The Portland daily press., 1881-10-19
YORKTOWN.
Laying the Corner Stone of The
Monument.
AN IMPOSING MASONIC PROCESSION.

| N.
began 10 arrive this forenoon. Among them the
| Governors of New York, Maryland Virginia
| Michigan, Delaware, North Carolina, Tennes
| see, Rhode Island and Vermont. Vice Presi
dent Davis, Hon. Alexander H. Stuart of Vir.
ginis, Hon. Geo. F, Hoar, Rev. j. p Newman
Il. O. Winthrop, Senator Bayard and many
others.
A few moments before the President arrived
Gen. Hancock called to nay his respects To the
Governor of Virginia. He was heartily re-
ceVed, and they were engaged IN conversation
for some time AT about II 80 President Ar
thur, Secretaries Hunt James and Lincoln
drove up to the front door of Lafayette Hall
and were received by master of ceremonies,
Corbin. At 1230 the line was formed and the
party marched to the grand stand.
AT IL O'Clock Gov Halliday and staff went
into Lafayette Hall, which was beautifully
deeVed with flags, and informally met and
welcomed the Governors of other states and
distinguished guests present. Gen. Hancock
called and paid his respects The pleasant
greetings and social chat followed occupied
the time until President a rthur and the French
guests arrived. AT $50 the Masonic process
ion under the direction of chief marshal Elk
Senator Robert e. Withers marched into the
hall.
AT 12-45 the President, accompanied by Sec
retaries Lincoln and Hunt, and Postmaster
General James were escorted to the stand
amid cheers of the crowd. The ceremonies
we're then opened with prayer by Rev Robert
Nelson, Grandson of Gov. Nelson, who COM
manded the Virginia militia at Yorktown. AT
AT the conclusion of the prayer the band play
cd the Star Spangled Banner" with an artil-
lery accompaniment, and Gov. Halliday of
Virginia then proceeded to deliver an address
of welcome. Gov. Holiday was frequently
applauded, especially by the distinguished
gentlemen who sat around him. His illusions
to the unity of sentimeet, purpose and destiny
of all sections of our common country were
greeted with enthusiastic applause.
United States Senator johnson of Virginia,
chairman of the Congressional Committee
then made few appropriate remarks. The
Freemasohs under the direction of the Grand
Master of Virginia then proceeded to lay the
corner stone AT the monument. The chair oc-
cupied by the Grand Master on the occasion
was the one which Lord Bsttletouro, 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
the Virginia masons The sash and apron
worn by Grand Master Peyton S. Coles OF Vir-
ginia were worked by Mrs. Lafayette, and pre-
scented to Washington in 1884 at Mount Yer
non Afterward in 1872, they were given to
Washington Lod 20 of Alexandra, Va, by Maj
Lawrence Lewis. The gavel was made from q
portion of the quarter deck of the United
States frgaie Lawrence, flagship of Commo-
Perry at the battle aud victory of Lake Erie,
Sept. 10, 1878, and was presented to the Ma
sonic Veteran Association by the venerable
brother, Most Worthy Rev. Marshal B. Smith
June 2, 1880. The mounting and Inscription
was presented by the venerable brother r. w.
Zacharah Dederick. This gavel was used by
NJ w Brother Smith as Grand Master of Ma
sous of New Jersey in 1876 and 1873, and in
LAYING the corner stone of the monment on the
battle field of Monmouth June 80, 1873. 1t
was also used by M. w. jesse b Anthony,
Grand Master of Masons of New York, 60 la
the corner stone of the Egyptian oDelisk in
Central Park, New York city, Oct. 9, 1880.
Judge b. r. W+lIford, of Virginia, the Ma
sonic orator. then made an eloquent address,
at the conclusion of which the ceremonies
ended.
Immediately afterwards President Arthur
and party left for the Depatch. The steamer
bearing the French commission, Secretary
Blaine and others was in the stream some two
hours aud half before they were hrst dlScov-
cred on shore, and while tue corner stone was
being laid Secretary Blaine came to the Gov
eminent dock aud sent word to the authorities
in charge, but it Was too late as the ceremon-
les were completed, and the party returned to
the Tallepoosa
Then were the usual drills at camp to-day.
The behavior of the Ninth Massachusetts, on
entering the camp was such as to cause Gen.
Hancock to make official complaint to .Gen.
Grub, officer of the day, who has the matter
under consideration The First Virginia regi
ment and Richmond Light Infantry Blues did
not arrive until late this afternoon, having
been detained en- route three hours. The 300
vocallStS VINO were 10 sing inc nablonai songs
set down in the programme for the day were
also ON the train and were likewise detained /,
so that this part of the programme was
omitted.
Gen. Grub. of New Jeasey, entertaine
many of the principal officers of the Federal
army at banquet this evening.
The pyrotecnnic display tonight was sue
cess in every particular. All the war ships in
the harbor were brilliantly illuminated and
presented beautiful sight. On the flagship
Franklin the lights were SO arranged as to
snow the outlines of the ship and rigging with
magnificent effect There were also other de-
signs, one being schooner apparently under
sail In addition to this there yacht an
chored in the harbor, from which there was a
constant stream of rockets and as the night
was dark the display was therefore more bril-
liant.