citizans
generally. Arrived on the ground, the !
procession formed in the vicinity off ths
base Of the monument, The grave was
beautifully decorated. The scene Of tho
ceremony was on the shore of Lake Niche
gan, within ten feet Of the water. Stands
completely surrounded the tomb seths
audience were massed in solid ranks the
entire spectacle formed an amphitheatfe, q
which the inclined seats formed the SIDES
the open lake the background. The entry
ofthe Presidents procession was the llrss
Of the impressive points Of the proceeding
A, band of music, preceded the cortegss
The battalion Of Knights Templars sllc-
ceeded. The representatives Of the Mason
lie Fraternity followed. The latter ascent =
ed q stand erected Immediately around s Isns
base fsthe monument, whore they were
prepared to perform the appointed rltes'
AT this point, and just before the appear
ance of the President, a vast crowd pEoA06
4 the ropes placed arouad the rese4Fysea
4 grounds, and rushed to nearly all paris q
/ the field. Order was fully restored ~ "
exertion Of the Templars and the Ellsworth
Zouaves. A light shower also fell Due
| Z
finished soon enough to avoid any marf'Os
scene. The President and party WITH Ipe,'
heads uncovered, entered the gTounu.
4 Seward had the Presidents srm. We've
and Randell walked together. ''rant ~
1 companied Romero. The first 10 W.
course Of proceedings was q briei and W
propriate address by Mayor Rice. sili
! The Masonic Grand Master of lllpolst
J. r. Goran, appeared in front Of l the 'l s'apu
and delivered short, touching and eloqnels
address, in which he paid a glowing trlou'e
to the memory Of the illustrious deceass0'
both as friend and as a Mason lie =
ferred to the fact that the statue VIII 70
placed on monument visible to the y0'eS
Ger Of this inland sea. The Grand map
lain then invoked the Divine blessing