The Osceola times., 1885-02-28

coIoNrL CAsEY's PRESENTATION sPEECh'
To Colonel Thomas L. Casey, OF tne
United States Engineers, was assigned tne
duty of presenting the part taken oy tne
general government In the construction
of the monument and Of delivering II 10
the President of the United States. lie
gave an account first Of the proceedings
in Congress with view to the completion
of the monument, and described each
successive step in the construction OF inc
work until the setting OF the cap-stohe
finished the great undertaking and then
said:
nAIthouph the dimensions OF the founda.
tion base were originally planned without
due regard to the TREMENDOUS lotce W an an
brought into play in Duliulhg SO iaiTS
ohelisk. the resources of modern engineer.
ing science have supplied the means LOT tne
completion of the grandest monunenttaa'
column ever erected in any age oil tne woiiu'
In its proportions the ratios OF ul,nv nvn.
sons OF several parts OF the ancient EgyP-
tian obelisks have been carefully ioioweu.
The entire height has been made siign'y
greater than ten times the breadth oi tne
base producing an obeisk that for grace ana
delicacy OF outline Is not exceled by any OF
the larger Egyptian monoiiths, whie IN ois
nifty and grandeur surpsses pe ,ar ars and aa in be-
half OF the Joint commission for the eonpie
tion OF the Washington monument aen'er
to you this column.
President Arthur was greeted with
round of hearty cheers and the audience
| listened more eagerly to his remarks tnah
to the words of any other speaker. Inc
President in accepting the monument
said:
FELLOW CoUSTRYMES-Beforet the az uawn o,
the century, whose eventful years viii soon
| have faded into the past, when death hau
but lately robbed this republic OF ns nlos.
beloved and illustrious citizen, the Cong'ess
| of the United states pledged thelfaitn OF the
| Nation that In this city, bearing MS nonoreu
| name, and then, as now. the seat OF the gen.
| erai government, monument snoulu pe
erected to commemorate the greht e'em.s T
| OF his military and political lfe. Inc
| stately column that stretches neavenwaru
| from the plain whereon we stand bears VIZ
| ness to ali who behold II, that the covenant
| which our fathers made their children mas
| been fulfilled. In the completion Of this
| great work Of patriotic eHdeavor there Is
abundant cause Tor National rejoicing, ior
! while this structure shall endure 1t shall be
| to all mankind a steadfast token OF the AZ
| fectionate and reverend regard in wnicn thls
| people continue to hold the memory OF
Washington. Well may he be kept In the
| foremost place in the hearts of his country.
| men. The faith that never iaitereu tue
wisdom that was broader anu deeper 'nsn
| any learning TAUGHT in the schools; the
| courage that shrank from no peril ana
| was dismayed by no defeat, the loyalty
that kept all selfish purpose subordlnate 20
| the demands OF patriotism and honor, tne
| sagacity that displayed Itself in the camp
and Cabinet alike, and above all, thnt mar
monious union OF moral aud intenectuai
| qualities which has never found It's parhi
| lei among men, these are the attributes
| OF character which the inteiligent
thought ofthis century ascribes to the grand
| est figure OF the last. But other and more elo-
| quent lips that mine will to day rehearse TO
| you the story OF his noble life and Its glorious
| achieveme nts. To myself has been assigned q
| fpr.. nj dnfN
ment OF which do now, AS President OF the
| United States, and IN behalf OF the people.
receive the monument from the hands OF rs
builder, and declare II dedicated iroin tnis
time forth to the immortal name anq mem
| ory OF George Washington.
The President read his address In .
| firm, clear tone, and at its conclusion
cheers broke forth and were hearty and
prolonged.
IMPRESSIVE AND INTERESTING.
| This programme was hurriedly gone
through with, owing to the uncomfortable
cold. Nobody seemed disposed to delay
the proceedings for all had red noses and
cold toes. Nevertheless the exercises
were interesting and impressive, es-
pecially those conducted by the Masonic
| fraternity. The procession from the
monument to the Capitol was great
success. Both sides OF Pennsylvania
avenue were thckly lined with people,
aud the windows of all the buildings were
filed with faces of spectators. The
magnificent street was never more
magnificent. People forgot their red
noses and cold toes in watching the mill
tary procession and listening to the fine
music of some of the finest bands In
the country. Two hours were spent on
the march from the monument TO the
stand on the east front OF the capitol,
where the procession was reviewed by the
President. Ten thousand people were
gathered there to see this review, and II
was fine sight. OF all the military
companies the Detroit Light Infantry oi
Michigan, and the Governors Foot Guard
of Connecticut received chief praise, and
caused the liveliest enthusiasm by their
splendid marching and appearance.
IN THE HALL.
The scene In the hall OF the House was
exceedingly interesting and impressive.
The desks of the members had all
been removed and chairs were thickly
placed in semi circular rows-enough to
accommodate comfortably nearly one
thousand persons. BY 80 O'Clock the
members of the House were In the seats
assigned TO them. At a quarter past two
O'Clock Mr.. Carlisle took the Speakers
chair, and soon thereafter the Washing
ton Monument Commissioners, the ven-
cradle w. W. Corcoran, George Bancroft
and Admiral Rodgers, were announced.
They were loudly applaudcd as they took
their seats In front OF the Speakers desk.
Next came officers of the army and navy
In uniform and the Governors OF several
States and members of their staffs. Next
General Sheridan, who was loudly cheered
as he passed down the aisle. Next came
President Arthur and Cabinet. The
President was received with marked
enthusiasm. Then the diplomatic corps
IN court dress and the Supreme Court in
their gowns. Finally came the Senate,
headed by Edmunds and Secretary Nc
Cook, arm-in.arm, followed by ex-Vice-
President Hannibal Hamln and ex-Vice-
President pro. TEN. David Davis, and
then members OF the Senate in twos.
Iamlin and Davis were assigned seats in
the row with the President and Secretary
of State, Immediately In front of the
Speakers desk. Senator Edmunds pre-.
sided over the joint meeting.
THE SPEAKING.
This was fine audience for the orators
Of the day. The occasion and the audi
cnce were a rare inspiration. 1t was
much regretted that Robert c. Winthrop
was unable to be present But his ad-
mirable Grafton was admirably read by
Governor Long, of Massachusetts. The
reading was frequently interrupted by en-
thuslastic applause. At one point
Mr. Winthrop referred in complimentary
terms TO George Bancroft. The
entire audience broke forth in cheers and
the venerable hiteheaded, white beard
ed historian graceiully received the com.