The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1881-10-20
TELEGRAPHIC
YORKTOWN.
Imposing Centennial Cere.
monies,

Yorktown, 18.-At the conclusion Of
the prayer the band played the "Star
Spsngled Banner" with artillery accom-
paniments. Governor Halliday, of Vir-
einia then delivered an address of well
come. The governor has fine presence
and earnest manner. He was frequently
applauded, especially by the distinguished
gentlemen who sat around him. His
illusions 10 the unity Of sentiment, pur-
pose and destiny of al! sections of our
common country we're greeted by eLthu-
siastic applause.
United States Senator j. w. Johnston,
of Virgins, chairman of the congress
sional comm ission, then made few
appropriate remarks, in which he
sketched the history of the surrender,
and read from original documents an
account Of the action of Congress at The
time. He exhibited the sword voted to
the messengers who bore the news of the
surrender, and alluded to the iact that
William Henry. grandson of Patrick
Henry and Rev, DIR. Nelson, grandson
of Governor Mason were on the stand.
This celebration was to commemorate
not only the victory Of the colonies, but
the part taken in that victory by France.
The recognition and acknowledgement of
what had been given by France to this
country in the hour OF need WAS the
solemn duty left by the Continental con-
gress to its successors; ard now, after d
lapse of 100 years, Congress of thirty
eight states and 50,0000,000 people. the
Congress Of the nation which stretches
from the Atlantic to the Pacific, is fulfill
ing that duty; 100000 of people and
thirteen colonies accomplished that
great work, and now 80, 000, 600 of peo-
pie and thirty-eight states are celebrating
it. Parties in this celebration sre
representatives of the French nation,
here at the invitation Of this
government Again French soldiers
tread American soil, and French vessels
again ride York River. a model OF the
monument 10 be erected is here before
ua. Thirteen female figures, represent
ing thirteen colonies, seem TO support on
their shoulders q column Inscribed with
the names of thirty-eigbt states, and
crowned with figure of liberty. This
em bodies the idea that from thirteen
colonies grew thirty-eight states, and
sprung the Iruest anG most thorough and
genuine liberty ever enjoyed by any peo-
pie. On the four sides of the base, and
carrying out the original design of the
continental congress, are emblems OF the
alliance between the United States and
his most Christian majesty, and the sue
cinct narrative of the surrender Of Earl
CORVALLIS, and now, as an appropriate
opening of our celebration. the corner
stone of the monument will be laid with
all the grand and solemn ceremonies be-
fitting so great an occasion, by the order
of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons,of
which Washington himself was chief
member.
Workmen under the direction of the
grand master of Virginia then laid the
corner stone. The chair occupied by the
grand master on the occasion was one
which Leo Bostetourt, when the loyal
governor of the old dominion, presented
to the Grand Lodge of Virginia, and in
which George Washington sat when
grand master of Virginia Masons.
The sa,h and apron worn by Grand
Master Peyton s. Coles, Of Virginia,
were worked by Mrs. Lafayette, and
presented to Washington in 1884, at
Mount VerDo on. Afterwsrd in 1872 they
were given to Washington Lodge. Alex
andria, by Major Lawrence Lewis. The
gsvel was made from a portion of the
quarter deck of the United States frigate
Laurence, the flagship of Commodore
Perry at the battle and victory Of Lake
Erie, on Septem Der 10th, 1918, and was
presented TO the Masonic Veterans As
sociation, by a venerable brother, NJ
w, Rev. Marshall B. Smith, on JuHe
I'd, 1880.
Judge B. R. Wexford, of Virginia,
masonic orator, then made an eloquent
address, at the conclusion Of which the
ceremonies ended.
Immediately afterward President Ar
thur and party left for the steamer
Despatch, the steamer bearing the
French commission. Secretary Blaine
others were in the steamer some two hours
and half before they were first discov-
cred from shore, and while the corner
stone was being laid, Secretary Blaine
came to the government DOCK, and sent
word TO the authorities in charge, but it
was too late, as the ceremonies were
completed and the party returned to the
TGLtGpOoSd. The scene on the river
front was an imposing one. Men-of-war,
steamers, tugs, yachts, and sailing YES
sell all decked with flags and streamers;
salut~s to the arriving dignitaries, gay
uniforms of the military, knights Tenn
plar, etc, music Of the bands and drums
anu uitS4 Us TIC tIOOps ldHu6Q. dCQ
marched to their quarters and crowds
of people of all nationalities and con-
ditions, who gathered on the batteries or
wandered over the grounds all com biued
to make the scene of deep interest
There were the usual drills at camp to-
day, and they were witnessed by thous-
ands of spectators. Nearly all the troops
have arrived. The First Delaware Bat
talon, the first and only national guard
organization Delaware has had since the
late war, is here. The Ninth Massachu-
sets Regiment reached Yorktown from
Richmond about 4.30 this morning.
Their behavior in camp was such as to
cause General Hancock to make official
complaint to General Grub, officer of
the day, who has the matter under con-
sideration. Many distinguished persons
in camp were serenaded at nightfaL. The
First Virginia Regiment and Richmond
Light Infantry Blues did not arrive uH-
til late this afternoon, having been de-
tanned e7a route. Three hunored vocal
lists, who were to sing national songs at
the laying of the corner stone, were like
wise detained, so this part OF the pro-
gramme was necessarily omitted. Gen.
Grub, Of New jersey, entertained many
of the principal officers CT the federal |
army at the banquet this evening. The |
pyrotechnic display, tonight, was q |
success. ALI the war ships were bril- |