Daily Kennebec journal., 1885-02-23
the WASHINGTON MONUMENT,
Thousands Witness the Dedication
Ceremonies and Participate
in the Parade.
FITTING Tribute to the Memory of the
Father OF His Country.
WASHINGTON. Feb. 2l,

OF the Washington monument at 10 O'Clock
this morning did not appear to be bent upon
pleasure, but with their upturned collars.
! muffied chins and quick, nervous movements
they seemed as if inspired by strong sense
OF duty alone. The first distinguished arriv-
al was an old gentleman with long, white
hair, whose firm, clear-cut features betrayed
possible relationship TO the father of his
country, twas Ebenezer Busgess Ball of
London county, Va, whose grandmother. he
said, was George Washington's niece The
military arrived betimes, brass bands were
marshalled TO their places and troops came
to rest.
Senator Sherman, chairman of the Joint
Congressional commission, from the central
stand, at II o'clock. called about 500 people
To order and then proceeded to deliver the
opening address.
The Marine band then PLAYED short piece
OF music which was rendered almost inaudi-
ble by the stamping of the shivering. open
air audience.
Prayer was offered by Rev. Mr. Suter of
Christ church, Alexandria, Va, and DR. j.
Z. yelling, president of the Columbian
University, thereupnn read the address pre-
pared by W. w. Corcoran,to whom had been
assigned the honor of presenting the part
taken IN the construction of the monument
by the Washington monument society. of
which be is the first vice president The
Masonic ceremonies of the Grand Lodge of
the District of Columbia, which then fol-
lowed, were brief
The proper functionartes declared that the
square, the level and the plumb had been
applied to the obeish, and the corners were
found to b. square, its courses level. aud its
walls skillfulIy erected, according to the
plan. Gr0nd Master Mvron VI Parker then
scattered corn and poured wine and oil, en-
blems of nourlshment, refinement and 10Y,
and IN the course of the mysterious ceremo-
MES, brought into use certain historical rel
les with which General Washington was in
timalelv connected. The gavel which was
prepared for and used by Gen Washington
as Grand Master pro ten. in laying the cor
ner stone of the National Capitol on the 18th
of September, 1913; the sacred volume be =
longing to Fredericksburg Lodge No of
Virginia, upon which Washington first took
! the vows of Masonry; that belonging to St.
John Lodge No. |. Of the city of New York,
upon which on the thirueth of April, 1879,
he took the oath of Office as first president of
the United States. the Great Light belonging
| to Alexandria Washington Lodge. No. %, of
Alexandria, Va, upon which he, as Worship,
full Master, received the vows of initiates
the apron worn by him, which was worked by
Madrme A. Lafayette, a golden urn contain
! ing lock of his hair, belonging to the Grand
Lodge of Massachusetts. The Lesser Light,
one of the three sperm candles borne in
Washngten's funeral procession, were ex-
hibited.
Col. Casey, U. S. A., presented the monu-
ment to the government.
President Arthur was presented with
rounds of hearty chesrs. He read his re-
marks from manuscript in clear, strong
voice, to which the audience listened more
eagerly than to any other speaker. The as
semblage broke into cheers at its conclusion.
The military wheeled into line, the civic
bodies and distinguished participants in the
proceedings of the day sought their car.
riages, and the procession, under the
msrshal-hip of Gen. Sheridan, took up its
| line of march to the capitol.
Crossing the monument grounds to l1tf
street. the procession turned into Pennsyl-
vania Avanue at the State, war and navy de-
partments building, and proceeded to the
cepitol. Pennsylvania Avenue presented a
brilliant scene during the progress of the pa
gent. thousand of people lined the side
walks and occupied the grand stands that had
been erected on all of the reservations along
the line of march. Many buildings were
handsomely decorated with flags and long
lines of coored bunting.
Several of the organizations were cheered
at various points on the route because OF
their fine marching and military bearing
The President was greeted with cheers as he
rode in an open barouche with Secretary
Frelnghuysen and Marshal McMichel
Among the visiting organizations were a
number of Knights Templar organization.
from New jersey, Maryland, Virginia, New
| ~, h.la
Carolina, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts,
The ranks of each of these lodges were
thinned considerable by the cold weather
All wore their full regalia and presented a
fine appearance. Bands of music were dis
tributed literally throughout the divisions
Secretaries McColloch and Lincoln were
in one carriage, Postmaster General Ha,ton il
another and Secretary Chandler and Attorne,
General Brewster in another.
Senators Sherman and Bayard occupied
the same carriage The procession did not
reach the east front of the Capitol. where it
was reviewed by the President, until quarter
past one.
The review continued until two O'Clock
when the President and Cabinet repaired t.
the Presidents room at the Capitol, wher,
they took a luuch before proceeding to th,
House of Representatives.
III tie bati Va thc AAodsN vi hcpFcstHld
tives, Hon John ID. Long, of Massachusetts,
proceeded to read the address of Mr.. Win
ti'rop.
The ceremonies were concluded by bril-
lact display Of fireworks in the evening il
the monument groupds. An i'm mense crowt
was attracted by the sight and it se emed as i
the entire population of the city bad turned
out 10 do honor to the occasion.
The grounds and streets leading thereto
were thronged with people and the roadwa,
around the monument was thronged Will
carriages of ali descriptions.
A number of prominent persons were il
attendance at the grounds and number OF
invited guests, including several officers,
viewed the scene from the windows of tn,
White House. The south windows of tn,
State and treasury department buildings wer,
also used as places of observation by larg,
numbers of persons. The display wa
closed with the representation of the Temple
of Liberty, including also an equestrian
OF Gen. Washington, and figures represent
ing Columbur and tine Goddess of Liberty
Telescope rockets which exploded at an alti
tude of 600 feet and discharged showers OF
smaller rockets over the apex of the monu
ment, making it appear as though the shat
was rooted with fire were discharged. Tn.