Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1869-01-01
ICOMMUNICATED.


LAYING THE CORNER SToNE-On the 18th
of September, 1893, sevcnty-six years ago,
GEN. WASHINGTON laid the southeast corner
stone OF the capitol at Washington with Mason
ic ceremonies, and in presence Of an immense
number of spectators. Alexandria bore
prominent part in the civic pageantry, being
then in the county of Fairfax. Lodge No. %,
A. T. & e. NJ, now known as Alexandria
Washington Lodge, then Alexandria Lodge,
were on the ground with all their officers and
regalia also the Alexandria Volunteer Artil-
lery, commanded by COL Dennis Ramsay,
revolutionary officer. If the opinion of that
ancient chronicler, the "Colum bian Mirror
and Alexandria Gazette,"a paper enjoying the
confidence of Washington, be good, these ''Vol-
unteer Artillery" were a noble body of men,
When Ibis Exceency" 4. e., Gen. Washing,
ton and suite, crossed the "Potomack," and
were received on the Maryland side of the riv-
er by 1.-THE officers and brethren of No. % Vir-
GINA aud No. Maryland, whom the Presi-
dent headed with band of music, the volun-
teer Artillery were on hand and rendered the
Chief Their military honors," after which
the whole party, the rear being brought UP
by the artillery, proceeded towards the Presi
dent square with grand soemnity of march.
Arrived there the line of procession was formed
for the scene of intended action. Prominent
in it we find the volunteer artillery and Lodge
No. %, o! Virginia disposed in their own
order" The Lodge was followed by Grand
Master P T. GEORGE WASHINGTON, W. NJ,
the stone was to be laid, ''the procession
marched two abreast in the greatest solemn
dignity, with music playing, drums beating,
colors flying, and spectators rejoicing" Ar
rived there, "the President Of the United
States, the Grand Master P. IT,, and the
Worshipful NJ, of No, %, taking their stand
to the east Of huge stone, and all the Graft
forming circle westward, stood a short time
in silent awful order" The silence was broken
when 1.-THE artillery discharged volley." AT
ter the due observance Of some Masonic cere-
monies, Washington laid the corner stone, ION
which was deposited corn, wine and oil. -
This ceremony ended, ''the whole congrega
ton Joined in aUfM prayer, which was sue
ceeded by Masonic chanting hands and voey
from the Artillery" With the corner stone
was deposited a silver plate BEARING the follow
ing Inscription: 'lhis South East corner
stone of the Capitol of the United States of
America, in the city of Washington, was laid
on the 18th day OF September, 1893, in the
thirteenth of American Independence, in the
first year Of the second term Of the Presidency
Of GE0GRGE WASHINGTON, whose virtues in
the civil administration OF his country have
been as conspicuous and beneficial as his mill
establishing her liberties, and in the year of
Masonry 5793, by the Grand Lodge of Mary
land, several Lodges under its jurisdiction, and
Lodge No. %, from Alexandria, Va" An
Grafton followed the laying of the corner stone,
the same being delivered by the Grand Mas
ter Z. T., elevated on triple rostrum."
The Grafton was not long, being divided into
fifteen paragraphs, each of which was honored
On It's conclusion by q "volley from the artille |
ry!' The speaking over, ''the whole COM
pany retired to an extensive booth, where an
OK of 500 lbs weight was barbacued, of which
the company generally partook, with every
abundance Of other recreation. Before dark
the whole company departed with joyful hopes
of the production of their labor" Since
Washington was first projected by the Father
OF His Country, there have been events OF the
above sort celebrated there, the second occur
ring on the 4th Of July, 1851, when the cor
ner stone Of the Capitol extension was laid,
and most eloquent address delivered by the
Hon. Daniel Webster. Little perhaps did the
gifted Webster think at that time, when he
gave to the world his imprisoned utterances,
that, in ten short years thereafter, his country
would have been convulsed to its centre and
its liberties, 10 part sacrificed to the Molcch |
of civil war
The libel suit of Mrs. Wilkinson against the
Chicago Tribune was concluded yesterday. She
claimed $4,000 damages and was awarded |
800 Application has been made for new
trial
The Soldiers Home in Chicago has been
closed by order OF the U. S. officers. The in
mates will be transferred to the National Asy- |
lam at Milwaukee,