Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-10-19
YORKTOWN CENTENNIAL.
CELEBRATING THE CLOSE OF MtRl-
CAN REVOLUTION.
Arrival of Distinguished Personage-At
Liberty HaII-Governor Holidays
Address Of Welcome-Senator p
Johnston's Speech 4
Masonic Rites. \
LAYING A MONUMENT CORNERSTONE!
THE YORKTOWN CELEBRATION,
Arrival of Troops and Civilians.

| THH 4OhhTO"n ~ CEbEb hhItoN'
Arrival of Troops aud Civilians.
YORKTOWN, October l8.-There was
slight shower this morning, and the
weather is cooler. Eight boats arrived
between midnight and o'clock this
morning, bringing many troops and
civilians. Among the former were de-
tachments from Delaware, Mirhis--'
<-nylnIa and Now Hampshire. At 10
o'clock salutes we're fired from General
Hancock's camp. The steamer Excel
sior, with the Yorktown Congressional
Commissioners on board, arrived this
morning, and received salutes from
General Hancock's camp and war YES
sells in the harbor. Shortly after the
Dispatch and Tallapoosa hove in sight,
and were saluted by tie camp and gun
boats.
The distinguished guests, including
the descendants of Lafayette and Won
Steuben, Governors OF States and Con-
gressmen, began to arrive at Lafayette
Hall about eleven o'clock. Hancock
arrived at noon. and paid his respects
to the Governor of Virginia. The two
passed some time in a pleasant chat,
and then many persons were presented
the General, and he warmly shook each
by the hand. At about 1880 President
Arthur, accompanied by Secretaries
Hunt, James and Lincoln, was driven
to the entrace of Lafayette Hall, and
shook hands with the distinguished per.
sons present. A line was then formed
and the party.
| Marched to the Grand Stand,
where the ceremony 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 its Tylers with
drawn swords, Stewards bearing white
rods, Master Masons, deacons, secreta-
ries and treasurers, six abreast, followed
by visiting brethren AMI the Grand
Communicates of Virginia and other
States. All these were but the escort to
the President of the United States, the
Cabinet officers, congressman, national
guests and army and navy officers, who
were attended also by all the troops OF
all arms of the service in the camp.
President Arthur was loudly Cheered by
the crowd during the march to the grand
stand.
When all had taken the places
assigned to them the ceremo.
nies were opened with prayer
by Rev. Robert Nelson, grandson of
GoveInpr 6flfaa ar Yorktown. He |
Eahked God for one hundred years OF
blessing vouchsafed this country; for
Washington; for our allies, and for our
victory, and prayed that the people oil
this land might not pride themselves TOO
much upon their own achleveme ats anu
prosperity, but that they NIGH thank
and trust in the lord. He prayed for
peace among all nations and for trater-
nal 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 the Lord.
At the conclusion of the prayer the
band played "Star Spanged Banner"
with artillery accompaniment.
Gov. Holiday. of Virginia.
then delivered the address Of welcome.
| The Governor has a fine presence,
| clear voice and an earnest manner, and
was frequently applauded, especially by
the distinguished gentlemen who sat
around him. His illusions to the unity
| of sentiments, purpose and destiny OF
all sections OF our common country were
greeted with enthusiastic applause.
US. Senator J. w. Johnson, chair
| man OF the Congressional Commission,
then made a few appropriate remarks,
| in which he sketched the history OF the
surrender, read from the original docu-
ments 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 fact that w. w. Henry, grandson
| of Patrick Henry, and Rev. DR.. Nelson,
grandson OF Governor Nelson, were on
| the stand. In conclusion, he said, the
column now to be erected was to COM
memorate, not only the victory OF the
colonies, but the part taken in that vic
tory by France. Recognition and &C
acknowledgements OF the aid given by
France to this country in the hour OF It's
need was solemnly left by the Continen.
tai Congress to its successors, and now,
after the lapse OF one hundred years,
the Congress of thirty-eight States and
6Ity millions OF people, the Congress ot
nation which stretches from the At
lantic to the Pacific, is fulfilling that
duty, Three millions OF people. and
thirteen colonies accomplished the great
work, and now fifty millions Of people
and
Thirty eight States are Celebrating 1t.
Participating in this celebration are rep
resentatiyes of the French nation, here
at the invitation OF this government.
Again French soldiers tread American
soil, and French vessels ride the waters
of York river. The model of the monu-
ment to be erected is here before US.
The thirteen female figures, represent
ING the thirteen colonies, seem to sup
port upon their shoulders the column
inscribed with the names OF the thirty
eight States, and crowned by the tignre
of liberty. This embodies the idea that
from thirteen colonies grew the thirty
, eight States, and sprung the truest and
most thorough and genuine liberty ever
enioyed by any people. On the TOUR
sides of the base, and carrying out the
, original design OF the Continen-
tal Congress, are embems Of the
, alliance between the United States
, and his Most Christian Majesty, and q
succinct narrative OF the surrender OF
Earl Cornwallis. And now, as an appro-
pirate opening OF our celebration, the
corner stone OF the monument will be
laid with all the grand and solemn cere'
monies befitting so great an occasion y
the order OF Ancient Free and Accepted
Masons, OF which Washington himself
, was the chief member" The work.
men, under the direction OF the Grand
!, Master Of Virginia, then laid the cor
: ner stone according to the ancient ano
honorable rite. -,
The chair occupied by the Grand Mas
d ter on the occasion was one which Lore
B)ttle tourt, when loyal governor oil
= the Old Dominion, presented to th'
. Grand Lodge OF Virginia, and in which
= George Washington sat when 1ranS
q Master of Virginia. 80,