Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-10-26
The Yorktown Celebration.

On Tuesday, the 18th instant, there was a grand
marshaling OF our foreign guests and Of the rep
resentative bodies and personages, civic and mil
itary, OF this union In the historic town on York
river In the Old Dominion The broad stream
was filled with the naval representatives Of
France and America and with numerous fleet
OF sailing craft which had conveyed thither large
throngs OF untitled participants in the patriotic
ceremonies OF the occasion The laying Of the
corner stone OF the monument to commemorate
the great surrender OF one hundred years ago was
the central feature OF the exercises Of the day.
Somewhat past midday, President Arthur and his
cabinet led the procession to the grand stand
Rev. Robert Nelson, grandson Of Governor Nell
son, who commanded the Virginia militia dur
ing the siege, opened the ceremonies with
prayer. After the performance Of The Star
spangled Banner, by the band, with an artil-
lery accompaniment Governor Halliday Of vir-
ginia delivered an eloquent address of well
come. He referred in feeling terms to the late
president, saying; I'VE feel that however dire
the calamity that has befallen us, or may In the
future come, faith is not dead and patriotism has
not been wounded. God regns, and the govern.
ment at Washington still lives The friends Of
freedom everywhere catch up the grand refrain and
speed 1t round the world, God reigns, and
government at Washington still lives Long live
the government" He gave the French and German
guests cordial and graceful greeting speak,
ing In terms OF just and high appreciation of the
decisive part they had taken In the events which
these august ceremonies were designed to COM
memorate. He alluded to the unity Of sentiment
purpose and destiny which now anmates all sec
tons Of our common country, and expressed the
determination Of this people Ito guard with pi-
Gus hands and hearts the work accomplished on
that spot one hundred years ago. and to transmit
It to the countless generations who will follow u.s.
to show how, in Gods ways, brave and noble
deed evolves its own triumphs' The governors
address, delivered In clear voice and eloquent
manner, frequently ELECTED the applause of the
great concourse.
The brethren Of the mystic tie, under the drec-
ton Of the grand master OF Virginia. laid the
cornerstone. The chair occupied by the grand
master on the occasion was the one which Lord
Botetourt, when royal governor Of the Old Domin-
Ion, presented to the grand lodge of Virginia.
and in which George Washington sat when grand
master Of the Virginia Masons The sash and
apron worn by Grand Master Peyton S. Coles of
Virginia were worked by the wife OF Lafayette
and presented to Washington in 1884 at Mount
Vernon Afterward, in 1912, they were given to
the Washington lodge Of Alexandria, Virginia, by
Major Lawrence Lewis. The gave was made
from portion Of the quarter deck of the United
States frigate Lawrence, flagship OF Commodore
Perry at the battle and victory of Lake Erie Sep
TENDER 10, 1918, and was presented to the Ma
sonic Veteran Association by Rev. Marshall B.
Smith. This gavel was used in 1876, and in lay
Inc ~ a..