Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-02-21
j. Bayard III. Smith,
w. W. Corcoran,
lnhu = lncla
George Bancroft,
Rr. Ad. G. X. Z. Rodgers

In conclusion, let me- say that should be
strangely wanting TO my sense OF the proprie-
ties belonging to this time and place, q, stand
ing here as the representative Of the Washing
ton National Monument Society. / should fail
In this high presence and at this solemn mo-
ment 10 give emphatic expression TO the pro-
found gratitude, which is due from the society
to the Legislative and Executive Departments
OF the Government who have brought TO suc-
ctssiul completion the patriotic work which
the Society was not able to accomplish.
For the praise OF the accomplished engineer OF
the Army, Col. Thomas Lincoln Casey, who has
here built SO soidly and so skillfully we have
only 10 look up to the finished work OF his
scientlnc hand, as that work stands before us to
day in the strong and even poise OF its we'll
balanced architecture.
The heraldic ensign of Washington bore for
Its motto the words E1ItuS dctd gr061t, '' their
issue puts actions TO the proof" The actions of
W ashlngton- as put 70 the proof OF time. have
issued in a great nation made free and indie
pendent under HIS military leadership: in con.
stitutional polity, based on liberty regulated by
law, as devised by the convention OF statesmen
over whose deliberations he presided; In tho
powerful Federal Government whose energies
he first set in motion from the high seat OF its
Chief Executive; in the affectionate and grate-
ful recollection OF more than nifty millions of
people who to-day find in his name and fame
their choicest national legacy; and finally, in
the NeneratIon and homage OF all mankind,
who. 10 the rcn1oteSt ends OF the world, have
learned 10 honor in our iluStrious cuuntryman
the best as well as the greatest OF the sons of
men.
Surely, then, II is glory enough for the Wash.
lngton National Monument society that its
plouS iaDofS, aS pHt To the PROOF of time, have
issued III the majestic structure which stands
before us to-day. and IL Is glory enough for the
Legislative anu Executive Departments Of the
government that in assuming and directing
the completion OF the Monument on the foun-
dations laid by the people, they have at once re-
deemed sacred national pledge, and fulfilled a
sacred national duty, 10y giving 10 this grea
obelisk the elimination and crown with which
II towers above earth and scars heayenward,
IKE the lame IL commentaries.
THE MASONIC CEREMONIES
which followed conducted hN- N,ro, N
Parker, NJ. w. Grand Master OF the Grand
Lodge; Deputy Grand Master Thomas p Chif
telle, Senior Grand Warden Jose NJ. Yznaga and
Junior Grand Warden Jesse W. Lee ir, and the
Grand Chaplain c. Il. Smith took part in the
brief ritual prepared for the occasion. This con-
sisted of an examination as To the uses OF the
Masonic implements. The Deputy Grand Mas
ter announced that he found the corners 10 TOO
square, the Senior Grand Warden that ne found
the courses 10 be level, and the Junior Grand
Warden that he found that the walls have been
skllliully erected according Ia rule. The Grand
Master then pronounced the obelsk to have
been mechanically completed. The Grand
Master, upon this, scattered the corn and poured
out the wine and oil, I'm accordance with Masouio
usage. He then made a brief address, giving
an account OF the Masonic relics of Washington
used in the ceremony. The Grand Master In
closing, said:
know We all We people, that we be Free
MasonS, loyal and true citizens, obedient to
law and order and can never be concerned in
piots ana conSplracies against true government.
The immortal Washington, himself "A Free
Mason, devoted his hand, his heart, his sacred
hOn' Z, and, ii need be- his life also 10 the
Cause of freedom of conscience of speech
and of action; and from his successful leading
has arisen this nation. To him and the memory
Memorial in the Capital which he founded, and
VIII bear his name To remotest ages; a Monu-
ment towering above other Monuments as hs
lowered above other men,"
The grand chaplain then advancing said:
May he Lord, the giver OF every perfect gift,
bless all who are assembled and grant to each
n pf npn ris slafp,a MT
wine OF reireshment, and oil ef Joy"
. The MaSons present then responded, $50 mote
closed.
Col 7; L. Casey, the engineer of the monu-
ment, then delivered the following address de-
ANerlhS the monument 10 the President:
Colonel Casey's Address.
lfr. Chairman: The duty has been assigned
ne of presenting the part taken by the general
government in the construction of this monu-
ment, and of delivering il to the President Of
the United States.
You have heard from the first vice president
of the Washington National Monument society
OF the l,trt taken by that distinguished body in
she inception and partial construction of the
monument and of Us appeals, both to the peo-
pie OF he country and To Congress, for assist
ance in the great work so bravely undertaken
W hateNer may nave been the results of these
appeals, no really effective proceedings were
had IN ConGI eSs, having in view the com pletion
OF the monument, until July 5, 1875 on that
day, Mr. Chairman, you introduced In the Sem
ate a concurrent resolution, referring In terms
10 the centennial of our national Independence
and To the influence of George Washington in
securing that Independence, and closing as fol.
lows:
Therefore as a mark of our sense Of honor
due his name and his compatriots and asso-
claies, our revolutionary fathers we, the Sen-
ate and House of Representative, I'm Congress
5SseinDled, IN the name of the people of the
United states, at this, the beginning of the Sec
ono century OF national existence, do assume
anu direct the completion of the Washington
E.onument in the city OF Washington, and in
struct the committees on appropriations of the
respective houses 10 propose suitable provisions
Of law to carry this resolution into effect
Within two days from il introduction this reso-
luton was passed unanimously 10y both houses,
and, In obedience, To its Instructions bill for
The completion OF the Washington monument
was at once reported in the House of Repre-.
sentatlVes, and became law August ., 1870,
That statute appropriated S200,OO0 for
THE COMPLETION OF THE MONUMENT,
TO be expended In four equal annual INSTALL
Inents; provided for a transfer TO the United
States of the ownership of the portion OF the
shaft then built, and created a Joint commits
sion to direct and supervise the construction of
the monument, which commission was TO
make a report each year TO Congress- The com.
mission was To consist of the President OF the
United States, the supervising architect of the
treasury department., the architect of the Cap
ltol, the chief OF engineers OF the United States
army, and the first vice president of the Wash-
ington National Monument society.
The act further required, "That, prior TO com.
mencing any work on tine monument an exam-
:nat1on should be made OF its foundation, in
order TO thoroughly ascertain whether IL was
sufficient to sustain the weight OF the completed
structure, and, if the same should be found in-
sufficient, then the further continuance OF the
work was not TO be authorized by anything con.
tanned in the act until the fl.rther action Of
Congress-"
From the early days Of the construction there
had been apprehensions that
THE FOUNDATION
was not OF sufficient size to sustain the column
if carried to the height originally designed
These apprehensions, which, just after the lay.
ing of the cornerstone, were shared by but few
persons, had, as far BACK as 1853, become wide.
spread, and were entertained by many intellI,
gent people. In 1873, after a lapse of twenty
years, the question of the sufficiency OF the
foundation Was again the subject of discussion,
at this time by committee OF the House OF
Representatives.
This was the select committee OF thirteen Gre
ated TO consider the PRACTICABLE Ety OF completing
the Washington monument bt the time of the
centennial celebration of the Declaration of In.
dependence, July 4, 1876. During their delib,
erations, they caused special Investigations 10
be made concerning the stability ofthe existing
structure. These Investigations and the reports
were made by capable engineers, and the con.
clusions drawn by them were 10 the effect that
the existing foundation should not be subjected
to any additional load whatever; in other words,
that it would be unsafe TO increase the height oi
the incomplete shaft.
It was hardly to be expected that the further
examinations required by the act OF August,
1876 would disclose anything different as TO
the condition of the foundation, nevertheless,
the Joint Commission secured the services OF
another board OF experienced engineers, who,
after careful bortngs, examinations and tests
of the earth of the site, and due deibera ration
ported on the 10th of April and 9th OF June,
aAafH 90