Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1885-02-27
AN IMPRESSIVE SCENE.
THE CEREMONIES AT TIE CAPITOL
-ORATlONS or WINTHROP AND
DANIEL.

WAsHINGTON, February 81 The hall Of
the House of Representatives this morn
ing presented novel appearance. The
desks of the members hal been removed,
and IN their places were rows upon rows
of chairs. Early in the day the galleries
began to al, and 10y II o'clock there were
few vacant seats to be found. The large
majority Of the spectators were ladies.
The executive and diplomatic galleries
were occupied, which is a very rare occur
renee, and the only vacant seats were in
the gallery exclusively reserved for the
families of senators and representatives,
aud they became filled before the ceremO-
MES began. At precisely seventeen min
ufes past one Speaker Cirlislr's gayel
called the House 70 order, and Saturdays
session was opened with prayer by the
chaplain, and the journal OF yesterday was
read. On motion Of Mr. Dorsheimcr, Of
New York, resolution was adopted for
the appointment of committee of three
members to notify the Senate that the
House was now ready TO receive the SEN
ate and proceed with the ceremonies. which
were appointed to take place in the hail
of the House. The speaker appointed Mr
DOrshemer, Mr.. Tucker and Mr. Cannon
as such committee. At ten minutes PASTE
the National Washington Monument As-o-
cation was announced, and headed by W.
w. Corcoraa, Judge Bancroft aud Presi-
dent Willing, of Columbian University. il
marched in and took the seats assigned to
it IN front and a little to the left Of the
Speakers desk. Shortly afterwards Gen
cral Sheridan and his staff entered amid a
loud clapping of hands. The President
and his Cabinet next appeared, and the
large assemblage rose aud heartily APP
plaudcd rs the chief executive and his adj
yisers passed down the main aisle, and
were assigned TO seats In the space direct
ly ~ front of the Speakers desk. The Su-
preme Court, the judiciary OF the District,
and the diplomatic corps followed, and
Aanked the presidential party, and at $50
the Senate, preceded by its officers, was
escorted to the space reserved for it. Its
presiding officer, Mr Edmunds, proceeded
to the Speakers desk, where the gavel was
courteously handed to him BY Speaker
Carlisle.
SENATOR EDMUNDS' SPEECH.
In calling the assemblage to order, Mr..
Edmunds said: "Gcntlemen, you are here
assembled pursuant to tho concurrent
order of the two houses to celebrate the
memorial occasion of the completion of
the monument 10 the memory of he first
President Of the United states. 10 IS not
only memorial, but an inspiration that
shall live through all the generations of
our pOsterity, as we may hope, and which
We this day inauaurate aud celebrate by
ceremonies which have been ordered by
the two houses" Prayer was then offered
by the Rev. S. AWallis,of Pohck Church,
near Mount Vernon, Va. Prayer being
ended, the Marine Band, stationed in the
members lobby, played 'Hail Columbia"
and then Mr.. Edmunds, expressing his re-
gret that Mr.. Winthrop was necessarily
absent, introduced Representatives John ID.
Long, of Massachusetts, who, having been
loudly applauded, proceeded to read Mr..
Winthtop's address, as follows:
MR.. wINTHROP's GRAFTON.
"ProsideHt Arthur, Senator'S and Representa-
tires Of the United States
"By a joint resolution Of Congress you
have called upon me to address you in the
hall to-day on the completion of yonder
colossal monument to tho Father Of his
Country. Nothing less imperative than
your call could have brought me before
you for such al cnort. Nearly seven and
thirty years have passed away since it was
my privilege to perform a similar service
at the laying of the cornerstone of that
Ia the prime of manhood and
in the pride Of Official station, It was not
dlllicnlt for mo TO speak to assembled
In tho open ar, without notes,
under the scOrching rays Of midsummer
sun. But what WAS easy for me then is
Tor me now. | am here to-day,
As | need not tell you, in far other oondi
tion Tor the service you have assigned me
changed, changed in almost everything
except an inexlinguishablc love tor my
country and It's UniOn and an undying ie-
yerence for the memory of Washing o 8. On
these alone rest for inspiration, assured
that, with your indulgence aud the bless-
ings Of God, which devontly invoke,
they will be sufficient 30 sustain me in
serving as medium for keeping up tho
continuity between the hearts and hands
which laid the foundation OF this gigantic
structure and those young hearts and
hands which have ut last brought forth
the cap stoue with shoutings. IL Is for
this you have summoned me. II Is Tor this
alone have obeyed your CALI
The address alluded to the dramatic |
death of John Quincy Adams, who was
chosen TO deliver the cornerstone grafton,
and the substitution of Mr.. Winthrop. |
no outlined the history OF |
the Washington Monument Association,