Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1885-02-25
Celebration Of the Completion of Ii
Washington National Monument.

pletion of the National monument erected
in his honor, took place on Saturday last,
the 21st.
The exercises were of an interesting
character. Prayer was offered at the base
of the monument by Rev. Mr.. Suter, of
Christ Church, Alexandria, Virginia-the
church in which Washington worshipped,
and few remarks were made by the ven-
cradle W. W. Corcoran, first vice-president
of the Washington National Monument
Association. After Masonic ceremonies by
the Grand Lodge of the District of Colum-
bia the monument was formally delivered
by Col. Casey, engineer Of the joint monu-
ment commission, to the President of the
United States. who then pronounced its
dedication to the memory of Washington.
A procession, composed of military and 9TH
er organizations, was then formed. After
the firing of salute IF ono hundred guns
it moved from the monument grounds to
the Capitol, where it was reviewed by Pres
ident Arthur. In the Hall of the House OF
Representatives interesting exercises were
held, and an Grafton written by Hon. Rob-
ert G. Winthrop, of Massachusetts,, was
read by Hon. John D. Long. Hon. John
W. Daniel, of Virginia, then delivered his
splendid Grafton, which, it is sufficient to
say. was worthy of that great occasion, ana
which concluded as follows:
"When Marathon had been fought and
Greece kept free, each of the victorious
generals voted himself to be first in honor,
but all agreed that Miltiades was second.
When the most memorable struggle for
the rights of human nature, of which
time holds record, was thus happily
concluded in the imminent of their pres.
ervation, whoever else was second, unani-
nous acclaim declared that Washington
was first. Nor in that struggle alone does
he stand foremost. In the name of the
people of the United States-their presi-
and their Judges do crown to-day with the
grandest crown that veneration has ever
lifted to the brow of glory. him whom Vir-
ginia gave to America-whom America
has given to the world, and to the ages
and whom mankind with universal suffrage
has proclaimed the fore most of the founders
of empire in the first degree of greatness,
whom Liberty has Amounted as the first
citizen in the great republic of humanity.
Encompassed by the inviolate seas stands
to-day the American republic which he
founded free Greater Britain-uplifted
above the powers and principalities of the
earth, even as his monument is uplif ed
over roof and dome and spire of the multi
tudinous city.
Long live the Republic of Washington
Respected by mankind, beloved of all its
sons, long may it be the asylum of the poor
and oppressed of all lands and religions
long may it be the citadel of that Liberty
which writes beneath the Eagles folded
wings: we will sell to no man, we will
deny to no man, Right and Justice
Long live the United States of America!
Filled with the free, magnanimous spirit,
crowned by the wisdom, blessed by the
moderation, lowered over by the guardian
angel of Washington's example may they be
ever worthy in all things to be defended
by the blood of the brave who know the
rights of Inan-may they be each col
umn, and all together, under the Constitu-
ton, a perpetual Temple of Peace, un-
Swallowed by Caesars palace; at whose
the Union of Liberty and Brotherhood.
the undying ages may it stand, far removed
in fact as in space from the Old World
feuds and follies-solitary and alone in its
grandeur and it's glory, itself the immortal
monument CT him whom Providence COM
missioned to teach man the power of Truth,
and to prove to the nations that their Re-
deemer liveth !"
Hon. Robert c. Winthrop concluded his
admirable Grafton as follows:
"But let the date be what it may, the in
spiration of the centennial anniversary of
that first great Inauguration must not be
lost upon US Would that any words of
mine could help US all, old and young, to
resolve that the principles and character
and example of Washington, as he came
forward to take the oath of office on that
day, april Both, 1882 shall once more be
recognized and reverenced as the model for
all who succeed him, and that his disinter-
ested purity and patriotism shall be the
supreme test and standard of American
craftsmanship. That standard can never
be taken away from us. The most elabo-
rate and durable monuments may perish;
but neither the forces of nature nor any
fiendish crime Of man can ever mar or mu-
tilate great example of public or private
virtue.
"Our matchless obelisk stands proudly
before us to-day. and we hail it with the
Civilizations of a united and glorious nation.
1t may, or may not, be proof against the
cavils of critics, but nothing of human
construction is against the casualties of
time. The storms of winter must blow
and beat upon it. The action of the ele-
ments must soil and discolor it. The light
nings of Heaven may scar and blacken it.
An earthquake may shake it's foundations.
Some mighty tornado, Or resistless cyclone,
may rend its massive blocks asunder and
hurl huge fragments to the ground; but
the character which it commentaries and
illustrates is secure. 1t will remain un-
changed and Interchangeable in all its con-
summate purity and splendor, and will
more and more command the homage of
succeeding ages in all regions of the earth.
God be praised, that character is ours
foreverv"
HE HAD THREE DOZEN CHILDREN
Pdssaic, February 16.-Eforts are being
made to give President Cleveland pleas
ant surprise on Inauguration day. The 700
descendants of Msrtin H. Blanchard, who
died in Bloomingdale, this county, last
| month, aged ninety -four, propose to attend
the inauguration in body and ask for a
place of honor in the line of march. In
| 1905, when Mr.. Blanchard was fourteen
years of age, he was married to Miss Sarah
Beach, daughter of John Beach, who was
brother of Benjamin Beach, of the Beach
Glen Iron Works His first child, a daugh-
ter, who was born when he was fif; cen
years old, was named Elizabeth, and she
married Henry Vanderhoof, who died last
year at Denville, aged eighty-four years.
When Martin was sixteen years and six
| months old he hecame the father of twins