The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-02-22
every little intermission the audience stamped

every little intermission the audience stamped
approyingly
The Masonic ceremonies, by the Grand Lodge
of the District of Columbia, which then fol
lowed, were brief. The proper functinnaries de-
clared that the square, the level and the plumb
had been applied to the obelisk, anu that its
corners were found to be square, its courses
level, its walls skillfully erected. Grand Master
Myron W. Parker scattered corn and poured out
wine and oil, the emblems of nourishment, re-
freshment and joy, and in the course OF the
mystic ceremonies brought into use certain his
toric relies with which General Washington was
intimately connected. The grand master then
delivered an address and brief prayer brought
this part of the exercises to close.
REMARKS OF COLONEL CASEY
To Col. Thomas L. Casey. of the United States
Engineers, was assigned the duty of present
ing the part taken by the general government
in the construction of the monument and of de-
livering it to the President of the United States.
He gave an account Of the first proceedings in
Congress with view to completion of the monu-
ment, and described each of the successive steps
in the construction of the work until the setting
of the cap-stone finished the great undertaking,
and then said
Although the dimensions of the foundation
base were originally planned without due regard
to the tremendous forces to be brought into play
in building SO large an obelsk, the resources of
modern engineering science have supplied the
means for the completion of the grandest monu-
mental column ever erected III any age of the
world. In its proportions the ratios of the di-
mensions of the several parts of the ancient
Egyptian obesk have been carefully followed.
The height has been made slightly greater than
ten times the breadth of the base, producing an
obelisk that for grace and delcacy of outline is
not excelled by any of the larger Egyptian mon
oliths, while in dignity and grandeur it surpasses
any that can be mentioned. Mr., President, FOR
and in behalf of the joint commission for the
completion of the Washington monument, dc.
liver to you this column"
SPEECH OF PRESIDENT ARTHUR
President Arthur was greeted with round of
hearty cheers, and his audience listened more
eagerly to his remarks than the words of any
other speaker. He said
w-countrymen-Before the dawn of the
century whose eventful years will soon have
faded into the past, when death had but lately
robbed this Republic Of its most beloved and
illustrious citizen, the Congress of the United
States pledged the faith of the Nation that in
this city, bearing his honored name, and then,
as now, the seat Of the general government a
monument should be erected to commemorate
the great events of his military and political
life. The stately column that stretches heaven
ward from the plain whereOn we stand bears
witness to all who behold it that the covenant
which our fathers made their children have full
filled. In the completion of this great work of
patriotic endeavor there is abundant cause for
national rejoicing, for while this structure shall
endure it shall be to all mankind
strong token of the affectionate and rever-
ent regard in which this people
continue to hold the memory of Washington.
Well may he ever keep the foremost place in the
hearts of his countrymen The faith that never
faltered, the wisdom that was broader and deep
er than any learning taught in schools, the
courage that shrank from no peril and was dis
mayed by no defeat, tie loyalty that kept all
selfish purposes subordinate to the demands of
patriotism and honor the sagacity that displayed
itself in camp and cabinet alike and above all,
that harmonious union of moral and intellectual
qualities which has never found it's parallel
among men-these are the attributes of charac-
ter which the intellectual thought of this cen
tRry aserihes to tho grandest figure of the last.
But other and more eloquent lips than mine will
to-day rehearse to you the story of his noble life
and its glorious achievements. To myself has
been assigned simpler and more formal
now President Of the United States.
and in behalf of the people. receive this monu-
ment from the hands of its builder, and declare
it dedicated from this time forth to the immortal
name and memory of George Washington"
The President read this address in a firm
tone. At its conclusion cheers broke forth,
which were hearty and prolonged.
REVIEWING THE PROCESSION.
Upon signal from the chairman Senator
Sherman, the assembage again broke into
cheers, the military wheeled into line, the civic
bodies and distinguished participants in the pro-
ceedings of the day sought their carriages, and
the procession, under the marshalship of Gen
eral Sheridan, took up it's line of march to the
Capitol. Pennsylvania avenue presented brill
liant scene during the progress of the pageant.
Thousands of people thron ged the sidewalks and
occupied the grand stands erected along the line
of march. Many buildings were handsomely
decorated with flags and bunting. Although the
sun shone brightly and the air was dry and clear
the temperature much below the freezing
point, and the spectators were compelled to
stamp their feet and indulge in gymnastic eX-
ercises for relief from the piercing cold.
President Arthur, with his Cabinet Senators
Sherman and Hawley and members of the
diplomatic corps, occupied stand erected
directly in front of the east main entrance to the
Capitol, and facing the statue of Washington
Between 1000 and 5000 people were assembled
on the Capitol steps and in the adjoining grounds
and the windows of the Senate and House com
mttee rooms, overlooking the review ground
were filled with spectators. Immediately after
General Sheridan and his aides had passed the
President. they rode to point opposite, from
which the General also reviewed the procession.
The visiting and local military organizations
passed in review, formed in line by companies
and the spectacle presented was the finest dis
play of the days proceedings. The CLINT Of the
winter sunshine upon the polished arms and the
bright colors OF the uniforms lent suggestion
of warmth which was refreshing to the sensi-
bilties of the shivering spectators The review
continued until p. NJ, when the President and
the Cabinet returned to the Presidents room in
the Capitol where they took lunch before pro-
ceeding to the hall of the House of Representa-
tives.