Connecticut western news., 1885-03-04
LATEST NEWS NOTES.
Happenings of Interest % All,
 At Homo and Abroad
THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT.
Its Dedication with Rfl the HOnOrs that
 Could Be Accorded lts

On Saturday, February 21st, the Washing | ton Monument, the work of thirty-seven years, was formally dedicated. Seldom in the history of the United States has such a magnificent pageant been witnessed as the imposing cere- monial that took place during this the kmOst | impressive celebration of Washington's Birth day, that has been held in the natiofi's capital From an early hour in the morning the principal streets and avenues were thronged with constantly accommodating crowds, and the profuse display of flags and bunting gave token that the occasion was a holiday of no common significance. The day was fine with plenty of sunshine, but intensely cold. The low tenn perature, however, did not mar the pleasure of the spectators the duty of the actors in the dedication ceremonies.
 The procession was eight thousand strong and made an unusually fine display. It was | formed at the base of the monument and st | the conclusion of the first part of the cerer
 monies, marched along Pennsylvania avenue | to the Capitol while salutes were fired at the Navy Yard, the Artillery Headquarters and Fort Myers. The President reviewed the pro- cession at the Capitol from & stand on the eastern front.
 The site of the monument is on the north bank of the Potomac, south of the Executive Mansion, and in a spot so conspicuous that it is visible from every part of the city, The ceremonies commenced at eleven o'clock. Mr. John Sherman, Senator from Ohio, and chair man of the Commission authorized by the joint or lo1 lOok, preSlulnR. linen followed music by the Marine band, after which prayer was conducted by the Rev. Mir. Inter, of Christ Church. Alexandria, Va. This was followed by some remarks by Mir. w. W. Corcoran, the first vice president of the Washington Monument Society. The Masonic ceremonies came next by the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia, assisted by large number of encampments and lodges. The gavel which was used by Grand Master Myron M. Parker was used by Washington, who was 8 Mason himself, in laying the corner stone of the United States Capitol and was also used on many other historic occasions.
 Hon. Robert c. Winthrop, in his oration, after alluding to the change which had taken place i'll himself since, thirty-seven years ago, he in the prime of manhood delivered the ad- dress at the laying of the cornerstone of the Washington monument, and the con- ton to the fact that now more than half century ago Q voluntary association of patriotic citizens initiated the project of erecting the national monument to Wash ingt.n in the city which bears his name. It was practical effort to carry out what Con- gress had ordered, but failed for want of means to perform. Chief Justice Marshall was thu first president of the association, in 1888, followed by James Madison. The speaker said that the monument 555 feet high speaks for itself and needs no other orator. It has a living and audible voice for all. It has been erected according to the original design, and is the most celebrated of the obelisks ln history. Not a monollth, but a number of stones, embodying in itself the national motto, E Plur'ibus U1ltt1n The Father of his Country, first without second, could not be more titiy represented; the one name in American history above all other names and that monument IS above all others.
 The orator, after comparing Washington with other heroes and great men of ancient and modern times, said: "Washington had his infrmities and passions; like the rest of us, he would have been more or less than human, had he never been overcome by them" The orator alluded to events which manifested this, and then pointed out the high appreciation in which his character was held by his contemporaries and subsequent generations. Allusion was also made to the coming centen- nial Of the inauguration of the first President, and hope expressed that Washington's suc- cessors in the future would emulate his char acter. The elements might deface the beauty of the monument, earthquakes and storms might destroy it, but the character which it commemorates and illustrates is secure. It will remain unchanged, and "God be praised. that character is ours forever"
 Hon. John W. Daniel, of Virginia, followed Mir. Winthrop, and after referring to the grandeur of Washington's history, which stood solitary and alone," and his moulding the disconnected fragments of this country into nation which he estab- lshed with constitutional government and after referring to the authors who had im- mortalized him in history, spoke of the lives of heroes as mere fragment of tho life set before the audience to-day-the "First of Men, Founder and Saviour of his Country Prcserver of Liberty and Father of his People,"