Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1881-10-21

c6leOratlon are REPRESENTATIVES OF the
French nation here at the invitation of
this government; again French soldiers
tread American soil, and French vessels
again ride in York river. \ model Of
the monument to be erected is here
before us. Thirteen female figures
repres enting thirteen colonies, seem to
suppor. on their shoulders column
inscribed with the names of IS states
and crowned with the figure OF liberty.
This embodies the idea that from Is
colonies grew IS states, and sprung
the truest and most thorough and genu-
Inc liberty ever enjoyed 10y any people
on the four sides of the base, and car
rying out the original design Of the
continental congress, which are en-
blemS of the alliance between the
United States and his most christian
majesty and succinct narrative of the
surrender Of Earl CORVALLIS; and now
as is appropriate for the opening of our
celebration, the corner slate of the
monument should be laid with all
grand and solemn ceremonies, betitting
so great an occasion, by the order Of
Ancient Free Accepted MasonS, of
which Washington himself was the
chief member. The workmen. under
the direction of the grand master Of
Virginia, then laid the corner stone, ac-
cording to the ancient and honorable
rite. The chair occupied by the grand
master on the occasion, was the one
Lord Bottetourt, when loyal governor
of the old dominion, presented to the
grand lodge of Virginia, and III which
George Washington sat when grand
master of the Virginia Masons. The
sash and apron worn by Grand Master
Peyton, of South Carolina and Vir-
ginia, were worked by Mrs. Lafayette
and presented to Washington i'll 1874
at Mt. Vernon. Afterward, in 1872
they were given to the Washington
lodge of Alexandria. Virginia, by Maj.
Lawrence Lewis. The gavel was made
from portion of the quarter deck of
the United States frigate Lawrence, the
flagship of Commodore Perry at the
battle and victory on Lake Eric, Sept.
10th, 1918, and was presented to the
Masonic Veterans association by the
venerable brother Rev. Marshall 3.
Smith June %, 1880 Judge b. r.
Wexford, of Virginia, the Masonic ora
tor, then made an eloquent address, at
the conclusion of which the Ceremo-
nies ended Immediately afterward
President Arthur and party left fer the
steamer Dispatch. The steamer bear
ing the French commission, Secretary
Blaine and others was in the stream
some two hours and half before they
were first discovered from shore, and
while ths cornerstone was being laid
Secretary Blame came to the govern
ment dock and sent word to the au-
thorities in charge, but was too late, as
the ceremonies were completed, and the
party returned to the Tallapoosa The
scene on the river front was IN inspir-
ing one. Men of-war, steamers, tugs,
yachts, and ether vessels, all decked
with flags and streamers of salute to
the arriving dignitaries; gay uniforms
of the military, Knights Templar, etc;
music of bands and drums and flies
rs the troops landed and marched to
their quarters; and the crowds Of
people of all nationalities and CON
ditions who gathered on the batteries or
wandered over the grounds, all COM
bined to make the scene Of deep inter-
est. There were the usual drills at
camp to-day, and they were witnessed
by thousands of spectators. Nearly all
the troops have arrived. The First
Delaware battalion, the first ard only
national guard organization that Della
ware has had since the late war, is
here. The Ninth Massachusetts, regi-
ment reached Yorktown from Rich.
mond, about 1870 this morning. Their
behavior on entering the camp was
sucn as to cause Gen. Hancock to
make official complaint to Gen. Grubb.
officer of the day, who has the matter
under consideration. Many d1stin-
guished persons in the camp were sere-
naded ut nightfall The First Virginia
regiment and the Richmond Light In
fantry Blues did not arrive until
late i'll the afternoon, having been de-
layed en- route. Three hundred vocal
lists, who were singers at the laying Of
the cornerstone, were likewise de-
tanned, SO this part of The programme
was omitted Gen. Grubb. Of New
York, entertained many principal Of
ficers of the federal army at banquet.
In the evening all war ships were bril-
llantly lighted, presenting beautiful
sight. The lights were so arranged as
to show the outlines of the ships and
rigging with magnificent effect. There
were also otner designs, one being a
schooner apparently under sail From
the yachts in the harbor went forth a
constant stream of rockets.