The Osceola times., 1885-02-28
THE NATIONS PRIDE.
An Imposing Ceremonial at the
National Capital.

An Imposing CeroinoioA
National Capital
The rallest Shaft Ever Reared by mor'S'
Hand. Dedicated to the Memory
of George Washington, Father
Of His Country.
WARRINGTON, d. c., February 22.-
Yesterday was day for PATRIOTISM anu
pneumonia. 1t was bright and clear, put
biting cold. The day was, however.
given up completely to the dedication Oh
Washington Monument, and in spite Oh
the chilling air the streets and puoiic
places were thronged with people. Inc
Government departments were closed IN
honor of the memorable event. Eariy IN
the forenoon military companies pegah
to assemble at the various points assigned
them, and the town soon wore holiday
appearance. BY ten O'Clock crowds De-
gan to gather in the vicinity oil the monu-
ment. The knoll from which the great
shaft rises stands near the left BANK
OF the Potomac and is exposed to wintry
winds which are there felt more keenly
than at any other point In the city. On
the plain east Of the monument were
gathered the military and civic organiza-
tions, and beneath rudely constructed
board canopy were assembled the Presl'
dent, Congressional Commission, Monu-
ment Commission and members OF the
Masonic fraternity, to whom were as
signed parts in the dedicatory pro-
oramme.
CALL TO ORDER.
Senator German, chairman OF the joint
Congressional commission, from the
center of the stand, at eleven O'Clock,
called about 500 people to order and said
something about the people keeping their
hats on. These remarks were greeted
with lively stamps, for the opportunity
was good one TO restore circulation to
chilled limbs and extremities.
snERMAN's SPEECH.
Senator Sherman then proceeded to
speak as follows:
n commission authorized Dy tnt tWO
Houses of Congress to provide suitable GER
emonies for the dedication Of Washington
Monument direct me to preside ana to an.
nounce the order OF ceremonies deemed
proper on this occasion. i need n1e say
anything to impress upon you the dignity
OF the event you have assembled to celebrate.
The monument speaks for itself.
Simple in form, admirable in proper.
tions, composed OF enduring marble and
granite, resting upon foundations broad and
deep, it rises into the skies higher than any
work of human art. 1t Is the most impos-
ing, costly and appropriate monument ever
erected in honor OF one man. II has Its
origin In the profound conviction of the peo-
Pile, Irrespective of party, creed or race, not
only of tnis country, but OF all the clvilized
countries, that the name an fame OF Wash.
ington should be perpetuated by the most
imposing testimonial OF the Nations graft
tude to Its hero, statesman and father. This
universal sentiment took form In move
ment OF private citizens, associated under
the name OF the Washington National Monu.
ment Association, who on the 3ist OF
january, lsis, secured from Congress an act
authorizing them to erect proposed monu-
ment on this ground, selected as the most
appropriate site by the President OF the
United states. Its corner. stone was laid on
the 4th OF March, ls4s, by the Masonic frater-
nifty with imposing ceremonies, In the pres.
ence of the chief officers of the Government
and n multitude of citizens. twas partially
erected by the National Monument Associa-
tion, with means furnished by voluntary
contributions from the people OF the United
States. ON the 5th of July, 1916, one hundred
years after the declaration OF American in
dependence, Congress, in the name OF the
people of the United States, formally as
sumed and directed the completion OF the
monument. Since then the foundation has
been strengthened, the shaft has been stead
ily advanced, and now the completed struc.
ture stands before you. 1t Is a tit memorial
OF the greatest character In human history.
him on earth the most conspicuous object
In u landscape, full of objects deeply
interesting to the American people, and all
eyes turn to 1t, and all hearts feel the inspt
ration OF Its beauty, symmetry and gran
dcur. strong AS IL Is, 1t will not endure SO
long as the memory of him In whose honor
II WAS built, but while II stands 1t will be evil
dcnce to many succeeding generations o
the love and reverence OF tits generation fol
the name and fame OF George Washington
first In war. first In peace and first In the
hearts Of his conntrymen. More even thar
this, the prototype OF purity, OF manhood
aud patriotism for all lands and all time.
The Marine Band then played a shor
piece OF music, which was rendered al
most inaudibe by the continual stampin.
and shivering OF the open air audience
Prayer was offered by Rev. Mr.. Luter o
| Christ Church, Alexandria, Va.
| Mr.. w. w. Corcoran then read an I'D
dress in which he described at length tn
part taken in the initiation of the projec
aud construction of the monument b.
| the Washington Monument society, an
In conclusion said:
at is glory enough for the Washingto
/ Monument Society that Its pious labors, "A
] put to the proof of time, have Issued In tn
majestic structure which stands before u
I 10. day, and it is glory enough for the legisla
tive and the executive departments OF til
/ Government that In assuming and directin
/ the completion OF the monument, on tn
l..aI bxsN la thnx ha a
once redeemed a sacred National pledge an
fulnlied a sacred National duty by giving {
this great obelisk A elimination and crow
with which 1t towers above earth and soar
| Heavenward, like the fame II commemo
rates"
The remarks OF the various speaker
were inaudible, but puffs of steam froI
their mouths was evidence that the pre-
ceedings were being carried on accord
ing to the programme, and at every littl
intermission the auditors stamped aI
provingly.
MASONIC CEREMONIES.
The Masonic ceremonies by the Gran
Lodge of the District OF Columbia, whic
then followed, were brief. The prope
functionaries declared that the square
the level and the plumb had been apple
to the obelisk, and that its corners wer
found to be square; its courses level an
its walls skilfully erected according t
the plan. Grand Master Myron NJ
Parker scattered corn and poured ou
wine and oil, the emblems OF nourish
mcnt, refreshment and Joy, and in tn
course of the mystic ceremonies brough
into use certain historical relics wit
which Washington was intimately con
nected. The gave used was one pre-
pared for and used by General Washing
ton as Grand Master pro TEN. In layin
the cornerstone Of the Nationa
Capitol, 18th Of September l79a
A sacred volume belonging t
ErndcricL L shnrn Indre No Virginia