The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1881-10-27
THE YORKTOWN CENTENNIAL.
Anniversary 0f the Surrender 0f
Yorktown.

Anniversary Of the Surrender 0f
Yorktown.
YoRKrowN, Oct. 10.
Yesterdays proceedings in tho celebration
now in progress may bs briefly described -
follows:
At 10 O'Clock salutes were fred from Gen.
Hancock's camp The steamer Excelsior, with
the Yorktown Congressional Commission on
board. arrived, and WAS received with salutes
from Gen. Hancocks camp and the war vessels
in the harbor. Shortly after the Dispatch and
Talapoosa hove in sight, and were saluted BY
the camp and gunboats.
President Arthur left the Dispatch at l:30
and proceeded to Lafayette Hall, where he was
received by the Governor Of Virginia
The distinguished guests, including tho de-
scendants Of Lafayette and Steuben, Govern
Ors Of States and COnRressmen. began to
arrive at Lafayette Hall about II o'clock. Gen.
Hancock arrived 1t noon and paid his respects
to the Governor Of Virginia.
At about 1890 President Arthur, accom-
panied by Secretaries Hunt, James and Lin
coin, was driven to the entrance Of Lafayette
Hall, and was received by Master Of Ccremo-
nies Corbin. The President shook hands with
the distinguished persons present. Tho line
Was then formed, and the party marched to the
grand stand, whore the ceremony Of laying the
corner stone OF the monument was to take
AAs0OAssS
ternity.
President Arthur was loudly cheered BY the
crowd during the march to the grand stand.
When all had taken the places assigned them
the ceremonies were opened with prayer by
Rev. Robert Nelson. grandson OF Gov.
Nelson, who commanded the vir-
glnia militia at Yorktown. He thanked God Tor
for Washington, for our allies and for our
victory, and prayed that the people OF the
land might not pride themselves too
much upon their own achievements and pros
perity, but that they might thank and trust tho
Lord. lie prayed for peace among oil nations
OF our common country. He prayed for the
rulers Of the land, that they might be pure,
and for the people that they might learn to love
and serve the Lord.
At the conclusion Of tho prayer the hand
played the s.Htar Spangled Banner" with ar
tlllery accompaniment
Gov. Holiday, OF Virginia, then delivered the
address Of welcome. The Governor has fine
presence, clear voice aud earnest manner, and
was frequently applauded, especially by the
distinguished gentlemen who sat around h,m.
His illusions to the unity Of sentiment, purpose
and destiny OF all sections Of our common
country were greeted with enthusiastic ap-
plAuse.
United States Senator J. w. Johnston, OF
Virginia, Chairman Of the Congressional Com
mission, then made few appropriate remarks,
in which he sketched the history Of the sur
render, read from original documents an ac-
count of the action Of Congress at tho time,
exhibited the sword voted to the messenger
who bore the news Of the surrender, and al
luded to the fact that w. w. Henry, grandson
Of Patrick Henry, and the Rcv. DR.. Nelson,
grandson Of Gov. Nelson, were on the stand.
In conclusion, he said that the column, now
to be erected, WAS to commemorate not only
the victory Of the colonies, but the part taken
in that victory BY France. Recognition and
acknowledgment OF aid given by France to this
country IN the hour Of Its need WAS . soem /
duty left by the Continental Congress to its
successors, and now, after the lapse Of 100
years. the Congress Of thirty-eight States
and sc ,OOO.OOO OF people, the Congress OF
the nation which stretches from the
Atlantic to the Pacific, il fulfilling
that duty. Three millions Of people and
thirteen COLONIES accomplished the great work,
and now 5O,0OO,O0O Of people and thirty
eight States are celebrating II. Participating
in this celebration are tho representatives Or
the French nation, here at the invitation Of
this Government Again French soldiers tread
American soil, and French vessels again ride
York river. The model Of the monument
70 be erected Is here before III. Thirteen
female figures representing the thirteen col
onies seem 10 support on their shoulders =
column inscribed with the nAmcs Of thirty
eight States, and crowned with Z figure Of
Liberty. This emhodies the idea that from
the thirteen colonies grew thlrty-cight
States, and sprung the trnest and most thor
ough and genuine liberty ever enjoyed by
any people, On four sides Of the base. and
carrying out the original design OF the Con-
tinentai Congress, are cMblems OF the Alli-
ance between the United States and his Most
Christian Majesty, and succinct narrative Of
the surrender OF Earl C-lnwallis and now, -
IN appropriate opening Of our celebration, the
cornerstone Of the monument will be laid with
al the grand and solemn ceremonies betting
20 great an occasion by the order Of Ancient,
Free and Accepted Masons, Of which Washing
ton himself was chief member
The workmen, under the direction Of the
Grand Master Of Virginia, then laid the corner
stone according to the ancient and honorable
rite. Tho chair occupied by the Grand Master
ON the occasion was one which Lord Boutet0rt,
presented to the Grand Lodge Of Virginia,
and in which George Washington sat when
Grand Master OF Virginia Masoas. The
sash aud apron worn by Grand Master
Peyton 3. Coles, Of Virginia, we're worked by
Mrs. Lafayette, and were presented to Wash
ington IN lisa at NJ Vernon. Aiterward, in
1912. they were given to Washington Lodge,
OF Alexandra. Va, by Maj. Lawrence Lewis.
The gavel was made from portion Of the
quarterback OF the United States frigatl
Lawrence, the Aagship OF Commodore
Perry ut the battle aud victory oi
Lake Erie, Sept. 10, 1918, and was pre-
| sented to tho Masonic veterans Association by
3 venerable brother OF the Rev. Marshall b
| Smith. June 2. 1880.
| Judge b r. Wexford, OF Virginia, Masonie
| orator, then made an eloquent address, ct thu
| conclusion OF which the ceremonies ended.
| Immediately afterward President Arthur and
party left for the steamer Dispatch.
The steamer bearing the French Com.
mission, Secretary Raine, and others
before they were first discovered from shore,
| and while the corner stone was being laid Sec
1 retary Blaine came to the Government dock and
sent word to the authorities in charge hut il
was too late, AZ the ceremonies we're coMplet
cd. and the party returned to the Tallapoosa
The sceue on the river front Was an inspiring
one. Men-of-war, steamers, tugs, yachts, sail
/ ing vessels. all decked with tags and stream
ers; santcs to arriving dignitaries, 60,
uniforms, military, Knights Templsr. etc
the music of hands and drums and tifss .,
| the troops landed and marched to quarters
4 aud the crowds Of people Of oil nationalitie,
1 and conditions who gathered At the batteries
| or wandered over tho gronnds-all c0mbine<
to make scene OF deep interest. There wer
the usual drills at the camps all day, aud the.
were witnessed by thousands Of spectators.
/ The pyrotechnic display at night WAS sue
1 GERS. MI the WAT-BmpS were DIIlilAntiv ultt
minated. presenting ! beautiful sight. On til
| Franklin the lights were so arranged ~ to shov
the outlines Of the ship aud the rigging with
| magnificent effect. There were Also other de
signs. one being schooner apparently unde
sail. From the Yachts in the hArbor went fortl
a constant stream Of rockets etc.
Troubles increased on Secretary Blaine,
shoulders AZ the day went by. It i reportes
that the French grew jealous Of the attention
paid the Germans. and the Germans refused h
come on the same ship with the French afte
leaving Fortress Monroe. The Germans cam
Oh the Catskill, while the French came on thei
own vessel.
YORKTOWN, Oct 20.
About II o'clock yesterday forenoon Secrs
tary Blaine and the French aud German dele
cations. in full uniform, arrived It LAfayett
Hall. On entering, the Marine Band, Of wash
irgton, played an appropriate air, the militar
officers, Congressman and other persons q
distinction greeting them ~ they passct
AT tho end Of the hall the PresideI
mot tiae distinguished guests, and IN il
formal interchange Of courtesies took plac,
In a few moments tho party started for ii
grand stand, President Arthur aud Hecrctal
.N.a