The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-06-25
1.-THE new STATE CAPITOL.
Impressive Services at the Lay
ing Of the Corner Stone.
Addresses by Governor Hoffman
and Hamilton Harris.
The Grand Masonic Demon
stratiOn.
A Procession Three Miles
Long.
THE ASONIC RITUAL

ALBANY, June "a, 1871.
The great questions which for some time past
have agitated the public mind through the newspa-
pers, as to the proper site for new Capitol, and
more recently, what body OF men should have par.
ticuar charge Of the ceremony OF laying the corner
stone thereof, were both happily solved to-day by
one Of the most imposing Masonic demonstrations
ever witnessed in this State.
THE PRESENT CAPITOL BUILDING
was commenced in the year 1906, and on the ed Of
April, 1906, the corner stone was laid by the
Then Mayor OF the city, p s. Van Rensse-
laer, in the presence OF large assem-
bage OF distinguished men of that age.
The structure not quite $4,000, ene-third Of
which was borne by the corporation of the city Of
Albany the remainder by the State authorities.
1t was thought a model OF beauty and emlnently
well fitted Tor State purposes
The work well done, and despite the shocks
and earthquakes of nature and descriptions Of
about It's walls 1t stands to-day, monument to the
architects and builders thereof. Its walls have re-
sounded 10 the eloQuence Of many men VINO after.
wards occupied high positions OF honor and trust
the AFFAIRS OF the nation.
THE NEW CAPITOL,
the corner stone Of which has Just been laid,
promises to be one Of the most elegant structures
on the American Continent. Already over 81, $4,000
nave been expended IN constructing the foundation
for the new building, which, added to the $4,000
expended for grounds makes nearly S. 800, 900, and
the foundation Of the edifce is but just completed.
The total cost win probably reach S2o,000o0
Work on the superstructure has not commenced,
for the that the material of which 1t will be
erected cannot be agreed upon by the Commits
soners; that the sum OF s65ooOo appropriated by
the last Legislature remains to be expended during
the summer and fan months.
THE PEOPLE OF THE QUAINT OLD CITY
are rejoicing to-day, despite the heavy rain storm,
which has been in progress since SIX O'Clock this
morning. for the laying Of the cornerstone OF the
capitol sets at rest forever the question OF the
location OF the Capitol and the other public build
ings Of the Empire State.
Every Train arriving Friday and this morning
brought large delegations from the various Masonic
lodges throughout the state, crowding every hotel
and boarding house to furnish accommodations for
the visitors Ample accommodations had been pro-
vided for all visitors.
THE PROCESSION
was to have moved at ten O'Clock, but the terrific
rain storm prevailing at that time obliged Its post
ponement until one O'Clock, In hopes OF a clearing
up. At that hour, despite the heavy shower the
immense procession, which was over three miles
long, composed OF the Tenth and Twenty
NTH regiments National Guard, squad Of
cavalry, the Jackson and Burgesses corps,
two independent military companies the
Mayor and Common Council OF the city in
carriages, the Governor and STAFF Grand
Master Antnon Of the Grand Lodge OF the State de-
tachments OF artillery, fully 10000 Masons, in full
regalia, and fifteen bands OF music, took up the
line of march, and finally arrived at the site Of the
new Capitol building, where, after the officers and
guests had taken their seats, the exercises were
proceeded with.
Mr.. HAMILTON HARRIS, chairman OF The Board OF
New Capitol Commissioners, delivered the following
INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS.
FELLOW CTTIzENs-On the LIST day Of May 1885,
the people, through their representatives, decided
that new Capitol Building should be erected, ade
quate to the necessities and commensurate with the
growth and greatness or the State
Commissioners were appointed to execute the
Plans were adopted by the Board, with the ap-
nor corresponding with the taste Of the age ana
the rank ana refinement Of the Commonwealth.
This CAPITOL Hill, in this ancient city, was Sc
lected only for its central position in respect to
the business and population Of the State. but also
for Its commanding eminence and Its historic tradi-
lions, AS the site for the new edince.
Here on the eth day OF December, 1857 the work
Of excavation commenced, and proceeded to the
depth Of sixteen feet below the surface
On the 7th day OF July, 1859, the rst stone In the
foundation was laid, upon solid bed Of concrete
masonry three feet In thickness.
To-day the basement story, with foundation walls
of unsurpassed strength an sodity, having height
OF twenty feet above the concrete and covering an
area Of three acres, is completed.
And now we are about to consecrate the enter
prise by laying the corner stone with s0lemnlties
Of Se and
II the people shall coincide IN opinion with the Board
OF commissioner that true economy consists In
prosecuting 1t on the largest and most energetic
s soDdsr ~ old Capitol which Was erected
wants o populauon Of seven hundred thousand, Will
give place TO this new one, which shall De worthy
people, and which Will stand for ages the symbol OF
the resources, the power and the grandeur Of the
Empire state OF the Union.
Rev. DR.. EBRNEzER HALEY then invoked the Di-
vine blessing In the following
Eternal ana Almighty God, IN Thy hands are the
destinies OF all things Invisible TO Thy presence
extends e al Thy a nss p all
plish and nothing TOO minute to escape Thy notice.
The rise and fall Of kingdoms, the CONFLICTING inter-
events shall succeed each other, are under Thy d.
vine government, and we behold Thee arranging
and executing them with power that the mightiest
are unable to control.
Assembled ON TINS pubic, interesting occasion,
which naturally calls up country W our thoughts,
we 10 most devoutly thank Thee for all Thy good.
ness In its behalf Is not it, past history record
lous tokens OF Thy divine agency In the infancy of
our republic, when It's liberties were imperied.
dlusL InOu not raise UP u D8uu Oh meu VI singular
sagacity and discernment, who steered our country
through ali its difficulties ana carried IL to aggran
dzement and renown, and dldst Thou not crown with
success the heroic eforfs Of those VINO vIndicated
tue liberties OF their country with their
arms and bequeathed It as blood
bought legacy 70 their children and chill
dren's children And not only at TINS me-
morable Juncture o. our national history,
but in every subsequent stage, has Yny gooa hand
been around How often mast Thou exceeded
our hopes disappointed our fears, and turned appa.
rent disaster into real and substantial blessing
Hast Thou not presided In our national councils,
educing from the fermeHt OF debate and the rlvaries
of political STRIFE measures the most favorable to our
prosperity Hast Thou not watched over our COM
merce by opening up new sources OF wealth and
promoting, BY the Inventions OF art, the most rapid
Communication between the most remote parts OF
our country And art Thou not sending thousands
10 our shores every year, who ma here home for
the INDECENT, an asylum for the oppressed;
thus cultivating the waste places OF our
land. and causing before the onward march
OF Industry It's forests to be cleared and
Its deserts to TEEN with the blessings anu instu-
tons OF civilized lief And we feel that the pr1v
leges which we enjoy as citizens Of tins republic are
such as should awaken our most fervent gratitude.