The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1885-02-28
THE NATIONS PRIDE.
An Imposing Ceremonial at the
National Capital.
The TaiIcst Shaft Ever Reared by Mortal
Hands Dedicated to tho Memory
of George Washington, Father
of His Country.

pneumonia 1t was bright and clear, but
biting cold. The day was, however,
given up completely to the dedication of
Washington Monument, and in spite of
the chilling air the streets and public
places were thronged with people. The
Government departments were closed in
honor of the memorable event. Early in
the forenoon military companies began
to assemble at the various points assigned
them, and the town soon wore holiday
appearance. BY ten o'clock crowds be-
gan to gather in the vicinity of the monu-
ment. The knoll from which the great
shaft rises stands near the left bank
of the Potomac and is exposed to wintry
winds which are there felt more keenly
than at any other point in the city. On
the plain east of the monument were
gathered the military and civic organiza-
tions, and beneath rudely constructed
board canopy were assembled the Presi-
dent, Congressional Commission, Monu-
ment Commission and members of the
Masonic fraternity, to whom were as
signed parts in the dedicatory pro-
Oramme.
CALL TO ORDER.
Senator German, chairman of the Joint
Congressional commission, .from the
center of the stand, at eleven o'clock,
called about 800 people to order and said
something about the people keeping their
hats on. These remarks were greeted
with lively stamps, for the opportunity
was good one to restore circulation to
chilled limbs and extremitles.
sHERMAN's SPEECH.
Senator Sherman then proceeded to
speak as follows:
A commission authorized by the two
Houses of Congress to provide suitable GER
enemies for the dedication of Washington
Monument direct me to preside and to an.
nounce the order of ceremonies deemed
proper on this occasion. l need not say
anything to impress upon you the dignity
of the event YOU have assembled to celebrate.
The monument speaks for itself
Simple in form, admirable in proper
tions, composed of enduring marble and
granite, resting upon foundations broad and
deep, 1t rises into the skies higher than aay
| work of human art. 1t is the most impos.
| ing, costly and appropriate monument ever
| erected in honor of one man. 1t has 1t;
| origin in the profound conviction of the beo
| pie, irrespective OF party, creed or race, no
| only of TINS country, but of all the civilized
| countries, that the name an fame of Wash
| ington should be perpetuated by the most
| imposing testimonial of the Nations graft
tude to its hero, statesman and father. This
universal sentiment took form in move
| ment of private citizens, associated under
| the name of the Washington National Monu
| ment Association, who on the 3lst Of
| January, 1913, secured from Congress an act
| authorizing them to erect a proposed monu'
ment on this ground selected as the mos
appropriate site by the President of the
| United States. Its cornerstone was laid OF
| the 4th Of March, 1913, by the Masonic frater
| nifty with imposing ceremonies, in the pres
| ence of the chief officers of the Government
| and multitude of citizens TWAS partially
| erected by the National Monument Associa
| ton, with means furnished by voluntary
contributions from the people of the Unitc(
| States. On the 5th of July, 1876, one hundred
years after the declaration of American in
dependence, Congress, IN the name OF thu
| people of the United States, formally as
sumed and directed the completion of thu
monument. Since then the foundation ha
| been strengthened, the shaft has been stead
| lily advanced, and now the completed struc
| ture stands before you. 1t Is Il fit memorial
| OF the greatest character in human history
1t looks down upon scenes most loved b,
him on earth, the most conspicuous objec
in landscape, full of objects deepl.
| interesting to the American people, and id
eyes turn TO 1t, and all hearts feel the nsp
ration OF Its beauty, symmetry and gran
| deur strong rs 1t is, 1t will not endure 81
long as the memory of him In whose homo
! 1t was built, but while It stands 1t will be eVi
| dence to many succeeding generations O
| the love and reverence OF this generation 10
the name and fame OF George Washington
first In war. first I'm peace and first in tn
hearts OF his Countrymen. More even thai
nrntntHnn inHnnOO
and patriotism Tor I'LL lands aud all time.
The Marine Band then played a shor
piece OF music, which was rendered al
most inaudible by the continual stampin:
and shiyering of the open air audience
Prayer was offered by Rev. Mr.. Luter o
Christ Church, Alexandria, Va.
Mr.. w. w. Corcoran then read an ad
dress in which he described at length tn
part taken in the initiation OF the projeC
and construction of the monument b.
the Washington Monument society, an
in conclusion said:
at is glory enough for the Washingto
Monument Society that its pious labors, a
put to the proof of time, have issued in til
majestic structure which stands before U
to day, and 1t Is glory enough for the legisla
tive and the executive departments of tn
the completion of the monument, on III
foundation laid by the people, they have {
once redeemed sacred National pledge an
fulfilled sacred National duty by giving I
this great obelisk elimination and a crow
with which 1t towers Oblve earth and soal
Heavenward, like the fame it commend
rates"
The remarks of the various speaker
were inaudible, but puffs of steam frol
their mouths was evidence that the pre-
ceedings were being carried on accorI
ing TO the programme, and at every lit
intermission the auditors stamped al
3 provingly.
4 MASONIC CEREMONIES.
The Masonic ceremonies by the Gran
Lodge of the District OF Columbia, whiC
then followed, were brief The prop,
; functionaries declared that the squar
the level and the plumb had been apple
TO the obelisk, and that its corners wei
found to be square; its courses level an
its walls skilfully erected according
the plan. Grand Master Myron
Parker scattered corn and poured o.
wine and oil, the emblems of nouris
Q ment, refreshment and ioy, and in Il