Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1866-09-13
THE DOUGLAS MONUMENT.
Interesting masonic ceremonies.
THE PRESIDENT ENTHUSIASTICALLY RECEIVED.
HIS ELOQUENT GRAFTON LOUDLY
CHE'ERED


CHICAGO. September 6.-Thc entry OF III
Presidential party to the monument grouad
wastbe first impressive point in the proceeding
of laying the cornerstone of the Douglas NOM
ment. A band of music preceded the cortese
A battalion of Knights Templar and the rep
resentatives of the Masonic fraternity FOLLOWED
| The latter assembled the stand and rested aroulC
| the base of the monument, where they PROPOSE
TO perform the ancient rites. At this port
inst before the arrival of the President, the vast
crowd broke theropes Observation-Disclosures
grounds and rushed to nearly all parts OF tlC
field Order was fully restored by the exertiol:
of the Templars and the Ellsworth Zouaves.-
A SLIGHT shower fell for a few moments, blt
was over soon enough to avoid any marring o.
tine scene. The Presidentaud party, with heals
uncovered. now entered the grounds. The e.
der of their progress on foot was particularly
noticeable. Secretary Seward had the Pres-
dents arm Secretaries Welles and Randall
walked together, and General Grant accompl-
MED Mr. Romero.
At the approach of the procession, the audi
ence. as if actuated by one simultaneous IN
pulse, gave vent to one long and hearty huzzl.
The demonstration betokens considerable fed
ing. being at once an indication of enthusiasm
with the distinguished guests, and an apprecii-
ton of the solemnity of the occasion.
The first course of the proceedings was tie
brief but appropriate address of Mayor Rice
The Masonic Grand Master of Illinois, I.
+. Gravn, appeared in front of the stand and
delivered short, touching, and eloquent at-
dress. in which he paid glowing tribute to tie
memory of the ilustrous deceased, both as a
friend and as a Mason, and referred to the fat
that statue will be placed on the monument,
visible 10 the votaries of this inland sea as lorg
as starlight and SunbeamS love to dance on his
crested pillows.
The Grand Chaplain then invoked Divine
blessings upon the ceremonies, when the GERS
mony of laying the cornerstone took place &C.
cording to the Masonic ritual.
After blessing with corn, wine, and oil, tne
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 as
sembled on the fact that there was present 10
less a person than the President of the United
States, with distinguished heads of the Depart
meuts, and who was, as he had heard aud be-
leved. a member of the Masonic fraternity
This remark was appauded by the clapping Of
hands
Prayer was then delivered by the Rev. w.
A. Milburn, of the Protestant Episcopal Church,
when the orator of the day, Major General Dix.
addressed the aSsemblage, after which the PreSi-
dent appeared at the front of the platform and
delivered the following brief address:
Fellow-citzens, / have travelled over eleven
hundred miles after having been invited toattend
the ceremonies of laying the cornerstone of the
monument to beerected. Twill say my friends,
personally and politically; and in accepting
the invitation to be present on this occasion, it
was for the purpose of leaving the testimony
of my high regard for man who persisted in
the public service, and one whom l respected
and loved. Cheers have no eulogy tc
pronounce. That has been done better than
could do it. and it will be handed down and
placed in the possession of all who took any
interest in the history and character OF the dis
tinguished individual who is now no more
1Applause Some men may wear the civil
wreath which the nation weaves for those who
serve their country in lofty positions, or thell
names may be engraved upon theimperishabl'
records of national glory.
This column is reared TO the memory of thc
legislator and the representative man. A con-
seriousness of duty performed was his while
living, and his reward will be the inscription o
his name high on the cenotaph erected by ;
grateful nation to commemorate the services o
those who lived and toiled for their people an(
the Union of the States. Immense applause.
Fellow-citizens, believe in my heart, tina
if we could communicate with the dead, anC
cauSe thpm IN know what was TRANSMITTING M
earth were it possible for Stephen A. Doug
las to be disturbed from his slumber, he woul,
rise from his grave, shake off the habiliment
of the tomb, and proclaim: The Constitution
and the Union; they must be preserved y
[Great Applause.
At the conclusion of the President S remarks
long address was delivered by Secretary Sew
ard.