The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1885-02-25
Dedication Of the Great Monu-
mFnt.


Washington. February 2I.-NIth the
mercury down TO almost to zero, and
with a northerIy breeze the spr.Bkling OF
ticket bearers who began to fill up the
seats Of the grand stand at the base Of
the Washington Monument aid not APP
pear to be bent upon pleasure, bat with
their Upturned collars. muiiled chlns
and quick. nervous movements. they
seemed a. if inspired by a sense OF duty
alone. The rough board shed. bedecked
with bunting. opening upon the snow
covered field, the shaft OF marble, ma
iestic and towering were elements Of
the early scenes.
The first distinguished arrival was an
old gentleman with long white hair,
whose features betrayed a possible rela-
tlonship to the father of his country.
1t was Ebenezer Burgess Ball, of Lou
don county, Va. My grandmother"
he said to a reporter. was George
WashiHgton's niece. My grandfather,
Bah. was OF the family OF Gen. Wash
inaton's mother, Mary Ball"
The military arrived, brass bands were
m~arshalled to their places. troops came
/ to a rest. and Senator sherman, from
the centre stand, at II O'Clock, called
about eight hundred people to order,
aud said something about the people
keeping their hats on.
These remarks were greeted with
lively stamps, for the opportunity was
a good one to restore circulation to
chilled limbs and e1tremities. Senator
sherman then proceeded as follows:
The commission authorized by the two
houses Of Congress directs me to pre-
side and to announce the order Of the
ceremonie. deemed proper ON this occa-
sion. | need not say anything to I'M
press upon you the dignity Of the event
YOU have met to celebrate. The monr
ument speaks for itself. Simple in form,
admirable III proportion, composed OF
enduring marble aud granite, resting
upon foundations broad and deep, it
rises into the skies higher than any work
Of human art. 1t is the most imposing,
costly and appropriate monument ever
erected in honor of Il man. 1t had
It's origin i'll the profound conviction Of
the people. irrespective of party, creed
or race, not only OF this country but OF
all civilized countries, that the name
and fame Of Washington should be per-
petu2ted by the most imposing testl-
mouial Of the nations gratitude to its
hero, statesman and father. The uni
versal sentiment took form in a move
ment of private citizens, associated
under the mann of The Washington
National Monument Association who,
on the 3lst day Of January, 1913, Sc
cured from Congress an act authorizing
them to erect the proposed monument
on this ground, selected as the most APP
propriate site by the President OF the
United States. Its cornerstone was laid
Oh the fourth day of July, 1913, by the
Masonic fraternity, with imposing cere-
monies, i'll the presence OF the Chief Of
ticers of the government and a multitude
Of citizens. 1t was partially erected by
The National Monument Associa-
ton" with means furnished by the vol
untary contributions OF the people OF the
Mnited States.
On the fifth day of July, 1876, mt
hundred years after the declaration Of
American independence, Congress, in the
name Of the people ofthe United States,
formally assumed and directed the COM
pletion Of the monument. Since then
the foundation has been strengthened,
the SIldIJ HAS JUL SjcdNlIf duNdHICu
and now the completed structure stands
before YOU. 1t is a tit memorial OF the
greatest character IN human history. 1t
looks down upon the scenes most loved
by him on earth. the most conspicuous
landscape full of objects deeply inter
esting to the American people. All
ewes turn to it, and all hearts feel the
inspiration OF It's beauty, symmetry n
grandeur. Strong as it Is, 1t VIII not
indure 50 long as the memory Of him
in whose honor it was built; but while
it stand. it will be evidence to many
! generations of the love and reverence
ofthis generation for the name and fame
of George Washiagton-'First in war,
first in peace, and first in the hearts of
his countrymen;' more even than this,
a prototype of purity, manhood and pa
triotism for all lands and for all time.
The Marine band theu played a short
| piece Of music. which was render ed al
most inaudible by the continual stamp
inc Of the sh.vering open-alr audience.
Then President Arthur made a short
talk.
Grand Master Myron N. Parker scat
tered the corn and poured out the WIN
and oil, the emblemS of nOurlshInent,
rctreshment and Joy, and in the course
Of the mystic ceremonies brought into
use certain historic relics with WEIGH
General Washington was intimately
connected. The gavel was prepared for
aud used by General Washington as
Grand Master pro, tenn. ia laying he
corner stone OF the National Capitol on
the 18th olSeptember, 1893. The sacred
volume belonging to Fredericksburg
lodge. No !. OF Virginia, upon which
Washington took his first VOWS OF Ma
sCnry, that belonging to St. Johns
lodge, No. |. of the city Of New \ ork,
upon which Oh the 30th OF April, 1883,
he took the oath OF office as the first
President of the United states; Great
Light" belonging to Alexandra. WASH
ington lodge, No. -, of Alexandria,
Virginia, upon which he as W~orshlpiul
Master received the VOWS OF the lnltl-
ates: apron worn by him which was
worked by Madame Lafayette: golden
Urn containing a lock of his hair, belong
iug to the Grand Lodge OF Massachu-
sets; Lesser Light" N of the three
sperm candles borne IN Washington>s
funeral procession, We're exhibited.
At the conclusion OF these ceremo-
MES, The crowd dashed Oft to the Capitol
grounds where there vas a grand mill
itary "review;" and after awhile an elo-
quent address by Maj. John w. Dan
niel, OF Virginia.
\ SCHOOL TEACHER ELorEs WITH
HIS EMPLoYER's PRETTY SIsTER.--So-
7 cieiv in TituSville. Pa. ia excited over a