The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-08-10
A Holiday in Richmond Thirty
Three Years Ago.
TAYLOR, TYLER, And FLOYD ARM.N.lRM.
The Laying orthe Cornerstone OF the Wash.
Sights and Scenes OF the Day
Speeches of Governor Floyd
and President Taylor
Recalling n Few
Pictures OF
the rasf.

!
that the world agreed with him upon the
same subject.
The two DAYS referred to were the 4th
Of July Independence day. and the 22d OF
February (Washington's birthday. Rare
old days were these. and rare indeed the
manner OF celebrating them; and rarer
still the men who did it. The eloquent
speeches, the fine dinners, the sparkling
wines, and the merry iests drove dull care
away and left ample space for pleasure.
THIRTY-THREE YEARS AGO.
Let us see how the odd OF February was
spent in Richmond thirty-thrce years ago.
John B. FLOYD was then Governor Of the
State and General Zachary Taylor Presi-
dent OF the United States. There was not a
sign OF a statue in the Capitol Square. and
all that could be seen OF the present Wash
ington monument was a deep hole in the
ground, dug for the purpose Of laying the
cornerstone. Richmond was all excite
ment, and thousands OF strangers from the
country came TO town that day to see the
sights.
At an carly hour procession formed on
Main street. The President OF the United
States and his suite, with other guests in
yited by the Governor. the different
military companies and civil soclc-
ties. the Governor and his staff, oc-
cupied positions assigned them on the
program,Ae. The line was the longest ever
seen in the city up to that time, and it was
boosted that it took an hour and quar-
ter for il to pass any given point.
A little more than ten years thereafter
how insignificant did this line appear, and
how puny in numbers did II seem when
compared with the brave battalions Of the
Confederacy as they marched through Rich
mond for the battle fields OF Virginia.
Seats had been provided on either side OF
the hole in the Capitol Square, and long be-
fore the procession arrived these were filled
with eager, interested spectators, who came
out to witness the ceremony OF laying the
cornerstone OF the Washington monu-
ment.
THE PATHS OF GLORY
lead Dut to the grave. President Taylor,
ex-President John Tyler, and Governor
FLOYD were the great centres OF famed at
traction on the morning OF the 22d OF Feb
ruary, 1850.
To-day only their memory lives.
The military cleared the space around
the nit prepared for the cornerstone, and
then Governor Floyd appeared, having
| President Taylor on his right arm and eX-
President Tyler on his left. President
| TAYLOR wac very feeble, and II was plain to
| the acute observer that the infirmities OF
old age were overtaking him very fast.
His movements showed this, and it was
remarked by a by-stander, THAT old man
will not live long,"
Sure enough. i'm q few brief months
thereafter brave old Rough and Ready"
fought his last fight, and wis conquered
by the victor Death.
Governor Floyd took his position by the
side Of the cornerstone. while President
Taylor and eX-President Tyler ascended a
tall platform erected in the centre OF the
walk. The members OF the Masonic fra
ternity OF the higher degrees occupied the
steps cut out OF the firm earth on the sides
OF the pit. They made picturesque sight,
attired as they we're in full regalia and rich
insignia.
THE CEREMONIES
were opened with Il solemn prayer by Rev.
DR.. Empie, who was also arrayed in Ma
sonic guise. Then followed the mystic
rites usually performed by the Masons on
similar occasions. The records and other
memorials collected for the purpose were
placed i'm the compartment prepared in the
large nether-stone. presented by the James
River and Kanawha Company. The gram
ite cap-stone was presented by the Rich
mond and Danvile Railroad Company. Ii
was slowly lowered 10y means Of strong
pulley. Governor Floyd assisting to adjust
it.
As soon rs the MasonS finished their cere-
monies Governor Floyd ascenGed the plat
form and listened to an address from the
Masonic orator OF the day, Robert G..
Scott, Esq. Mr.. Scott spoke somewhat less
than half an hour. his remarks referring
chiefly TO General Washington and his con-
ncction with the Masous, and his attach
ment TO the order.
MASONIC AND OTHER MEMORIALS.
While so doing Mr.. Scott produced some
very interesting memorials OF Washing
tons Masonic history. Amongst these
were the record OF Washington's initiation
into Lodge No. 1. OF the town Of Frede-
ricksburg. in 1852, and the apron. sash.
and gloves worn by him on the occasion OF
lovinp the cornerstone OF the Capitol at
Washington. Mr.. Scott also showed a
small silk mantle which he declared was
worn bv General Washington on the occa-
sion OF his infant baptism.
Many times had his good old mother held
little George in her arms while he wore this
same little mantle.
GOVERNOR FLOYD's SPEECH.
Governor Floyd followed Mr.. Scott, and
smoke with voice OF extraordinary power.
J Living witnesses here in Richmond can to-
day recall many OF his remarks, so I'M
nressiye were they. His subject was the
| Il az. Oh N Ofn
The patriotic sentiments with which the
Governors speech abounded awoke the
/ readiest response in the breasts OF the thou
sands who listened TO him ana enthusiastic
ally and feelingly cheered hlm:
And yet at that very time Wendeil Phil
Ins Montgomery Blair, Gerritt Smith. and
such like patriots, were laying plot which
was to result in an attempted dlsinember-
meEt OF the Union and long ana bloody
internecine war.
In concluding his speech, Governor
FLOYD made some very appropriate all'l-
sions to President Taylor and Mr.. Tyler,
both OF whom sat near him. The reference
to General TAYLOR elected deafening cheers
from the vast crowd. c,
The Rev. Mr.. II. Is. Cowles, OF the
Methodist Episcopal Church, concluded
the prearranged services Win an appro-
pirate prayer.
OLD ROUGH AND READY.
The Hon. Robert Mayo next came for
ward and introduced President Taylor.
The old man was plain and unpretend-
ing. and in response to calls and loud
cheers came forward. The crowd grew
respectrnl and quiet at once, as the Chief
Magistrate Of the nation raised his voise in
acknowledgment Of the honor intended
him by the people, whose servant be was.
The old mans voice was week, but In
the few unpretending sentences let fall