Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-09-03
LAYING THE BIG STONE.
GEN. LAYTON DELIVERS A PA
TRIOTIC ADDRESS.


An Eloquent Speech by Grand Master
Davidson-GOv. Mcdaniel and all the
State Dignitaries in tends on
the Exercises-An Imposing Parade
Through the Building.
ATLANTA. Sept. 2.-The ceremonies OF
laying the corner stone of the new capitol
passed off smoothly, and proved most in
teresting. At 8 o'clock the Legislature
met in joint session in the hall OF the
House of Representatives, and an houF
later formed "a line in front Of the CAPITOL
on Marietta street. soon after the line
was formed, the Grand Lodge OF the state,
escorted by subordinate lodges from all
portions Of Georgia, and the knights rem
plar of Atlanta, appeared upon the
ground and were assigned positions in the
liue. The Masonic strength was estimat-
ed at 1000. and made a fine impression.
START OF HI PROCESSION.
About the same hour Gov. Mcdaniel,
The state House officers, the judiciary OF
the state, and other persons OF promi-
hence took their place in the procession,
and the line Of march was taken up.
When the column reached the new CAPT
tol the line was opened up, and the Grand
Lodge passed through to the platform,
followed by the Chief Executive, the
Capitol Commissioners. the visiting
lodges and the Legislature. The platform
was found insufficient to hold
the organizations and those who
could not be supplied with seats on IT
formed about the stand, and made them
selves as comfortable as possible. The
crowd was estimated at fully 1000 peO-
pie. Prayer was offered by Rev. william
Anderson. OF Cobb county, after which
Gov. Mcdaniel presented the building to
the Legislature for the purpose OF laying
the cornerstone.
RECEIVED BY MR. MITCHELL.
1t was received in the name Of the Gen
eral Assembly by Senator Robert Mitch
ell, Chairman Of the joint committee On
public property, who introduced to the
audience Gen. Alexander Il. Lawton. the
orator Of the day, who delivered the ora
ton. At the conclusion Of Gen. Lawton's
address Senator Mitchell, in the name Of
the State of Georgia, made a formal re-
quest Of senator Davidson, as Grand
Master of the State, to lay the corner
stone. After having accepted the trust
the Grand Master proceeded in the usual
manner, with the assistance of the GrGnd
Lodge officers, to lay the cornerstone
with Masonic tormalities.
THE GRAND MASTERS ADDRESS.
At the conclusion OF the ceremony a
short address was delivered by Grand
Master Davidson. He expressed his APP
probation of the peculiar circumstances
under which he addressed the large as
sembly, who have patiently and in good
order borne the ordeal of the extended and
interesting exercises, and said that he
should, therefore, out Of regard for the
%prOprieties Of the occasion, cOnhne him.
self to the duties imposed by the
nature Of his position. He
said that it devolved upon him to declare
that the Institutions OF Masonry, whose
ceremonies had been called into exercise,
was the most honorable Of organizations,
that its members were pledged to assist
In the erection of the magnificent build
ing, to obey the laws of their country, to
advance all benevolent enterprises, and to
teach a becoming reliance upon a SUI
preme Being.
A PATRIOTIC THRILL,
He said that as citizens Of the common
wealth they felt a patriotic thrill when
viewing the rich possibilities which at
tached 10 the present occasion. He then
presented a picture OF Georgia's future
and glory, and in closing his remarks ex-
pressed the hope that as a result of the
present prosperity of the State. and to adj
vance in material, intellectual and pOliti-
cal affairs the immortal promise of one of
Georgia's gifted IONS, who, though lost to
her keeping was yet held In her honor,
might soon be realized, and which promise
told our people:
Long as thiue art shall love true love.
Long as thy science truth shall know,
Long as thine eagle harms no dove,
Long as thy law by law shan grow,
Long as thy God is God above,
Thy brother every man below,
So long, dear land. OF all my love,
Thy name shall shine, thy anne shall grow.
The corner stone is a block of Georgia
marble, with handsome aud beautiful
polish, and weighs about 1900 pounds. 1t
is said to be the finest and largest corner
stone ever laid in the South.