Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-02-21
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ASSOCIATED PRESS DISPATCHES.
Dedication Of the Washington Monument.


With the mercery down almost to zero,
and with a Dortherly breeze which bore
suggestion of it's Arctic origin, the sprink-
ling of ticket bearers who began TO till up
the seats of the grand-stand at the base of
the Washington monument at 10 o'clock
this morning did not appear to be bent upon
pleasure, but with their upturned collars,
mufled chins, and quick, nervous move
ments, they seemed as'if inspired by II stern
sense Of duty alone. A rough-hoard shed,
tedecked with bunting, opening upon
snow covered field; shaft Of marble as
simple, as unspotled, as maj and tower
ing as the character of the man it commem
crates, were the elements Of the early
scenes.
Th. first distinguished arrival was an old
gentleman with long, white hair, whose
firm, clear-cut features betrayed possible
relationship to the Father Of his Country.
Ticket, sir" Il am one of the Washing
ton kindred, but | will show my ticket"
1t was Ebenezer Burgess Ball. of Loudonn
county, Va. My grandfather" he said 10
reporter, was George Washington Niece.
NV grandfather Ball was Of the family OF
tcDcEal w dSuiuRlOA poi''
The military arrived Defines; the brass
| bands we're marshaied 10 their places; auu
| The troops come 10 rest
Senator Sherman, chairman of The joint
Couyressiunal committee, from the centre
slard at II o'clock, called about eight bun
drei people TO order, and said something
about people keeping their hats on. These
reuaras were greeted with lively STAMPS
for the opportunity WAS good Que 10 To
store circulation 10 chilled limbs and eX
| tremiti.s.
Seuaior Sherman then proceeded to speak
as fuiiuw>:
The commission authorized by the two
| HOUSES OF congress to provide suitable c'r
enouies for the dedication Of the Washing
Ton monument direct me to preside and TO
| announce the order Of ceremonies deemed
proper on this OCCASION. need not say
anything TO impress upon you the dignity
of the event you have met 10 celebrate
The monument speaks for itself-simple In
| form admirable ia proportions, composed
of enduring marble aud granite, resting np
on foundations broad and deep, it rises into
the skies higher than amy work of human
art. 1t is the most imposing, costly and
| appropriate monument ever erected IN hon
or of one man. Ii bad its origin in the pro-
found conviction of thu people, irrespective
of partv, creed or race, not only OF this
country, but of all civilized countries, that
the name aud fame of Washington should
be perpetuated by the most imposing testi
monial of nations gratitude to its Hero
Statesman and Father. He then spoke Of
the laying Of the corner stone and the
erection of the monument and without fur
Their preface proceeded &C. discharge the du-
ty assigned him.
The Marine Band then played a short
piece of music, which was rendered almost
inaudhle by the continual stamping Of The
shivering open.ar audience.
PRAYER was then offered by the Rey Mr..
Suter, of Christ church, Alexandria, Va,
ard DR.. J. c. yelling, President OF tie Co.
lumbia University. lhereupon read the I'D
dress prepared ivy Mr.. W. w. Gorcoran, to
whom had been assigned the honor of rep
resenting tho part taken in the imitation OF
the project aud construction Of the monu
ment by the Washington Monument So
ciety, OF which be is the Isl vice president.
The remarks Of the various speakers
were inaudible, but the pulfs of steam from
their mouths wos evidence that the proceed
! ipgs were being carried on according to
programme, and at every lutte internission
the auditors stamped approvingly.
! The Masonic ceremonies by the Grand
Lodge of the District of Columbia, which
then followed, were brief The proper
functionaries declared that the square, the
level, and the plumb bad been applied TO
The obelsk aud that its corners were found
to be square, its courses level, its walls
skiltully erected according to plan.
Grand Master Myron N. Parker scatter
ed corn aud poured out wine and oil
enblens of nourishment, refreshment and
Joy, and, in the course of the mystic cere-
monies, brought into use certain historic
relics with which General Washington WIS
Intimately connected. The gayel was pre-
pared for and used by General Washington
as Grand Master pro TEN. in laying the
corner stone Of the national Capitol on the
| 18th Of September, 1898. The sacred volume
! belonging 10 Frederick sburg Lodge, No. 1,
of Virginia, upon which Washington took
his first VOWS of Masonry; that belonging
to st. Johns Lodge. No |, of the city Of
New York, upon which, on the 30th If
April, 1889 lie took The outh Of Office as The
first President, of The United Stales; the
Great Light" belonging to the Alexandria
Washington Lodge, No % ofAlexandria, Va,
upon which he,a Worshipful Master, receiv-
ed the VOWS of an initiate; the apron worn by
him which was worked by Mad LsFay ette;
golden urn containing lock OF his hair
belonging to the Grand Lodge of Massachu-
sets the Lesser Light''-one OF the three
sperm candles borne in WushingtOn's IT,
neral procession were exhibited. The al.
dress Of the Grand Master concluded rs fol-
lows: Know ye, ali We people, that we be
Free Masons, loyal and true citizens, ODE.
dent to law and order, and can never be
concerned in plots and couspiracies against
true government. The immortal Washing
ton, himself Free Mason, devoted his
hand, his heart, his sacred honor, and, if
need be, his life also. to the cause Of free
dom of conscience, of speech and Of action
and from his successful leading has arisen
this nation. To him aud the memory of his
deeds grateful people have erected this
memorial in the ca piIal which he founded,
and which will bear his name 10 remotesu
ages II monument towering above other
monuments as be lowered above other
men,"
a brief prayer by the Grand Chaplain,