American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1881-10-29
YORKTOWN.

The Centennial Celebration at York.
Stone of the Monument Cor ma IN
tive Of tho Surrender of Lord Corn
wallis-lnterestin& Addresses, Etc.
YORKTOWN. Va, October 10.
The boom OF cannon at the camp near the
old Moore House at an early hour an
nounced the dawn of the first Centennial
day. A light rain had fallen during the
early night, and in a measure laid the dust.
As the sun rose, the harbor presented
grand and imposing spectacle. The river
at this point is one of the broadest and most
beautiful on this coast, and magnfficentiy
calculated to display the grand flotilla
which now fioated in peace where the fleet
of DE Grasse lay at anchor one hundred
years ago.
The distinguished guests, including the
descendants Of Lafayette and Steuben, the
Governors Of the States and Congressman,
began to arrive at Lafayette Hall about
eleven o'clock. General Hancock arrived at
noon, and paid bis respects to the Governor
Of Virginia. The two passed some time in
pleasant chat, and then many persons were
presented to the General, and he warmly
shook each by the hand. At about 1880
President Arthur, accompanied by Secre-
to the entrance of Lafayette Hall, and they
were received by Master of Ceremonies Cor
bin. The President shook hands with the
distinguished persons present. A line was
then formed, and the party marched to the
grand stand, where the ceremony Of laying
the cornerstone of the Monument was to
take place, under the auspices Of the Ma
sonic fraternity.
The Masonic procession looked imposing,
with tylers with drawn swords. stewards
bearing white rods, Master Masons, Dea-
cons, Secretaries and Treasurers, six abreast,
followed by visiting brethren and the Grand
Communicates of Virginia and other States.
All these were but the escort to the Presi-
dent of the United States, 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 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
Governor Nelson, who commanded the Vir-
ginia militia at Yorktown. He thanked
God for one hundred 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 upon their
own 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 conclusion of the prayer the band
played "The Star Spangled Banner" with
artillery accompaniment Governor Holli-
day, Of Virginia, then delivered an address
of welcome. The Governor has fair
presence, a clear voice and an earnest man.
ner. and was frequently applauded, espe-
cially 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 greet.
ed with enthusiastic applause.
Uni ed States Senator j. w. Johnston, of
Virginia, Chairman OF the Congressional
Commission, then made few appropriate
remarks, in which he sketched the history
OF the surrender, read from original docli-
ments an account OF the action of Congress
at the time, exhibited the sword voted to the
messenger who bore the news of the surren. !
der, and alluded to the fact that w. w. Henry, |
a grandson of Patrick Henry, and Rev. DR..
Nelson, grandson of Governor Nelson.
were on the stand. In conclusion, he said |
that the column now to be erected was to |
commemorate not only victory of the Colo |
mics, but the part taken in that victory by |
France. Recognition and acknowledgment |
Of the aid given by France to this country |
in the hour OF its need was q solemn duty
left by the Continental Congress to its sue
cessors: and now, after the lapse of one /
hundred years, the Congress of thirty -eight
States and fifty millions of people, the
Congress Of Nation which stretches
from the Atlantic to the Pacific, is fulfill
ing 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 it.
Participating in this celebration are repre-
sentatives of the French Nation. here at the
invitation of this Government. Again
French soldiers tread American soil and
French vessels again ride York River. A
model of the Monument to be erected is
here before us. Thirteen female figures,
representing the thirteen Colonies, seem to
support on their shoulders the column IN
scribed with the names of thirty EIGHT
States and crowned with 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 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
of the surrender of Earl Cornwall
lis. And now, as an appropriate opening. of
our celebration, the cornerstone of the
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 Washington
himself was a chief MEMBER
Workmen, under the direction of the
Grand Master of Virginia, then laid the
according to the ancient and
honorable rite.
Judge B. R. Wexford, of Virginia, the
Masonic orator, then made an eloquent ad-
1ress, at the conclusion of which the cere- I
monies ended.
Immediately afterward President Arthur
md party left for the steamer Despatch.
The steamer bearing the French Commits '
lion, Secretary Blaine and others was in the
tream some two hours and a half before
hey were first discovered from the shore, ]
md while the cornerstone was being laid. {
Blaine came to the Government I
lock and sent word to the authorities in !
harge, but 1t was too late, as the ceremo-
lies were completed, and the party returned I
o the Tallapoosa.
The box for the corner stone of the Gen. 4
ennial Monument is q handsome piece of
1t is made of copper, highly '
furnished outside and plated inside The