Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1883-11-29

WASHINGTON MONUMENT
Inception and Inauguration of.he Grand
National Memorial Thlrty.Six
Years Ago.
Scenes Of the Day aud Participants -
The Unccnth and Primitive City
OF That Time.
"reminiscences of Prominent Men Of the
Polk Administration Mr.. Win.
throp's Speech.
Special Correspondence OF the Gazette.

Special CORRESPONDENTS the Gazette.
Washington, November 95.-In n
small apartment Ia the old Winder
building, occupied by clerks of the war
office, and In u moth-eaten basket and
among packages of musty old papers,
your correspondent, by the merest
chance. discovered package of papers
interesting especially to Texas. These
Ga accounts are recitative of the his
tory OF the origin and foundation of
the monument reared here in honor
oil George Washington, The incidents
which these records recite occurred
nearly ihirty-siX years ago. 1t was a
fearfully hot day, tradition tells, when
great nultitudes gathered here in the
country's capital 10 celebrate the ma
tal day of tue country's freedom, and,
rs well, TO tender this proper tribute
to Washington's fame and memory.
The capital of that day was wholly nm
like this of our time. There were
bridges across reeking filthy canal
that drained the place. Old framed
structures lifted up dingy fronts and
creaking signboards everywhere along
Pennsylvania avenue. Clouds OF
dust us in Arabian des-
erts, hung over the dwellings
and envelopcd eager througs that
moved in endless professions towards
the site of the monument that was to
Kiss the clouds and attest Il nations
love and gratitude The wise and
honest and patriotic newspapers of the
day-the old Wing National intelli-
gencer, whose like we may never see
again, said that morning;
THE dawn of this anniversary of
Independence is made even more aus
picious than its annual yearly return by
It's connection with the great work of
erecting durable monument in this
city in memory of
GEORGE WAsHiNGToN.
"But for the uprightness and forth
tude. the civil and military courage
the disinterestedness and public virtue
which constituted such leading traits
In the character Of that great man, we
might never have had an independ-
enc. day to commemorate, a constitu-
/ ton to reverence, great people TO
praise and bless his name. In the city
| which bears the honored name of
/ w ~ NttlhS lllplt III
| ting than in any other
that due honors should be paid to the
memory of his exalted character and
unappreciable public services. Most
heartily we rejoice that through the
eXertions of few private individuals,
aided by contributions from citizens of
the severe states, a column Is about 10
rise from the foundation, of which the
first stone is to be laid this day, which
will declare to generations yet unborn
/ living, rs we,devoutly trust, under this
| free and happy republican government
how their fathers venerated the
memory Of him who was the father OF
! his own country and the admiration
| of the world"
I The Fourth of July, lSlS was an
eveutiui day in the annals of the coun-
try's capital. The morning was usher
ed IN by peals ot artillery and the ring
ing of bells. The national flag was
everywhere spread 10 the breeze, and
upon canvass, expanded across Penn
sylvania avenue, appeared IN every
form of expression assertions oi
grateful devotion Of the peo-
pie TO the memory OF
The father of his country. Everywhere
WAS seen the legend;
"First in war, iirst in peace, first in
the hearts of his countiymen."
said the National lnteliigencer of
The 9Th: "Seldon il ever, MS the city
of Washington witnessed such a day
as that OF the anniversary celebrated
on the day before Yesterday" when
forty thousand citizens, represent
ing every state and almost
all parts of the Union, assembled To
assist in laying the corner stone OF II
national monument 10 George Wash
ington. We need not describe the
uiclure. The city was thronged with
citizens and soldiers; government olli-
GERS of every grade fell into line. Ma
sonic and Odd Fellows organizations
were largely represented and ms Wen
numb,r.2ss other societies. The cere'
monies incident To laying ia e
corner stone were performed by the
Masonic fraternity, through their
most worthy grand muster, Il. -.
French, who made an excellent adj
dress. The military escort was COM
nauded by brave Gen. Quiunan, the
no less gallant Col. Chas. May being
AT the head of the cavalry. Both had
come out of the Mexican war with
marked distinction, Conspicuous IN the
nrocession were carriages containing
President James *. Polk, james
buchanan, secretarysof state; Robert
]. Walker, secretary of the treasury;
William /. Marcy, secretary OF war;
John y. Mason, secretary Of the navy
Cave Johnson, portlnasief-gehera,,
Isaac Toucey, attorneN-genefal'
the venerable George Washing.
ion parke urtis, The adopted son OF
George Washington; w w. Seaton,
MAYOR. accompanied by the orator OF
the day, Hon, Robert G, Winthrop
then speaker of the house of represen'
tatives, who is still living, and the
Washington monument associh,ioli,
MANY letters We're received rom
dis,inal;shed persons from all parts of
The country, who expressed deep re-
gret because uGable 10 attend. II was
Intended that the Grafton should he de-