Smyrna times., 1881-10-19

The CELEBRATION AT YORKTOWN
The ceremonies inaugurating the celebra-
ton OF the hundreth anniversary Of one of
the principal events of American history
take place at Yorktown, where reprCsen-
tatives of States, members of the congress
SlOnal commission. the President and his
cabinet, and official representatives of
France, with the descendants of French
men and Germans who aided us I'm our
time OF need, have assembled to do honor
TO the occasion. The corner stone of n
monument voted by Congress nearly a
hundred years ago is to be laid with an
Impressive Masonic ritual in the presence
OF assembled thousands of citizens and
soldiery. There will be addresses deliver
ed which cannot fail to be of prOfound
interest II the speakers are worthy of their
theme. Thepresent century has witnessed
many important events of a scientific and
industrial character, events which have
revOlutiOnized the forms of modern life
but the event of October 19. 1881. revolu.
tionized its substance in Introducing to
too-much-gOverned mankind under favor
able circumstances q political idea to
which they had long been strangers.
Among the distinguished guests are the
Governors of New York, MARYLAND. Vir-
ginia, Michigan, Delaware. North Carolina
Tennessee, Bhode Island, and Vermont
Vice-President Davis, Hon. Alexander H
Stuart, Of Virginia; Hon. George F. Hoar
Rev. J. II. Newman, r. G.. Winthron
Senator Bayard, General Hancock and
many others.
At 15.40 the President accompanied bv
Secretaries Lincoln and Hunt. and Post,
master-General James, was escorted to
| the stand amid the cheers of the crowd
The ceremonies were then opened with
prayer by the Rev. Robert Wilson. grand
son OF Governor Wilson, who commanded
! the Virginia militia at Yorktown.
| AT the conclusion of PRAYER the hand
played The Star Spangled Banner" with
an artillery accompaniment. Governor
Hoilday, Of Virginia, then proceeded Ia
deliver the address of welcome.
united states Senator J. w. Johnson. ot
virginia, chairman of Congressional Com.
MISSION, then made few approximate
remarks in which he sketched the historI
OF the surrender; read from original docIi
ments an account of the action Of Congress,
at the time; exhibited the sword voted t1
the messenger who bore the news of tn,
surrender, and alluded to the fact that Nv
W.. Henry, grandson of Patrick Henr,
and Rev. DIR. Nelson, q grandson of Gov
ernor Nelson, were on the stand.
The brethren of the mystic tie. unde
the direction of the Grand Master n
Virginia, then proceeded to lay the corne
stone according to the programme.
| There were the usual drillsa at the camn
to-day, and they were witnessed by thous
ands of spectators. Nearly all the troop
have arrived on the grounds.
The protechnic display was a success /,
every particular. All the war ships In th
harbor were brilliantly illuminated. pre
senting beautiful sight On the flagship
Franklin the lights were SO arranged as b
show the outlines of the ship and rirpin
with magnificent effect. The night wa
dark, and the display was, therefore. In
more brilliant
Tomorrow there will be a parade an
review by the President, of the troops an
other organizations present. under th
command Of Major General Winfield Scot
Hancock. On Friday there will be
grand naval review and exercise of th
| fleet under the command of Rear-Admirt
Wyman, II. s. N.