The Cairo daily bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1870-1872, 1870-05-18
S. I. NORMAL UNIVERSITY.
CORNERSTONE CEREMONIES YES
TERDAY.
4 Large Crowd-Acres OF People!
TaE ADDRESSES, TIE DINNER,
THE music, ETC.

that il is appointed for every man to
swallow peck Of dirt. We got ours yes
terday-the whole peck in n single day.
And SO did everybody who attended the
cornerstone ceremonies ut Carbondale
The special train left Cairo few min.
uies before 8 o'clock, having about lio
Cairo passengers on board among whom
were the Sir knights of the city, and other
members If the Masonic fraternity, and
the Cairo Silver Cornct band Every sta
ton along the route contributed 10 the num-
bcr--Anna, and Jonesboro adding about
100; Golden about 100 and Makanda about
200. so that the train arrived at Carbon
dale with no less than coo persons on
board ..a rftr ..
There were about four acres Of human
beings about tho depot, the largest crowd,
no doubt that ever assem- blcd in Southern
Illinois, outside OF Cairo.
About noon the procession moved to
the site the Normal building where the
corner stone was laid with Masonic cere-
monies, by Grand Master II. G. Reynolds.
The deposits consisted exclusively Of the
names of county and town officers, Of the
names Of officers and members OF literary
societies connected with the Southern ILL
nois college; and of copies of their consti-
tutions and by laws, and of the town char
ter and ordinances.
The building will be an immense struct-
urc, and very imposing in appearance. It
will present front, TO the railroad, Of
about one hundred and twenty or thirty
feet. The style Of architecture, indicated
by the foundation openings, is gothic. The
building will probably cost over quarter
million of dollars.
Prayer, music by the choir and band,
concluded the ceremonies ut the building,
when the procession reformed and marched
to beautiful grove on the outskirts Of tho
town, where dinner was in waiting,
spread upon about 1000 feet Of tables. At
these tables ut least five thousand people
satisfied the cravings of the appetite.
Over one hundred animals were barbecued
for this repast, and were thoroughly cooked
and well seasoned.
About 9 o'clock the crowd gathered
about the speakers stand, and were called
| To order by Lieutenant Governor Dough-
erty. The Governor couldn't resist the OPP
portunity TO air his eloqucnce aud TO show
his familiarity with the details Of that re-
frcshing subjcct-the rebellion. He was
glad TO recognize in the audience large
number Of soldiers. Monarchy, in thu more
popular guise of the Southern Confcde-
racy, had assailed the liberties Of the peo-
pie and the unity Of the States, and these
brave men, the soldiers Of the Republic,
lept into the ranks and with sword and
musket perpctuated the blessings of civil
liberty, and maintained in all its grand
proportions the structure Of the govern
mcnt! What all this, and much more, had
to do with the laying OF the cornerstone
of AN educational building was no, made
clear, and many persons couldn't resist the
notion that il was out of place-cntircly
uncallcd for.
Gov. Palmer, the chosen orator of the
day, was not present, and the Hon. New
ton Bateman, il present, couldn't be pre-
vailed upon to show himself upon the
stand. Fortunately Prof. Edwards, prcsi-
den, of the Normal University, ~as pres
ent, and when called upon for speech, re-
sponded.
Prof. Edwards is an able orator and
elocutionist, and lac had spoken but few
moments before the vast concourse of hear
ers fJrmsl the conclus o tina. the absence
of Gov Palmer was fully atoned for by
the presence Of Prof Edwards. We took
eopious notes Of the gentleman speech,
but shall, for the want of space, be
debarred the pleasure Of conveying TO the
reader even an intelligent idea of its power
and excellence.
The introduction Of Prof Edwards furn-
ished chance for Col. Dougherty to
spread himself and, Of course, he awaited
himself Of it, He dipped into Roman
history and brought old Cincinna,us forth
lanoble old Roman, in Dougherty's esti-
mation) aud told how he resisted the inva-
sion of Rome, and returned 10 the peace
full pursuits of agriculture lie eulogized
the "Father Of his Country Washing
tom spoke in terms of eulogy Of Gov.
Palmer Prof. Edwards and other eminent
friends of popular education. THE
ground upon which Carbondalc stands, he
said sic almost hallowed earth" Dough-
erty, Brush, Corners, Leavenworth and
Others, concluded to build temperance
town in Southern Illinois, and Carbondalc
occupies the site selected by them. The
land was bought in January 1853, and at the
first sale Of lots he, Dougherty, mounted u
log, and proclaimed the purpose of the
proprietors. The deed for any lot sold
should contain stipulation to the effect
that the erection Of adoggery and the sale
Of Intoxicating liquors ON the premises con-
veyed, would divest the owner of the title
and work n forfeiture Of the property to the
corporation for the benefit Of common
schools, This was but asking the people
Of Southern Illinois ito turn over