The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1866-09-13
THE DOUGLAS MONUMENT.
Lying OF TIE CORNER STONE.

4Aprounds was the first impressive point
In the proceedings of laying the corner
ketone of the Douglas monument. A
band of music preceded the cortege. A
] battalion of knights Templar and the
Representatives Of the Masonic fra
Eternity followed. The latter assembled
1.-THE stanu 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 the ropes placed
8around the reserved grounds and rushed
Ito nearly all parts Of the field. Order
was fully restored by the eXertions of
the Templarsand the Ellsworth Zouaves.
y slight shower fell for few moments,
Nbut was over soon enough to avoid any
@lmarring of the scene. The President
sand party, with heads uncovered, now
zentered the grounds. The order of their
&progress on foot was particularly notice
fable, Secretary Seward had the Presi-
I'd ant's arm, Secretaries Welles and Ran
kdall walked together, and General Grant
accompanied Mr.. Romero.
At the approach of the procession, the
@audience, as if actuated by one stimuli
8ataneols impulse, gave vent to one long
and hearty hlzza. The demonstration
#betokcns considerable feeling, being at
once an indication OF enthusiasm with
the distinguished guests, and an appre-
%ciation of the solemnity of the occasion.
q The first course Of the proceedings
was the brief but appropriate address Of
zENIayor Rice.
n The Masonic Grand Master Of Illinois,
j. r. Gavin, appeared in front Of the
stand and delivered Il short touching,
and eloquent adlsess, in which he paid
"a glow ny tributtgio the memory OF The
#illustrious deceased, both SIS a friend and
"a a Mason, aud referred to the fact that
20 statue will he placed on the mona-
Nlnenf, visible to tie Netaries OF this
finland sea as Ions as starlight and sun
u aeams love 70 fl3Hee Oh his crested
&htloW.
4 The Grand Chaplain then invoked
y 9ivine blessings upon The ceremonies,
#When the ceremony 0i laying the corner
Kstone took place accord ing to the Masonic
Eritnal.
After blessing with corn. wine, and
4 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
Eassembled on the TACT that there was
present no less person than the Presi-
I dent OF the United States, with dis
] tinguished heads Of the Departments,
! lieved, IL member Of the Masonic fra
/ ternity. This remark was applauded
! by the capping Of hands.
Prayer was then delivered by the Rev.
". a. Nlilburn, 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 plat
! form and delivered the following brief
address:
FelloW-citizens, | have travelled over
eleven hundred miles after having been
invited to attend the ceremonies of lay
ing the cornerstone of the monument to
/ be erected. ] will say my friends, per-
sona!ly and politically; and IN accept
tie ti.A Invitation = be pIeSet'i n ~
/ occasion, it was iof ihe purpose OF leaN-
! ing the testimony Of my high regard
for a man who persisted in the public
service, and one whom | respected and
loved. ICheers. | have no eulogy to
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 ofthe distinguished individual
/ who is now no more. Applause. Some
men may wear the civic wreath which
the nation Weaves for those who serve
ther country in lofty positions, or their
| names may be engraved upon the ini-
perishable records of national glory.
This column is reared to the memory
of the legislator and the representative
| man. A consciousness OF duty per
/ formed was his while living, and his
| reward will be the inscription Of his
name high on the eenotaph erected bS
4 grateful nation 10 commemorate the
| services of those who lived and toiled
| for their people and the Union Of the
/ States. Immense applause.
Fellow-citizens, believe,in my heart
that if we could communicate with the
dead, and cause them to know what was
Transporting on earth; We're ii possible
Ger FSteohen A. Douglas 10 be disturbed
s9 Fits siUnlfet. l8 would II e from
aHs.. stake 81 the habiineilts Of
sllla, AID asaG'aii4i. HE G0ii.lis
FL. and tlga Union; tin5 niass be
reserved! y isi1qat applause.
n lae conclusion 81 the President :
3'e:iaaf4's,, i :a;ls address s:.s delivered
by Secretary seward.