The Dickinson press., 1885-02-28
WASHINGTON
The Ceremony of Defeating the Wash
ington Monument Executed Ac-
cording to Programme.
A Scene Of Brilliancy Such as the Ma
ti0nal Capital Has Seldom. If
Ever Presented.

Eloquent Orations by r. c. Winthrop
and John w. Daniels, with Some
Minor Addresses.
The ceremonies attending the completion of
the Washington Monument, the highest struc-
ture ever created by human hands, at the city
of Washington on the 2lst inst, were of an inn
posing character. The celebration was in two
parts, one ut the base of the monument and
the other in the hall of the house of represen-
tatives where the principal %oratlons were de-
livered.
AT h MONUMENT.
The day was cold and disagreeable. The
military arrived betimes, the brass bands
were marshaled to their places, the troops
come to a rest Senator Sherman, chairman of
the joint congressional commission, from the
center of the stand, at II O'Clock, called about
SoO people to order, and said something about
marks were greeted with lively stamps, for the
opportunity was a good one to restore circulation
to chilled limbs and extremities. Senator Sher-
man then proceeded to give a brief history of the
monument, from the organization of the Wash
lngton Monument Association in lAS, and the
laying of the corner stone on the 4th OF July of
that year to its completion in 1855. He was
followed by w. w. Corcoran, the philanthro-
pist, who described at length the part taken
on the initiation of the projectand the con-
struction Of the Monument society.
The Masonic ceremonies by the Grand
Lodge, District Columbia, which then fol-
lowed, were brief. The proper functionaries
declared that the square, the level and the
plumb had been applied to the obelisk. and
that its corners were foundt to be square, its
course level. its walls skillfully erected ac-
cording to the plumb. Grand Master Myron
NJ. Parker scattered corn and poured out
win and oil, emblems of refreshment and
Joy, and, in the course of the mystic cere-
monies, brought into use certain historic
relics with which Gen. Washington was i'm
mediately connected. The gavel used was
one prepared for and used by Gen. Wash
ington, as grand master of the fraternity IN
laying the corner stone of the national cap
ltol on the sub of September, 1898, a sacred
volume belonging to fredericksburg Lodge
No. D., of Virginia, upon which Washing
ton took the first VOWS of Masonry, and that
belonging to st Johns Lodge No. 1, city
of New York, upon which on the Both of
a ARIEL aa a7s sgsr ne pgesi t1ak Of the the oath United Of
States; the great light belonging to
Va, upon which he. as worshipful
master, received the VOWS of the initiation;
the apron worn by him, which was worked
by Madame Lafayette; a golden ling, con-
tanning a lock of his hair, belonging to the
grand lodge of Massachusetts; the lesser
light one of the three sperm candles borne In
Westinghouse funeral procession, We're eXhib-
tied. The address of the grand master con-
cluded as follows;
Know We all We people that we be Free Masons,
loyal and true citizens, obediens to law and
order, and can never be concerned in plots and
conspiracies against the true government. The
immortal Washington, himself a Free Mason, dc
voted his hand, his heart, his sacred honor, and
Ii need be, his life also, to the cause of freedom
his successful leading has arisen this nation. TO
him and the memory Of his deeds a grateful pco-
pie have erected this memorial in the capital
which he founded and which will bear his name
to remoLesJ ages, a mOnunc mt towering above
other monuments as his lowered above other
men.
The monument was then formally de-
livered to President Arthur by Col.
Thomas l. Casey. the engineer.
PRESIDENT ARTHUR's ADDRESS.
President Arthur in accepting the monu-
ment said:
Fellow Countrymen: Before the dawn Of the
century whose eventful years, will soon have
robbed this republic of its most beloved and
illustrious citizen, the congress of the United
States pledged the national faith that in this
city bearing his honored name, and then, as
now, the seat of the general goyrnment, a mon
ument should be erected to commemorate the
great events of his military and political life.
The stately column that stretches heavenward
from the plain whereon we stand bears witness
to all who behold it, that the covenant which
our fathers made, their children have fulfilled.
In the completion OF this great work of patriotic
endeavor there Is abundant cause for national
rejoicing, for. while this structure shall be to
a az mankind and a stea aaHassn+ token nao.r Of the he
which this people continue to hold
the memory Of Washington, well may he ever
keep the foremost place in the hearts Of all his
countrymen. The faith tt a. never taltered, the
wisdom that was broader and deeper than any
Leaning Taught in schools, the courage that
defeat. the loyalty that kept all selfish purposes
subordinate to the demands of patriotism and
honor. the sagacity that displayed itself in CAM
and cabinet alike. and above all that harmonious
union of moral and intellectual quarters which
has never found it's parallel among men. These
are the attributes Of character which the intelli-
grandest figure Of the last. But other and more
eloquent lips than mine will to-day rehcarse to
you the story Of his noble life and its glorious
simpler and more formal duty, in the fulfillment
of which l do now, as president OF the United
States, and in behalf of the people. receive this
monument from the hands of its builder, and
declare it dedicated from this time forth to the
n%niversa! name and memory of George Wash
tngton.
THE PROCESSION.
The procession was then formed by Gen.
Phil Sheridan, assisted by a brilliant staff, and
an honorary staff,representing all the states and
territories, The following were on the homo
1ary staff: Iowa, Col C. VIM: P: Hepburn;
M1uuoSOld, SOL ". w. OOLAuSOA, VAoCOA5lA3
Gen. J. Starckweather: Dakota, Col. VIM.
Thompson; Montana, Hon. Martin Maginnis.
The procession was composed of a large
body Of United States troops, and military COM
panles from many States, including the Ancient
and Honorable Artillery of Massachusetts,, or
ganized in 1858, and other very ancient organ
~izations; Masons, Odd Fellows anda variety of
civic organizations.
Pennsylvania avenue presented a brilliant
scene during the progress of the pageant.
Thousands Of people thronged the sidewalks
and occupied grand stands erected on all reser-
vations along the line Of march.
At the capitol there was a vast attendance,
and the hall of the house was crowded with
the most notable peopleof the land
CALLED TO ORDER.
Its presiding officer, Mr.. Edmunds, pro
.ceeded to the speakers desk where the gave
was courtously handed HIM by Speaker
Carlisle. In calling the assembly to order
MI. Edmunds said:
Gentlemen: You are assembled pursuant to a
concurrent order Of the two houses to celebrate
the completion of a monument to the memory 9
not only a memorial but an inspiration tina
shall live through all the generations Of gu
posterity. as we may hope, and which we th1
day inaugurate and celebrate by
which have been ordered by the two houses.
Prayer was then offered by Rev. S A
Wallis, of Pohickchurch. near Mount Vernon
Va. The Marine band, stationed in tn
members lobby. played Hail Columbia,
and then Mr.. Edmunds, expressing his re
sent, introduced Representative John D
Long Of Massachusetts, who having beef
loudly applauded proceeded to read
wETHRoP'so GRAFTON.
After referring to the fact of his having dcliv
cred an address at the cornerstone having of tn
monument thirty-seven years ago, and givin
an outline of the enterprise and the many diff
culties which had now been overcome by tn
Tho 1-nk-. AZ - h