Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1881-10-27
THE YORKTOWN CENTENNIAL.


now in progress may be briefly described as
| follows:
At 10 o'clock salutes were fred from Gen.
Hancock's camp. The steamer Excelsior, with
the Yorktown Congressional Commission on
board. arrived, and was received with salutes
from Gen. Hancock's camp and the war vessels
in the harber. Shortly after the Dispatch and
TaIlapoosa hove in sight, and we're saluted by
the camp and gunboats.
President Arthur left the Dispatch at II so
and proceeded 10 Lafayette Hail. where he was
received by the Governor of Virginia
The distinguished guests, including the de-
scendants of Lafayette and Stenben, Govern
ors Of States and Congressman, began to
arrive at lafayette Hall about L O'Clock. Gen.
Hancock arrived at noon and paid his respects
to the Governor of Virginia.
AT about 1890 President Arthur, accom-
panied by Secretaries Hunt, James and Lin
coin, was driven to the entrance Of Lafayette
Hall, and was received by Master of Ceremo-
MES Corbin. The President shook hands with
the distinguished persons present. The 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 fra
ternity.
President Arthur was loudly cheered by the
crowd during the march 10 the grand stand.
When al had taken the places assigned them
the ceremonies were opened with prayer by
Rev. Robert Nelson. grandson of Gov.
Nelson, who commanded the Vir-
ginia militia at Yorktown. He thanked God for
100 years of blessing youchsafed this country,
for Washington, for our allies and for our
victory, and prayed that the people of the
land might not pride themselves too
much upon their own achievements and pros
perity, but that they might thank and trust the
Lord. lie prayed for peace among all nations
and for fraternAl concord among the sections
M orr a cd fnvf ka
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 conclusion of the prayer the band
played the "Star Spangled Banner" with ar
tlery accompaniment
Gov. Holiday, of Virginia, then delivered the
address OF welcome. The Governor has fine
prese4ce, clear voice and earnest manner and
was frequently applauded, especially By the
distinguished gentlemen who sat around HIM.
His illusions to the unity of sentiment purpose
and destiny of all sections of our common
country were gleeted with enthusiastic APP
plause.
United States Senator J. W. Johnston, of
Virginia, Chairman of the Congressional Com
mission, then made few appropriate remarks,
in which he sketched the history of the sur
render, read from original documents an ac-
count of the action of Congress at the time,
exhibited the sword voted 10 the messenger
who bore the news of the surrender, and al
luded to the fact that w. W. Henry, grandson
of Patrick Henry, and the Rev. DR. Nelson
grandson of Gov. Nelson, were ON the stand.
In conclusion, he said that the column, now
to be erected, was to commemorate not only
the victory of the colonies, but the part taken
in that victory by France Recognition and
acknowledgment of aid given by France to this
country in the hour OF Its need was a solemn
duty left by the Continental Congress to its
successors, and now, after the lapse of 100
years, the Congress Of thirty-eght States
and 50,000000 OF people, the Congress of
the nation which stretches from the
Atlantic to the Pacific, is fulfilling
that duty. Three millions of people and
thirteen colonies accomplished the great work,
and now 50,000,000 of people and thirty
eight states are celebrating it. Participating
in this celebration are tho representatives OF
the French nation, here at the invitation OF
this Government. Again French soldiers tread
American SOIL and French vessels again ride
York river. The model of tie monument
10 be erected is here before Us. Thirteen
female figures representing the thirteen col
oniss seem to support on their shoulders O
column inscribed with tue names of thirty
eight States, and crowned with a figure of
Liberty. This embodies the idea that from
the thirteen colonies grew thlrty-eight
States, and sprung the truest and most thor
ough and genuine liberty ever enjoyed by
any people. On four sides of the base, and
carrying out the original design of the Con-
tinental Congress, are enbems of the ALI
ance between the United States and his Most
Christian Majesty. and succinct narrative OF
tho surrender OF Earl CORVALLIS /; and now, as
an appropriate opening OF our celebration, the
cornerstone of the monument will be laid with
all the grand and solemn ceremonies betting
so great an occasion by the order of Ancient,
Free and Accepted Masons, of which Washing
ton himself was chief member.
ut,o ,.-n,1-,.,o,. ,,.,y-. a.. ~
Grand Master of Virginia, then laid the corner
stone according to the ancient and honorable
rite. The chair occupied by the Grand Master
on the occasion was one which Lord Boutetort,
when loyal Governor of the Old Dominion
presented to the Grand Lodge Of Virginia,
and In which George Washington sat when
Grand Master of Virginia Masons The
sash and apron worn by Grand Master
Peyton s. Coles, Of Virginia were worked by
Mrs. Lafayette, and were presented to Wash
ington in 1854 at Ait. Vernon AfterWard, in
1872, they were given to Washington Lodge,
OF Alexandria, Va, by Mai. Lawrence Lewis.
The gave was made from a portion Of the
quarterback OF the United States frigate
Lawrence, the flagship OF Commodore
Perry at the battle and victory Of
Lake Erie, Sept. 10, 1918, and was pre-
sented to the Masonic Veterans Association by
venerable brother of the Rev. Marshall B.
Smith. June 2, 1880.
Judge Il. r. Wexford Of Virginia. Masonic
orator then made an eloquent address, at the
conclusion of which the ceremonies ended.
Immediately afterward President Arthur and
party left for the steamer Dispatch.
The steamer bearing the French Com
| mission, Secretary Blaine, and others
was IN the stream some Two hours and half
before they We're first discovered nom shore,
and while the corner stone was being laid Sec
| Rotary Blaine came TO the Government dock and
u he nth -
was too late, as the ceremonies were complet-
| ed, and the party returned to the Tallapoosa
| The scene on the river front was an inspiring
| one. Men-of-war, steamers, tugs, yachts, sail
ing vessels all decked with flags and stream
| ers; salutes TO arriving dignitaries CAV
| uniforms, military, Knights Tempar, etc /;
| the music of bands and drums and flies as
the troops landed and marched to quarters,
| and the crowds of people of all nationalites
! and conditions who gathered at the batteries
| or wandered over the grounds-all combined
| 10 make a scene OF deep interest. There were
the usual drills at the camps all day and they
| were witnessed by thousands of spectators
The pyroteehnic display at night was a sue
cess All the war-ships were brilliantly illu-
| minated, presenting beautiful sight. On the
Franklin the lights were so arranged as to show
| the outlines OF the ship and the rigging with a
magnificent effect. There were also other de-
signs, one being schooner apparently under
sail. From the yachts in the harbor went forth
| constant stream of rockets, etc
| Troubles increased on Secretary Blaine's
shoulders as the day went by. 1t is reported
| that the French grew jealous of the attention
| paid the Germans, and the Germans refused to
| come on tbs same ship with the French after
leaving Fortress Monroe. The Germans came
on the Catskill while the French came on Their
| owp vessel
YORKTOWN Oct 20.
About II o'clock yesterday forenoon Seere-
tsry Blaine and the French and German dele
cations, in full uniform, arrived at Lafayette
Hall. On entering, the Marine Band, of Wash
ington, played an appropriate air. the military
! officers, Congressman and other persons Of
distinction greeting them as they passed
At the end of the hall the Presiden
met the distinguished guests, and an in
| formal interchange of courtesies took place
In few moments the party started for tht
grand stand, President Arthur and Secretary
| hunt leading. They were received with cheer
as they appeared upon the platform Mex
came Secretary Blaine, escorting the French
Legation. Gen. Sherman, with his staff il
uniform were next in line, Gen Hancock anC
stan following. Gen Hancock was giver
three cheers.
After general handshaking. the proceed
lngs were opened by prayer by Bishop Harris
He invoked divine blessing upon the UniteC
States and the Republic Of France. and, IL
conclusion asked Gods blessing upon all til,
crowned heads of the world
The g Poindexter Centennial HYMN" wa
Richmond and Washington.
President Arthur was then introduced b,
Secretary Blaine, and delivered the followini
address,
Upon this soil, 100 years ago, our fore
fathers brought TO q successful issue tbei
heroic struggle for Independence. Here an,