The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-02-22
Observed at the Washington Monument
Dedication = The Pleasures of
the Event Marred by Cold
Weather.
TIE Various Speeches and Incidents
That Took Place on the Mem
orable Occasion.
THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT.
Its Dedication Ceremonies Performed In
Atmosphere OF Almost Arctic
ChiIlfness.


almo st 10 zero and with northerly breeze which
bore suggestion of its Arctic origin, the sprink-
ling OF ticket bearers who began fl up the seats
Of the grand stand at the base o. the Washington
Monument at 10 o'clock this morning. did not ap-
pear 10 be bent upon pleasure, but with their up
turned collars, musiied chins, and quick nervous
movements, seemed a il inspired by stern sense
OF ouly alone.
The first distinguished arrived was an Old
gentleman with white hair, whose firm, clt
features bewrsyel possible relationship TO the
father OF his country. Tickets 7 one OF
wsshiDgton's kindred, but I will show my
ticket" 1t was Ebentzer Burgess Ball. of London
County. Virginia. NY grandmother, he said,
twas George Washington's niece
The military arrived 0etimes the brass bands
were marshalled 10 their Places the troops come
rest, and Senator Sherman, Chairman OF the Joint
Congressional Commission from the center of the
stand at II O'Clock called about so people to
order. and said something about the people keep.
ing their hats on. These remarks were greeted
with lively stamps, for the opportunity was good
one to restore circulation 10 chilled limbs aud ex-
tremiues Senator Sherman then proceeded to
speak as follows:
The commission authorized by the two Houses
OF Congress 10 provide suita ble ceremonies for the
dedication of the Washington Monument direct
me TO preside and 10 announce tue order OF cere
monies deemed roper on this occasion. I need
not say anything to impress upon you the dignity
OF the event you have met 10 celebrate. Tae
monument speaks for itself. Simple in form, ad-
mirabie in proportion, composed of enduring
marble aud granite, resting upon foundations
broad and deep. it rises into the skies higher
than any work of human art. II is tue most i'm
posing: costly and appropriate monument ever
erected In honor oi man. ii has lts origin in the
profound conviction of the people, irrespective Of
party creed or race, not only in this country Out
in all civilized countries that the name and fame
of Washington should be perpetuated by the
mos imposing testimonial of the Nations graft
tude TO its hero, statesman and father. This uni.
verssl sentiment took form in movement OF pri-
vate citizens, associated under the name of tue
Washington NatiOoal Monument Association,
who, on the Slst of January. lsls. secured from
Congress an ect authorizing them 10 erect the
proposed monument 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 OF uly. isIs by the Masonic fraternity with
i'm posing ceremonies In the presence the chief Of
nceIs OF the Goverament ana a mulutude OF
Monument Association with the means furnished
by voluntary contributions of the the people of
the United States. On the 9th of July. 1876. one
hundred years fter the declaration of American
Independence, Congress. in the name of the peo-
pie OF the United States, formally assumed and df
rected the completion o. the monument. Since
then The foundation has been strengthened the
shaft has been steadily advanced. and the now
com pleted structure stands before you. IL is fit
memorial OF the greatest character in human
history. II LOOKS down upon the sceaes
most loved by. him on eartn, the mos;
iuii Of objects deeply interestin. TO
the American people aud all eyes turn to it; all
hearts feel the inspiration of its beauty, symme-
Try and grandeur Strong as IT is, it will not en-
dure as long as the memory OF him in whose
honor IL was ruit. But while it stands 1t will be
an evidence 10 many succeeding generations OF
the love and reverence OF this generation for the
nsme and fame oil George Washington, irst IN
war. first in peace. and first in the nesrts of his
countrymen. More even than this, the prototype
OF purity In manhood and pa riotism for all lands
and all time Witho ut farther preface proceed
TO discharge The duty assigned me
W. W. Corcoran then described at length
the part taken in the initiation of the
project and construction OF the monument
by the Washington National Monument
Society. and In conclusion said: at Is glory
enough for the Washington Monument Society,
that It's pious labors as put TO the proof Of time
have issued in the majestic structure which
stands before US to-day, and it was glory enough
for the legislative and executive departments OF
the 6overnmed that in assuming and directing
the completion OF the monument on a foundation
LAID by the people, they have ct once redeemed
national duty, by giving 10 this great obeisk the
elimination and crown with which it towers
above the earth. aud scars heav en- ward like the
fame 1t commemorates
The Marine Baud then PLAYED a short piece of
music. which was rendered almost inaudible by
the continued stamping CT the shivering open AIR
audience Prayer was offered by Rev Mr. Letter
OF Christ Church, Alexandria Va.
. ne remarks oil the various speakers we've inau-
evidence that the proceedings were being carried
on according to pro2ramme, and az every little in
termlsslon the auditors stamped approvingly.
COLONEL cAsEY's PRESENTATION.
To Colonel Thomas L. Casey. of the United
States engineers. was ASSIGNED the duty of pre-
senting the part taken by the general government
in the construction OF the monument aud of de-
liveIing it to the President of the United states
de gave an account OF the first proceedings in
Congress with view TO completing the Eonu
ment, and described each successful step in the
construction of the work until the setting of the
eapstone finished the great undertaking. He then
said:
Although the dimensions oil the foundation
psse were originally planned without due regard
10 the tremendous forces to be brought into play
IN building so large ooelisk the resources OF
modern engineering science have supplied the
means for the completion OF the greatest monu-
mental column ever erected in any age OF the
world. In its proportions the ratios OF dimen-
slons OF the several parts OF the ancient Egyptian
obelisks have been carefully followed. The height
has been made slightly. greater than ten
times The breadt5 OF the base producing an obe
lish that for grace and deIicscy of outline is not
while In dignity and grandeur il surpaSses eny
that can be mentioned And. Mr.. President for
and in behalf of the Joint commission for the
completion OF the Washington Monument, l de-
liver TO you this column.
PRESIDENT ARTHUR RECEIVES THE NoSuNEST.
President Arthur, in accepting the monument,
Fellow 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 iliustrions
citizen, the Congress of the United States pledged
the isiih OF the Nation that in this city, bearing
bis honored name, aud then, as now the seat OF
n
erected TO commemorate the great events of his
military and political life. The stately column
that stretches heavenward from the plain whereon
We sand bears witness TO all who behold it. that
TIE covenant which our fathers made their chill
cren have fulfilled. In the compile
uon of this great work OF patriotic en-
deayor, there is abundant cause for na-
tona rejoicing. for while this structure
enaures II shall be to all mankind s:strong token
OF the anectonaie and feryent regardin wnich.this
people continue 10 hold the memory of wasn-
fngton. Well may he ever keep the foremost
place In the hearts of his countrymen The faith
that never faltered the wisdom that was broader
ana DEEPER than any learning taught in schools,
the courage that shrank from no peril and was
dismayed by no defeat the loyalty that kept all
selfish purpose subordinated to the demands of
patriotism and honor. the saeacity that displayed
itself In camp and Cabinet alike, and, above all,
that harmonious union of moral and intellectual
qualities which has never focnd its parallel
among men-these are the attributes of O charsc-
ter which the intelligent thought OF this country
ascrioee to the srandest figure of history. But
day rehearse to you the story OF his re-