Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-12-11

At12:95 the governors Of states who came 10
this city yesterday to hold conference on the
cente ,ai monument to be erected in Phila.
deiphia arrived on the floor. Governor Green
OF New Jersey and the venerable silvery-locked
Bggs OF Delaware were at the head Of the
column. Governor Lee Of Virginia brought up
the rear. After little delay, caused by the
trouble consequent upon moving a few men,
| bers of the House, the governors and repre-
| sentatives Of governors were given seats in the
rear row, about equally divided among repub-
hcsns and democrats. Gov. Lee unex-
pected visitor. for a great many supposed he
had gone TO attend the Jefferson Davis obse-
quies. few uniforms had appeared on the
hoor and couple of Coreans, gaudIy
attired, had been conducted to seats when the
House at I2;45 was declared 10 be in session to
receive the honored guests. There quite a
crush OF visitors at the doorway just then. aud
out or the crowd came Gen. Schofeld and
Comm ''s;saers Douglass, Hine, and Raymond.
notified that they must yield up the
greater majority of their seats to
Senators and other distinguished visitors so
when the time arrived they retired, first care
fully locking their desks. That left a huge
semi-circle of seats five deep, the front row
composed of leather-upholstered chairs and
sofas. The interstate commerce commission
stood in the main aisle for some time before .
place was found for them.
TIE PRESIDENT AsD HIS CABINET.
Hardly had they got out of the way before
Assistant Doorkeeper Nichols announced The
President of the United States and his cabinet"
Every person on the DOR immediately arose
and remained standing until Speaker Reed
raped once with his gayeL Hardly had they
sat down, however, before Mr.. Nichols called
out The chief Of the Supreme Court Of the
United States and associate Justices" That
brought the crowd TO its feet at once, and they
remained standing until everybody was in.
The next arrival. also duly announced, was the
Vice President, and behind him
was strung out the Senate Gen. Schofeld was
accompanied by Gen. Rosecyans and an aid.
Gen. Schofeld's uniform was all right, but il
was nothing like SO brilliantly new the one
in which Gen. Rosecrans resplendent Tho
diplomatic corps. headed by Mr.. Walker Blaine,
added much brilliancy to the general effect
and the international American conference
and the marine conference. The latter body
brought up the rear of the procession and oc-
cupied every one of the few seats not already
taken possession of.
THE CEREMONIES BEGUN.
Then Vice President Morton called the as
semblage to order and announced prayer by
Rev. j. G. Butler, chaplain of the Senate. The
petition concluded with the Lords prayer in
which Postmaster General Wanamaker audibly
joined.
The Mariae band, which was stationed in the
Speakers lobby, struck up "Hail Columbia," {"
as soon as the prayer was over, and several OF
the foreign diplomats saw fit to applaud the air
by patting their gloved hands together.
Vice President Morton arose when the last
strains of the inspiring air had died away and
introduced Chief Justice Fuller, the orator Of
the occasion.
1t was l:2O when the chief justice began his
address from the clerks desk. He read the
GRAFTON, holding the manuscript in both hands,
but his delivery was easy and his voice was
clear and musical. Every word he said could
be heard throughout the crowded hall,
and strong oratorical expression was given
to what he said by the clear infections Of his
voice. 1t was his first appearance an orator
in the national arena and he acquitted himself
with distinction. Marked attention was given,
not only by the guests in the hall but by the
people in the galleries The President leaned
forward in his chair with one hand on the arm
and listened with close attention.
The Orat ion.
The chief Justices oration was q psychoIoei.
cal study of Washington, giving q clear insight
into his character, motives and impulses. ss
they influenced the formation of this eovern-
ment Without attempting to review the drv
detail facts OF history, he gave q recital of the
life OF Washington when it was one with the
young life of the nation, treating of the senti-
ments and conditions Of the times that gave
olrth 70 this free government and of Washing
toms sympathy with the spirit of freedom and
the capacity Of mind to grasp and comprehend
sAe Saeos PoceiDLlties OF tne future. de gave
q portrayal Of the character Of Washington
which gave new force to the attributes ascribed
70 MN; First in war, first in peace, and first
In the hearts of his countrymen."
WHY WASHINGTON WAS FIRST.
washington" he said, ''had become frst In
war, not SO much by reason Of victories over
the enemy, though he had won such, or OF
success in strategy, though that had been his'
as Of the triumphs Of . constancy which no re-
verse, hardship, no incompesency, no
treachery, could shake or overcome.
.And because the people comprehended the
greatness of their leader and recognized in
him an entire absence of personal ambition, an
absolute obedience TO convictions OF duty, an
- Js~onDd p,.u d