Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-02-21
THE BEGINNING AND THE END.
Two Notable Days i'm the History Of the
Monument.

Monument.
HOW THE CORNERSTONE WAS LAID-AN IMPoS-
ING DISPLAY IN 1S4S-THE SETTING OF THE
1Af-foP STONE LAST DECEMBER.
When the Monument society had raised funds
ehough 10 warrant them in beginning work on
the monument they concluded that 1t was APP
proprIate TO have the cornerstone of the monu-
hent laid on Independence Day, the anniver-
sary OF the day when the cornerstone of the
republic was laid. Consequently, on the 4th of
July, 1S4S, the first stone of the monument was
iaio Win imposing ceremonies and a great dis
play. "Since the Inauguration and the funeral
VI haIrlson, said a local chronicler of that day,
our streets and public avenues have never been
80 'Ionged with people, and never was the day
slgnailzed in this capital of the nation ii has
oeen on this OCCASION It is estimated that
zo'ooO people attended the ceremonies. Among
Ine guests on the stand were Mrs. Alexander
aafnilton, then ninety-one years old; George
washington Park Gusts, Mrs. Dolly Paine Madi-
noh' Mrs. John Quincy Adams Chief Justice
fancy, Lewis Cass, Mr.. Van Buren,, and Willard
flllmore. Not the least prominent in the as
seinoiy was a live eagle, twenty-five years old,
when tWenty-four years before had appeared
a H ee pageant to celebrate the arrival of Lafay-
winthrop. B. B. French. then the grand master
OF Masons. in laying the cornerstone, used the
masonic gavel of Washington.
The SCENE ON THE MALL.
writer in the National Intelle9encer thus de-
scrlDed the scene preceding the ceremony at the
foundation OF the monument: "The finest por-
tlon OF the show, however, was yet in reserve.
Ii was On the mall, which presented one of the
hosI beautiful subjects for the pencil which the
painter could desire. The surface of the mall is
undulatlng and the whole of it covered with
sleei sod now fresh from the recent rains The
nelsnIS were occupied by groups of carriages of
every description, by booths with refreshments
ana oy the various erections constructed for the
uuLspIay OF fireworks. AS the space was ample,
the crowds that had been confined to the streets
mere burst abroad, and spread and scattered
themselves in all directions. From space to
space arms We're Observation-Disclosures all
aiiohs the grassy slopes ladies and gentlemen,
ci.izsns and soldiers, on foot, on horseback,
slhSIy ana IN little squads, strayed about in the
cool breeze and bright sun, seeming to enjoy
Ineir existence. Further down was the seat of
action a Here, In hollow, spread with boards
anu surrounded with seats q crowd began TO
gather to witness the ceremonies of laying the
cornerstone and to listen to the addresses with
Whlch 1t was accompanied. Around two sides
OF this space were high and solidly constructed
ranges OF seats, hired out to spectators, covered
Win awnings, and affording favorable position
erected, covered with coored cotton and suita-
oly einDellsned. But Its most interesting and at
ara ,.io ornament was living American
eagle with its dark plumage, piercing eye and
snowy head and tail, who seemed to look
with anxious eye on the unwonted spectacle
pelow. This we understand is the same eagle
which in Alexandria surrounded the arch of
welcome then erected to Lafayette; and to COM
piete ITS honors and its public character it has
since been entrusted to NJ. Nattemare to be pre-
sented to the national museum in Paris. He is
now forty years old, but is sufficiently Wig
century. This one, at least, will live in our
columns that length of time.l On one side was
a gallery or shaded rostrum for the committee
OF arrangements and the orators of the day: on
the other a smaller one, and more ornamented,
ior the Masonic officer who was to preside in
the ceremony of laying the stone. Here the
nSf Inr,i,, ,,,t,ff In
ater OF seats presented an unbrollen sheet of hui
man countenances. In q conspicuous position
seats were provided for Mrs. Madison and Mrs.
hamilton, to whom the orator, in his address,
most touchingly and eloquentIy alluded. While
over the whole the banner of the Union, spread
and displayed by the willing breeze, seemed
proudly TO extend its ornament and protection"
THE PROCESSION.
The procession, which was considered the fin
est ever seen in this city, and was over a mile
In length, was marshaled by Joseph II. Brad
ley, whose special aids were Major 2. G. Howe,
Major S. S. Lewis, Capt; ]. E. Stewart, of Balti-
the command of Major Gen. John A. Quitman,
with Lieutenants r. p. Hammond and q. w.
u. Tree as adjutant commanding the calvary,
and Gep. Cadwallader, with Lieutenants Keger,
of the Voltegeurs, and Henry, OF the n. Y. vol
The line was formed in front Of the City Hail.
and on the right Of the line was the Maryland
Light Horse, of Laurel commanded by Col.
dragons Capt. Tuck's company of Marlboro,
commanded by Lieut.: Hillary, Mounted Carbi-
mers OF Baltimore, Capt; Murdoch, and Ring
gold cavalry of Alexandria, commanded by
Lieut. COrse.
The Eagle Artillerists, of Baltimore, COM
manded by Col. George p. Jane, and the Rough
and Ready Artillery, Capt. Robinson, a COM
pany of youths, with two small field pieces
drawn by hand, formed the artillery in the line.
formed of two companies of U. S. marines Col
Walker commanding the battalion and Lieuts.
91esen and Hays the the
Grays, both of Baltimore, Capt Hall, of the
latter, commanding the battalion; Baltimore
Va, Guards, Capt. Jackson; Washington Light
Infantry, Capt. Joseph B. Tate; National Blues,
Capt. 2; F: Bacon; Maryland Cadets, of 'Balti.
Capt Clark; Mt. Vernon Guards, of Alexandria
capt. Lammond's company Lieut.. Price;
Wright: Baltimore sharpshooters, Capt. Lili Lily:
and Columbian Rifemen, of Baltimore, Capt.
McAllister.
The civic divisions were in charge of Major
A. A; A. Nicholson, Major s. R. Hobbie and J. A.
The firemen's division was composed of the
ton Hose company, of Baltimore; Howard fire
company, of Baltimore; the Anacostia, Column
bla, franklin and Perseverance companies, and
delegation from the Northern Liberties COM
p2ny of this city.
The District lodges Of Odd Fellows were next
Mems delegation of Baltimore; delegations from
the various states. Then the temperance divi-
sions, the Washington Benevolent associa-
ton, the German Benevolent association,
the corporate authorities of Washington and
Other cities. Then came carriage containing
tEe venerable Mrs. Hamilton, her daughter,
MIS- Holly, q. w. z. Custis, esq.,, and General
Walter Jones. Carriages containing the COM
mittees Hon. Robert c. Winthrop, orator of the
day; Rev. j. n. McJilton, of Baltimore chap
lain; President Polk, Secretary of State Buch-
anan, Col. J: Knox Walker, private secretary;
Hon. r. j. Walker, Secretary of Treasury, and
Postmaster General; w. L. Marcy, Secretary Of
War and Isaac Toucy, Secretary of Navy.
The Masonic lodges, marshaled by ]. B.
Thomas, closed the procession.
THE CORNERSTONE
The copper plate covering the deposit recess
in the'corner-stone bore the following inscrip-
ton:
18th July, 1776.
Declaration of Independence of the United
States of America.
18th July, 1S4S
This Cornerstone Laid of Monument
By the People of the United States to the
Memory of George Washington.
James X. Polk,
President of the United States and Ex-Oficio
President of the Board of Managers.
William Brent, 1st Vice President.
William w. Seaton, Mayor of Washington, I'd
Vice President
Gen'l A. Henderson, Sd Vice President.
]. B. II. Smith, Treasurer
George WatterstOn, Secretary.
Then followed the names of the board of man.
ayers, the building committee, the committee
Of arrangements and the architect.
A long list of documents in print and manu-.