The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1886-08-20
dwelling the DeKalb Statue.

ceremonies, on Monday, August 10th, the
1OGth anniversary his death. Eight hundred
Masons, from various parts of the State, in
GLIDING the Grand Lodge and Knights Temp
lar, went down on the steamer Maryland,
from Baltimore, and took prominent part
in the affair The Fifth Regiment and other
military organizations of the city and State
were also present About 1000 persons in
all, visited Annapolis on this occasion. Secre-
tary of State Bayard, Gov. Lloyd, and many
other prominent persons were also on the
spot.
The Grand Lodge of Masons of Maryland,
under the direction of the grand master, Gen.
Thos j. Shryock, executed the beautiful
Masonic ritual of unwilling the statue. The
sculptor, Mr.. Ephraim Keyser, of Baltimore,
then presented the statue to Secretary of
State Bayard. The latter received it with an
eloquent speech, which was greeted with
great applause. q,
Mr.. George Savage then read poem COM
posed for the occasion by Prof. ]. Fl. Hewett,
and Col. J. Thos. g. Scharf delivered an in
teresting address.
The statue was ordered by the Cont
mental Congress of 1880 to be erected to the
illustrious foreigner who died in freedoms
cause The resolution directed that the
monument should bear this epitaph, which
tells succinctly his claims to the gratitude Of
our country:
'Sacred to the memory of Baron DeKalb,
Knight of the Royal Order of Military Merit,
Brigadier of the Armies of France, and jor
General in the service of the United States of
America. Having served with honor and repu-
tation for three years, heg gave last and glorious
proof OF his attachment to the liberties of man.
kind and the cause of America in the action near
Camden, South Carolina, on the 10th of August,
1880, where, leading on the troops of the Mary
land and Delaware lines against superior num-
bers, and animating them by his example to
deeds of valor, he was pierced with many
wounds; and on the 10Th following expired in
the 4Sth year of his age. The Congress of the
United States of America, in gratitude to his
zeal, service and merit, have erected this monu-
ment."
COL Schari gave graphic account of the
battle Of Camden, in which the brave Baron
lost his life. Gen. Gates militia were routed
by Cornwallis's veterans, leaving the brunt OF
the battle 10 be borne by the Marylanders,
who were the best drilled and disciplined
troops of the revolutionary forces. DeKalb,
at the head of these brave young men, tried
in vain to retrieve the fortunes of the
day. Says Col. Scharf:
"The little band, hardly numbering four hun.
bred men, advanced into the jaws of battle with
unwavering front upon four times their num-
Der of the best troops of the invading army, in
famed with all the pride of successful combat.
Artillery plowed their fast-thinning ranks with
the awful bolts of war; infantry poured its vol
leys of musket balls upon them, and from their
atlnks the British cavalry sent swift messengers
Of death into many manly forms. Still above
the roar of cannon, musketry, rifles and the
clash of sabres, was heard the shout of the brave
De Kalb, 'Close up! Close upn and again the
staggering yet unflinching files, now grown
fearfully thin, drew together and turned their
stern young faces to their country's foe."
At last, shattered and torn, they were
overwhelmed by the British army and COM
PEELED to retreat, their gallant leader wound.
ed to death.
Personally" added COL Scarf, "DeKalb
was man of towering proportions, rudy
complexion, sedate and philosophic in his
temperament, abstemious in his habits, and as
soldier was prudent and safe rather than
brilliant. His grave at Camden, s. c., is
marked by monument, erected by the citi.
zens and his Masonic brethren in 1926, its
cornerstone being laid by Lafayette, during
his Southern tour, on March 10th of that
year. 1t is peculiarly appropriate, therefore
that the solemn and interesting ceremony OF
unwilling this monument should be perform.
ed by his Masonic brethren. He whose name
is to make it agreat national landmark
for all future time was Freemason.-
The fraternity of Freemasons can recur, with
proud satisfaction, to our revolutionary
struggle, when they remember that every
general officer of the American armies save
one, l believe was Freemason, and that
was Benedict Arnold, the traitor"
The statue is of bronze and represents De
Kalb as leaning forward, his right foot in ad.
vance, his face turned to the left, his right
hand waving sword above his head, as il
rallying the American troops against the
enemy.
A Commissioner Sent to Mexico.
Mr.. A. G. Sedgwick, New York lawyer,
who understands Spanish well, has been sent
to Mexico by Senator Bayard, in order to
get the exact facts upon which our contro-
versy with that country hinges. Secretary
Bayard based his demand for the release OF
Cutting upon the version of the case given to
him by the United States consul at Ell Paso
and by the Mexican minister at Washington
This was that Cutting was tried and con-
demned solely for an act performed on
American soil. Now the Mexicans, seeing
that their position is untenable, say that Cut.
ting was convicted for al offence commenced
in Mexico, continued in the United States
and completed in Mexico, the libel upon bis
rival editor being one act from beginning to
end. The records of the court, If not altered
may show whether this is true or not. At any
rate, the charge brought by Republican news
papers that Secretary Bayard acted preci-
pitately is unjust. If the Mexican and the
United States officials did not state the case
correctly, no blame is to be attached to Mr..
Bayard. He deserves praise for the readiness
he has shown to protect the honor and dignity
of his country. The Mexican government
also, will see that they must abandon the
absurd position they have taken that they
may arrest and try American citizens in
Mexico for alleged offences committed in
other countries. If Secretary Bayard had no,
FASTENED to protect the rights ofan American
citizen, in the fierce clutches of the Mexicans
these same Republican newspapers would
have censured him for his inertness and COW.
ardice.
DIR. Shaw's Chances.
In an interview with Hon. Frank T. Shaw
of the second Maryland congressional dis
trict, on the campaign now going on in this
district. DR.. Shaw said to a representative OF