The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1885-02-25
THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT.
Its Dedication Ceremonies Performed In
an atmosphere of Almost Arctic
Chilliness.

DOIe suRgesUOn OF us ArcuC origin, the Sprlnk-
ling OF ticket bearers who began to fill up the seats
OF the grand stand at the base OF the Washington
Monument at 10 o'clock this morning. did not ap-
pear to be bent upon pleasure, but with their up
turned collars. mufiled chins, and quick nervous
movements seemed as il inspired by stern sense
OF duty alone.
The first distinguished arrived was an old
gentleman with white hair, whose firm, cut
features bewrsyed possible relationship to the
father OF his country. Tickets I am one of
Wsshingtons kindred, but l will show my
ticket" It was Ebenezer Burgess Ball. of London
County, Virginia. MY grandmother" he said
twas George WashingtOn's niece"
The military ar ed betimes the brass bands
were marsh allied .ieir places, the troops come
rest, ana Senator Sh,rmsn, Chairman of the Joint
Congressional Commission, from the center of the
stand ct IL O'Clock called about SEQ people to
order, and said something about the people keep.
ing their hats on. These remarks we're greeted
wlth lively stamps, for the opportunity was good
restore circulation 10 chilled lin bs and ex-
tremiiies Senator sherman then proceeded to
spesk as follows:
The commission authorized by the two Houses
OF Congress TO provide suitable ceremonies for the
dedication of the Washington Monument direct
me to preside and to announce the order of cere-
monies deemed roper on this occasion. / need
not say anything to impress upon you the dignity
OF the event you have met to celebrate. The
monument speaks for itself. Simple in form, ad
mira BILE in proportion, composed of enduring
marble and granite. resting upon foundations
broad and deep, il rises into the skies higher
than any work OF human art. Ii is the most i'm
posing. costly and appropriate monument ever
erected in honor OF man. Ii has Its origin in the
profound conviction of the people, irrespective Of
party, creed or race, not only in this country Dat
~ a. tuos 20 auue anu laune
OF Washington ehould be psrpetuated by the
mos imposing testimonial of the Nations graft
tuoe 10 It's hero, statesman and father. This uni
yerf8l Fentim eDt TOOK form in q movement OF pri-
associated
Washington National Monument Association,
who. on the 5lst of January, 1S4S. secured from
Congress an set authorizing them TO erect the
proposed monument on this ground. selected as
the most appropriate site by the Presldent Of the
United States. It's corner stone was LAID the
attn OF or uly ISIS by the Masonic fraternity with
imposing ceremonies IN the presence Of the chief Of
fcers OF the Government and 8 multitude OF
Monument Associaiior with the means Furnished
by voluntary Contributions of the the people OF
the United States On the 5th OF J0lv 1876 one
hundred years after the declaration of American
Independence, CONGRESS, in the name of the peo-
pie OF the United States formally assumed aud d.
tected the completion o. the monument since
tnen tue foundation has been strengthened. the
shaft has been steadily advanced, and the now
completed structure stands before you. It is fit
memorial oil the greatest character 10 human
history. 1t looks down upon the see les
most loveo by, him on earth, the most
full OF objects deeply interesting 10
the American people. and all eyes turn to it; all
hearts feel the inspiration OF its beauty, symme-
VI and grandeur. Strong as 1t is, it will not
dure as long as the memory OF him in whose
honor 1t was built. But while ii stands II will be
the love and reverence of this generation for the
name snd fame Of George Washington, first IN
war first in peace, and first in the hearts OF his
of y n ano nd P os me oT @
ana all time. Without further preface proceed
TO discharge the duty assigned me
the Part taken in the initiation OF the
prOjeet and construction OF the monument
Society," and in conclusion said at is glory
enough for the Washington Monument Society,
that is pious labors. as put to the proof OF time
have issued In the majestic structure which
stands before us to-day, and ii was glory enough
for the legislative and executive departments OF
the GOVERNED that in sssuming ana directing
the completion of the monument on a foundation
laid by the people, they have at once redeemed q
sacred national pledge and have Untitled a sacred
elimination and crown with which it towers
above the earth. and scars heavenWard like the
fame it commentaries y
The Marine Band then PLAYED a short pIecs 81
music, which was rendered almost inaUdibie by
the continued stamping Of the shiveTing open air
audience. PRAYER was offered by Rev. Mr. Letter,
The remarks OF the various SPEAKERS we've inau-
dible, but puis Oh steam IRON their mouths was
evidence that the PROCEEDINGS were being carried
on according to proeramme. and At every little in
remission the auditors stamped approvingiy.
COLONEL CASEY PRESENTATION.
To Colonel Thomas L. Casey. Of the Uoited
senting the part taken by the general government
IN The construction OF the monument and OF de-
lveIing it TO tine President of the United States.
he gave account of the first proceedings in
Congress with view TO completing the InOnu-
ment, and described each successful step in the
construction of the work until the setting OF the
sai ti:O"S ""'''s' '"s 'e' u'e' 'AAi"S ne 'osl
Although the dimensions OF the Foundation
base were originally planned without due regard
TO the tremendous forces to be brought into play
in building so large an obelisk, the resources OF
modern engineering science have supplied the
means for the completion OF the greatest monu-
mental column ever erected in any age of the
world. In lis proportions the ratios OF dimen-
Si0DSOi the several parts OF the ancient Egyputu
obelisks have been carefully followed. The HEIGHT
has been made slightly greater than ten
ish that for grace and delicaey OF outline is not
excellsd by any OF the larger Egyptian mOnOliths,
while IN dignity and grandeur IT slTpasses any
ana in behalf of the joint commission for the
completion OF the Washington Monument, de-
liver TO you this column.
PRESIDENT ARTHUR RECEIVES THE MONUMENT.
President Arthur, in accepting the monument
Fellow Countrymen-Befor the dawn of the
century whose eventful years viii soon have faded
into the past. when death had but lately robbed
this Republic OF its most beloved and illustrious
citizen, the Congress of the United States pledged
Il faith of the Nation that in this city, oearin
his honOred name. and then, as now, the seat o
the General Government monument should be
erected to commemorate the great events OF his
Z
that stretches heavenward from the plain whereou
we sand bears witness 10 all who behold it, that
the covenant which our fathers made their chill
dren have fulfilled. In the compile
ton of this great work OF patriotic en-
deavor, there is abundant cause Tor ma
/ tional rejoicing, for while this structure
endures il shall be to all mankind a.strong token
of the a6ectonate and fervent regard in wnich.thi
/ people continue 10 hold the memory OF Was a
ineton. Well may he ever keep the foremost
I plsce in the hearts of his countrymen. The faith
/ that never feltered. the wisdom that was broader
snd deeper than any learning taught in schools
The courage that shrank from no peril and wa!
| dismayed by no defeat the loyalty that kept al
patriotism and honor the sagacity that displayed
Itself In camp and Cabinet alike, and, above all
! that harmonious union of moral and intellectual
| qualities which has never found Its parable
among men-theEe are the attributes OF a charac
ter which the intelligent thought OF this countr
sfcribes to the grandest figure OF history. la
other ana more eloquent lips than mine will 70
day Tehearse TO You the story OF his re
markable lie and its glorious active
menu To myself has been a.
signed the simpler and more formal duty in tn
United States. and in behalf OF the people, lt
ceives this monument from the HANDS OF II
builder, and declare it dedicated from this tim
forth to the immortal name and memory OF Georg
Washington.
The President read his address in firm toni
At it's conclusion cheers broke forth ana the
were hearty and prolonged.
MASONIC RITUAL AND ENBLENs.
The Masoric ceremonies OF the Grand Lodge {
the District OF Columbia, which then fouowee
nrip he declare