The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1881-10-20
YORKTOWN.
The Corner Stone of the MOnu-
ment Laid.

The Corner Stone of the MOnu-
ment Laid.
YORKTOWN, October distinguish
ed guests, including the descendants of
Lafayette and Steuben, Governors of
States and Congressman, began to ar
rive at Lafayette Hall about IL o'clock,
yesterday. General Hancock arrived at
noon and paid his respects to the Gov
ernOr of Virginia. At about 1890 Presi-
dent Arthur, accompanied by Secreta-
ries Hunt, James and Lincoln, was
driven to the entrance of Lafayette Hall
and received by Master of Ceremonies
COrbin. line was then formed and the
party marched to the grand stand,
the corner stone of the monument
was to take place under the auspices of
the Masonic fraternity. The Masonic
procession looked imposing.
When all had taken the places assign
ed them, the ceremonies were opened
with prayer by Rev. Robert Nelson,
grandson of Governor Nelson, who COM
manded the Virginia militia at York
town. Governor Holiday, of Virginia,
then delivered the address of welcome.
His illusions to the unity of sentiment,
purpose and destiny of all sections of
our common country were greeted with
Senator j. w. johnson, of Virginia,
Chairman of the Congressional Com
mittee, then made few appropriate re-
marks, in which he sketched the history
Of the surrender, read from the original
documents an account of the action of
Congress at the time, exhibited the re-
ward voted to the messenger who bore
the news of the surrender, and alluded
to the fact that w. W. Henry, grandson
of Patrick Henry, and Rev. DIR. Nelson,
grandson of Governor Nelson, were on
the stand. In conclusion he said that
the column now to be erected Is to COM
memOrate net only the victories of the
colonies; but the part taken in that vic
tory by France. Recognition and ac-
acknowledgement of the aid given by
France to this country in the hour Offs
need, was the solemn duty left Dy the
Continental Congress to its successors;
and now, after lapse of 100 years, the
Congress of the thirty-eight States and
50,O00,OO0 people, the Congress of ma
tiOn, which stretches from the Atlantic
to the Pacific, is fulfilling that duty.
A model of the monument to be erect
ed is here before us. Thirteen female
figures, representing the thirteen colo
MES, seem to support upon their shout
ders a column inscribed with the names
of thirty-eight States, and crowned by
the figure Of Liberty This embOdies
the idea that from thirteen colonies
grew thirty-eight States, and sprung
The truest and most thorough and
genuine liberty ever enjoyed by any
people. 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 succinct narrative Of the sur
render of Earl Corvallis; and now
as an appropriate opening of our Gel
ebratiOn, the cornerstone of the mOnu-
ment will be laid, with all the grand
and solemn ceremonies befitting so great
an occasion, by the order Of Ancient,
Free and Accepted MasOns, of which
Washington himself was a chief mem
ber.
WOrkmen, under the direction of the
grand master of Virginia, then laid the
cornerstone according to the ancient
and honorable rite.
Judge B. r. Wexford, Virginia, Ma
sonic orator, then made an eloquent ad-
dress, at the conclusion of which the
ceremonies ended. ii't
In the evening, General Grubb, of
New Jersey entertained many of the
principal officers of the Federal army
at banquet. The pyrOtechnic display
last night was success. All the war
ships were brilliantly illuminated, pre-
senting a beautiful sight. On the
Franklin lights were so arranged as to
show the outlines of the ship and rig
ging with magnificent effect. There
were also other designs, one being a
schooner under sail. From yacht in
the harbOr went forth constant stream
of rockets, etc.