The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1881-10-29

eigat states and sprung the true,t
and most thorough and genuine liberty ever
enjoyed by any people. On four sides ofthe
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, aud succinct
narrative OF the surrender OF Earl Cornwall
lis. 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 Washington
himself was a chief member"
Workmen, under the direction of the
Grand Master Of Virginia, then laid the
cornerstone according to the ancient and
honorable rite. The chair occ upied by the
Grand Master on the occasion was one which
Lord Bottetourt, when the loyal Governor of
the Old Dominion, presented 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 Peyton S. Coles of Virginia,
were worn by Marquise Lafayette, and
presented to Washington in 1884 at Mount
Vernon. Afterward, in 1912, they were
given to Washington Lodge, Of Alexandria,
Va, by Major Lawrence Lewis. The gavel
was made from portion Of the quarter
deck OF the United States frigate Lawrence,
the flagship of Commodore Perry at the
battle and victory of Lake Erie, September
10, 1913, and was presented to the Masonic
Veterans Association by the venerable
brother, Rev. Marshall B. Smith, June 2,
1880.
Judge B. II, Wexford, Of Virginia, the
Masonic orator, then made an eloquent adj
dress, at the conclusion of which the cere-
monies ended.
Immediately afterward President Arthur
and, party left for the steamer Despatch.
The steamer bearing the French Commits
sion, Secretary Blaine and others was In the
stream some two hours and half before
they were first discovered from the shore,
and while the cornerstone was being laid.
Secretary Blaine came to the Government
dock and sent word to the authorities in
charge, but it was too late, as the ceremo-
MES were completed, and the party returned
to the Talapoosa.
The scene on the river front was an in
spring one. Men of-war, steamers, tugs,
yachts, sailing vessels, all decked with flags
and streamers; salutes to arriving dignita-
ries; gay uniforms of the military, knights
Templars, ETC.; music of the bands and
drums and flies, as the troops landed and
marched to their quarters, and the crowds
of people Of all nationalities and conditions
who gathered on the batteries or wandered
over the grOunds-all combined to make
scene OF deep interest.
The trOwel which was used at the laying
of the cornerstone Of the Yorktown Monu-
ment is present from the Grand Lodge Of
New York to the Grand Lodge Of Virginia.
The blade is Of solid silver, with an ivory
handle tipped with gold. On the upper
side Of the handle and near the end is
double triangle handsomely carved, and be-
low this, near the blade, is the Virginia coat
OF arms in a circle, with the motto "Sic
Semper Tyrannis," in black enamel on the
circle. The blade is of frosted silver, in the
center Of which is set compass in solid
gold, with the points resting on vulcanized
square. Below this, near the point, is a.,
large letter "G' gold inlaid, and above is
the All-seeing Eye, also Of gold, with the rays
engraved on the silver -..........
The box for the corner stone of the Gem
tennial Monument is handsome piece OF
workmanship. 1t is made of copper, highly
FURNISHED outside and plated inside. The
box is two feet six inches long, two feet
wide, and one foot eight inches deep. 1t is
perfectly plain, with a silver plate on one
OF the sides bearing the following inscrip-
ton:
Cornerstone OF monument to COM
memorate the surrender Of Lord CORVALLIS
and the forces under his command TO the
American and French troops at Yorktown,
Va, October 10, 1871. Laid on the invita-
ton Of the Congressional Commission by
the Grand Lodge OF A, f. and A. Masons Of
Virginia, on the occasion Of the celebration
OF the one hundredth anniversary of that
event."