The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1881-10-19
A HUNDRED YEARS.
THE GREAT YORKTOWN CENTENNIAL
Arrival OfDltIsyul,Asd Gussts-Th' Opening EI'
srslsss-GOv, Holidays Addrsss-Ths CSrS'
monies Attending the LaIIRs OfthS
COrasr Stone OFths Monument.

YoRxTowS, October lS.-There was &
slight shower this morning and the weather
is cooler, Eight boats arrived between
midnight and eight o'clock this morning
landing many. troops and civilians. Among
the former were detachments from Della
ware, Michigan, Virginia and New IIamP
shire. At ten o'clock salutes were fired
from General Hancock's camp. The steam
cr Excelsior, with the Yorktown Congress-
ional Commission on board, arrived this
morning and received salutes from Gener'
al HancoCk's camp and the war vessels in
the harbor, Shortly after the Dispatch
and Tallapoosa hove in sight and were
a4luted by the camp and gunbOats,
Distinguished guests, including the de-
scendRnts Of Lafayette and Steuben, Gov
ernOrs OF States and Congressman began TO
arrive ut Lafayette Hall about IL o'clock.
General Hancock arrived at noon and paid
his respects to the Governor of Virginin.
The two passed some time in pleasant chat
and then many persons were presented to
the General.
President Arthur accompanied by Secre-
taries Hunt, James and Lincoln were driven
to the entrance OF Lafayette Hall and were
received by Master OF Ceremonies Corbin,
The President shook hands with the dis
tinguished 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
Ia ihn a NJ khn
fraternity. The Masonic procession looked
stewards bearing white rods, Master Ma
sons, deaCOns, secretaries and treasurers,
six abreast, followed by visiting brethren
and the Grand Communicates Of Virginia
and other States-all these were but an
escort to the President Of the United States.
Cabinet officers, Congressman, the national
guests and army and navy officers, who
were attended also by all the troops OF all
the armed service in the camp.
President Arthur was loudly cheered
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
Virginia militiaat Yorktown. He thanked
God for the one hundred years OF blessing
vouChsafGd this country; for Washington;
for our allies and for our victory. He
prayed that the people Of this country
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 m.
tions, and for fraternal concord among the
sections OF Our common country. lie
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 "Star Spangled Banner" with ar.
tlllery accompaniment Gov. Holiday, OF
Virginia, then delivered the address OF
welcome. The Governor has fine pres.
ence 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
greeted with enthusiastic applause.
Ex-senator j. w. johnson, Chairman OF
the Congressional Commission, then made
few appropriate remarks, in which he
sketched the history Of the surrender and
| Icuu run LHG OIlBlllAl uOCuutIts uH uCs
count 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 William Henry.
grandson Of Patrick Henry, and Rev. DR..
Nelson, grandson Of Gov. Nelson, were on
the stand.
In conclusion he said, 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. The
recognition and acknowledgement Of the
aid given by France to this country in the
hour OF It's need was n solemn duty left by
the Continental Congress to its successors,
and now after lapse Of one hundred years
the Congress OF thirty.eight States and
fifty millions OF people, the Congress OF n
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
the fifty millions Of people and the thirty
eight States are celebrating it, Participate
ing in this celebration are representatives
OF the French nation-here ut the invita-
ton Of this Government. Again French
soldiers tread American soil and French
vessels ride the waters Of York River. The
model OF the monument to be erected Is
here before us. Thirteen female figures
representing the thirteenI Colonies seem to
support upon their shoulders column in.
sCribed with the names Of thirty.eight
States and crowned by tho figure OF liberty.
This embodies the idea that from thirteen
colonies grew thirty.eiglt States, and
sprung the trtest and most thorough and
genuine liberty ever enjoyed by any peO-
pie. On the four sides OF the base and car.
rying out the original design OF the Con-
tinehtnl Congress, are the etnblems OF alli.
ance between the United States and his
most Christian Majesty and sticCinCt narra-
tive Of the surrender Of Earl CORVALLIS.
And now "a an appropriate opening Of our
celebration the corner stone Of the mOnti.
ment will be laid with all the grand and
solemn ceremonies befltting SO great an
occasion, by order Of the Ancient, Free
and Accepted Nlasons, Of which Washing
ton himself wasa chief member. Thework
Is now under the direction OF the Grand
Master OF Virginia, who then laid the
corner stone according to the ancient and
honorable rite.
The chair occupied by the Grand Master
Of the occasion was the one which Lord
Bottetourt, when Royal Governor Of the
Old Dominion, presented TO the Grand
Lodge Of Virginia, and in which George
Washington sat when Grand Master Of the
Virginia MasOns. The sash and apron
worn by Grand Master paytOn s. Coles, Of
Virginia, were worked by Nfrs. Lafayette
and presented to Washin gton in 1854, at
Mt Vernon. Afterwards III 1879 they were
given to the Washington Lodge, Of Alex
ander, Va, by Major Lawrence Lewis.
The glvel was made from portion Of the
quarter deck Of the United States ffigate
itwfenc,, :, flagship Of Commodore Perry, at
the battle andviCtory Of Lake Eric, septem.
Der 10Th, 1873, and was presented to the
Masonic Veterans Association by the ven.
probln brother NJ. W. Rev, Mafshall b.