Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1885-02-28
WASHINGTON LETTER.

wAsnINGToN. Feb. 2s, 'S5.-The completed
monument. the highest and most imposing
shaft In the world, was dedicated on saturday
ington. To build this monument was the m
tention of our great grandfathers. and OF our
fathers Us corner stone wa iaad more . anan
OF Congress pledged the government TO IT, and
when the pledges were seen to be OF no avail
enthusiasm e and on q correspondngly ambi-
tious scale. Everyone knows how the move
ment ALTERED and came 10 standstiil: how
~ attention of Congress, and extracted Iath-
er grudging dole OF money for 1t. The curious
thing about 1t was the apathy with which the
Of Washington showed any interest in it, al
though 1t was in memory of the man whom
their fathers delighted to honor, whom 1t was
adorned their legislative halls. Its completion
was then regarded as among the uncertainties
Of the future. A. the beginning Of the war y
stopped for years, while the people were blaz-
ing with ardor to cover the land with monu-
SCI s has
had many vicissitudes since the beginning OF
its skyward career. Its whole history is mot
subject Of yerv excstinr onarre amon9 enris
neers over its construction, and ola warm com.
petition among artists Of note over its design.
hold of the matter, made the necessary appro-
priations. and the work went slowly but stead
lily on. To-day the memorial stands complet-
ed, ON scale TO which all other similar struct-
ures of the world are toys. 1t is SIS feet square
at the base, 555 feet high, and its walls are If
teen feet thick. It has cost so far ST. 7l03l.
In Its dedication distinguished men from the
North, South, East and West participated.
The ceremonies were appropriate and impos-
and TAG on
element was the intensely cold atmosphere,
which made comfort impossible for either pa
raiders or spectators. The military wore their
TN cd ha} aHofa liora mr.,
around their necks, and ear muffs were In de-
mand. Ladies' in fur wraps shivered. stamped
their feet, and danced in their efforts TO resist
the cold. but all chung to their vantage ground
until the last Of the procession passed. The
ceremonies at the base of the Monument were
by w. w. Corcoran of the Monument society.
one by Col. Casey the engineer of the work, de-
livering 1t over TO the President, and speech
by tie President dedicating it to the name OF
George Washington: The sharp wind made 1t
impossible for the speakers to be heard except
by those Immediately around them ON the
stand. The smoke issuing from their lips was
the only indication of language to their more
distant audience, though q decided effort was
made to hear President Arthur's remarks.
Massed around the Monument were five thous-
and or more men, comprising the civic and
military organizations, who had been exposed
to the nipping air for several hours. They
were eager to march, and at the signal from
Senator Sherman, master ofceremonies, quick
ly wheeled into line. Pennsylvania avenue
presented brilliant scene during the progress
ofthe pageant. The people lined the sidewalks
filled the windows. waved their handkerchief
and eheered. Many buildings were decorated
with flags and long lines of colored bunting.
The General OF the Army rode at the head OF
the procession on black horse. He was wrap
ped in Black cloak, and was followed by four
aids. General Ayers brought up the first d.
vision OF the parade. Fitzhugh Lee mounted
on fine bay stallion the second, and General
Dudley the third. President Arthur rode In a
coach and four in the midst of the line of earri-
ages containing Senators and Representatives
and other distinguished participants. At the
President from the East front, and 1t then dis
persed. The ceremonies in the Hall of Repre-
sental1ves consisted of a prayer, music, two
long orations by Hon. Robert Winthrop, OF
massachusetts,, and Hon. John w. Daniel OF
Virginia, and lastly O benediction. The de-
cendants of Washington's family sat together
10 the audience, and listened attentiveiy to
the proceedings: A grand pyrotechnic display
was the finale OF the day, and thousands BRAY
ed the bitter winds to view ii.