Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1881-10-21
YORKTOWN.
Grand Gathering to Cele-
brate the Closing Event
of the ReyOlu-
ton.
German and French Guests
in Attendance, But Eng
land Isn't Inter-
ested.
The President. Cabinet, Army
Officers, and Nearly all
State Governors
Present.
The Strong Arm of the Law
Coming Down on the Irish
Land Leaguers.
High Waters in Wisconsin
The Big Balloon-Acci-
dents and Ocean
News.


steamer CatskiIl, with Secretary Blaine
and the French and German guests,
arrived in the Hampton Re. !, this
morning, from Washington. The
French minister and guests were trans
ferred to the steamer Magicienne,
which got under way, and accompanied
by her consort, sailed for Yorktown.
Salutes were fired from the fort in hon
or of the arrival of the visitors. The
Catsl<ill left for Yorktown at o'clock
this morning.
YORKTOWN, Oct. 1S.-President Ar
thur left the Dispatch at 80, and pro-
ceeded to Lafayette hall, where he will
be received by the governor of Nir-
ginia.
YORKTOWN, Oct. 1S.-There was
slight shower this morning, and the
weather is cooler. Eight boats arrived
between midnight, and eight o'clock
this morning bringing many troops and
civilians. Among the former were de-
tachments from Delaware, Michigan,
Virginia aud New Hampshire At ten
O'Clock statutes were fired from Han
cocks camp. The steamer Excelsior,
with the Yorktown congressional com
missioner on board arrived this morning
and received salutes from Gen. Han
cock camp and the war vessels in the
harbor Shortly after the Dispatch
and Fullapasa "a hove in sight, and were
saluted by the camp and gunboats
YORKTOWN, Oct. 1S.-Distinguished
guests, including the descendants of La.
fayette and Steuben, governors of states,
and congressman, began to arrive at
LAFAYETTE hall about II o'clock. Gen.
Hancock arrived at noon and paid his
respects to the governor of Virginia.
The two passed sometime in pleasant
chat and then many persons were pre-
sented to the general, and he shook
each by the hand. At about 1890,
President Arthur, accompanied by Sec
retar1es Hunt, James and Lincoln were
driven to the entrance of Lafayette
hall, and we're received by Master of
Ceremonies Corbin.
The president shook hands with the
distinguished persons present. A line
was then formed and the party march
ed to the grand stand where the cere-
mony of LAYING the corner stone of the
monument was to take place under the
auspices of the Masonic fraternity. The
Masonic procession looked imposing
with the Tiers and with drawn swords.
the stewards bearing the white rods,
the masters, MasOns, deacons, secre
taries and treasurers. six abreast, fol-
lowed by the visiting brethren, and the
grand commanders Of Virginia and
other states. All these were but an
escort to the president of the United
States, cabinet officers and congress
men. The national guests and
attended also by all the troops of
all arms in service in camp. 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 Virginia militia at
Yorktown. He thanked God for 100
years of blessing vouchsafed this
country, for Washington, for our
allies, and for our victory, and
prayed that the people of this land
might not pride themselves too much
on their achievements and prosperity,
but that they might thank and trust
the Lord. He prayed for peace among
all nations and for fraternal concord
among all sections 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 con-
clusion of the prayer the band played the
Star Spangled Banner, with artillery
accompaniment. Gov. Holiday, of
Virginia, then delivered the address of
welcome. The governor has a fine
presence, clear voice and earnest man
ner, and gas frequently applauded. His
| allusion to the unity of sentiment, pur-
pose and desting of all sections of our
common country, were greeted with
applause. Sen. J. W. johnson, of Vir-
ginia, chairman CT the congress
sional commission, then made
q few appropriate remarks, in which
he read the history of the surrender;
read from the original documents the
account of the action of congress at the
| time: exhibited the sword voted to the
messenger who bore the news of the
surrender, and alluded to the facts that
W. w. Henry, grandson of Patrick
Henry, and Rev. DR.. Nelson, grandson
/ of Gov. Nelson, were on the stand In
conclusion, said column is to be erected
to commemorate not only the victory
of the colonies, but partaken in that
victory by France, a recognition and
acknowledgement of the aid given by
France to this country In the hour of
It's need, was solemn duty left by the
continental congress to Its successors;
and now, after lapse Of 100 years, the
congress Of 80 states and fifty millions
of people, the congress of the nation
which stretches from the Atlantic TO
the Pacific, is fulfilling that duty. Three
millions of people and Is colonies ac-
compIished his great work, and now
fifty millions of people and 3S states are
celebrating IL Participating In this
y