National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1880-05-08
THE I. o. NJ.
A Trip to Mount Vernon, oration, shadbalse
aud Dance.


and Dance.
The Supreme Lodge /. y. NJ, rcassembled yes
terday morning at Association Hall and concluded
their annual business. In the afternoon the mem
bers of the Supreme Lodge took II trip to Mount
Vernon as the guests Of the Grand Lodge Of the
District. The party, including ladies, numbered
about $50. Tho steamer John W. Thompson was
chartered for the OCCASION and steamed away from
the city a little after O'Clock. AT Mount Vernon
there were no formal exercises but Mr.. E. C.
Crump. OF Anchor Lodge No 9. the Orator of the
occasion, delivered the following to the assembled
guests in front Of Tie mansion
"DRoTHER MECHANICS AND LADIES AND GENTLE
MEN, As the worShipers of Mahomet in the East
journey to pay homage at the shrine of Mecca, the
birth place of their God, so we to-day with pro-
grimage to pay tribute to the Mecca of America,
not the birth place but the silent resting place of
nations JOY, the Father of our Country, and upon
this the annual gathering of representatives of an
organization of which VIC are proud, that have as.
semblcd at the nations capital. what event could
he appropriate %ar Sh%n the mSens 9pG
sleeps the soldier, the statesman, the Chris
tian The who was first in war, first in peace
land rcoices in her defenders her statesmen, heI
poets, but America, Eneland's offspring had
her Washington, n name that eclipscs oil others
upon Historys page
"a name whose characters of light shall ne'r de-
Tis stamped upon the dullest brain and warns the
cOlueSt neartt
Before whose glory even the hero gods whose
mighty sway
Would fain have chained the waves and held al
will the tempest rnge
Would have fallen helpless into dsconcern'
"Ofsuch an one America is proud, and proud o
| her daughter Virginia. who gave him birth. Deal
old State who like the Spartan mother called heI
| sons. and presenting them said. These are my
Jewels and dedicated them To her country's ser
| vice. The Senate knows Of their eloquence ant
power the Judiciary and the Executive know o
tl,nir Dt1ohI N M inIuInant al
| the widest hour knew of her SONS bravest of thI
brave. But bright ~ our hearts as {
part of the heart Of the Nation stands So the
the Sire of his Country. His praises have beer
long sung by the poet and bean the theme Of nearly
| every PEN euOgy upon eulogy has been uttered
| tina and again. here and elsewhere until the mI,IIy
| virtues combining to form his exemplary character
have become familiar TO every lover of nationalit,
| power of expression in the attempt TO cxtol Thu
| praise of such man rs Washington. Ills career o
usefulness ended, and here in this retired spot the,
placed his earthly casket within the sound Of tht
ripple Of the waters of the lovely and picturesqu,
| Potomac, ON which banks he passed days of hop,
and anxiety together with home joys aud domesti,
| pleasure. and which stream has borne him to ant
| fro, through checkered year, OF dubious fortune
| Everything speaks to MS OF the departed
Of the illusIrious dead and tread on hal
| lowed ground no. because of yon sepulchrR
pile, but because of the spirit Of independence anc
peace which cmanntes and taking wings strctche!
from the limits of the North to the Gulf aud from
| ocean to ocean. 1t is hallowed because around 1
| centre one thought, one feeling in common know
ing no North, NJ South, but one people united and
| inSeparabc. Aud this spot thnt tomb, must b,
the uniting link, the tie to bind hearts in kindred
| minds the harrow to root out the dissensiOus tina
| flowers of love and harmony may bloom and wul
their sweet odors throughout the limits Of n peace
| ful country. What need of storied urn or monu
mCut 10 pGrpctuate his memory? iOrhiS name, word
and deeds are living monuments, existing from
age to ace and generation to generation, and hi,
| time, that we may initiate them. Then sleep on
thou noblo ono-lct sweet peace thy relics keep
"Sand on the pile, immortal Fame,
Broad stars ndorn thy DrghestrObe,
Thy thousand voices sound his name
In silver accents round the globe"
Upon leaving Mount Vernon the Thompson con
vcyed the party to Marshall Hall, where n shad
bake was provided for their entertainment, ant
the festivities were wound up with n dance. Tn,
boat returned to the city about IL clock last night