St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-02-23
Steps Taken to Erect a Monu-
ment to Perpetuate Their
Memory.
Representative Gathering Of
Congressman and State
Authorities.
Nearly a Full Representation
From the Thirteen Orig
inal States.
Fitting Recognition Of the
Principles and Achieve
ments Of Patriots.

PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 22.-The initial
steps towards the erection of memorial
to perpetuate the memory of the events
leading to the foundation Of the United
States government were taken in this
city to-day, in the presence and with
the cooperation of a large and repre-
sentative gathering of congressman and
state authorities. The members of con-
gress who participated i'll the prepare
tory movement to-day arrived in the
city lasteyening, and this morning they
assembled in parlor G of the CONT
mental hotel. The gathering was a
notable one, including nearly full
representation from the thirteen origi-
nal states. and scattering representa-
tiVes from the others. The visitors
were taken charge of by an executive
committee of citizens, assisted by an
auxiliary committee OF city councilmen.
Some time was spent in social chatting,
and shortly after 10 o'clock Gen. FL. I'll.
Bingham called for order, and nomi-
mated ex-Gov. Green, of New Jersey, as
CHAIRMAN OF TIE OCCASION.
Gov, Green welcomed the visitors on
behalf of the executive committee of
governors appointed by the thirteen
states. He briefly outlined the in
auguration of the movement to COM
memorate the establishment of the con-
stitution. He said he congratulated
himself that so large q representation of
the states had put in an appearance. A
committee of the governors and other
representatives of the thirteen states
was appointed to present memorial
bill to congress with the view of per-
n al
ing events of the last century and the
early stages of the nations life. He in
vited the members of congress to visit
the scenes OF these early events, SO
memorable in history; First, Carpen-
ter'S hall, where the first continental
congress sat, and where the early frame
work of the constitution was adopted;
next, independence hall, the old cradle
of liberty. and next, the site in Fair
mount Park where it is proposed
to erect the memorial. President
Gates, of the select committee, in the
absence of Mayor Filter, then formally
welcomed the visitors to the city. After
these ceremonies a column was formed
by twos and the procession, headed by eX-
Gov. Green, who was governor OF New
jersey at the time of the constitutional
centennial celebration in 1887, and Gov.
Laid, of Rhode Island, marched from
the hotel to Carpenters hall, OIL Chest
nut street, below Fourth, q little over
five blocks. AS each member of the
congressional delegation passed under
the historic roof, he removed his. hat
with
A DISPLAY OF vENERATIoN.
The chairs in the old hall were not
sufficient to seat all those who eame,an
after the congressman were seated
large portion of the asSemblage re-
manned standing. Gov. Green presided.
Richard K. Belts, the venerable actuary
of the building, was introduced and
made a shOlt speech of welcome on be-
half of the Carpenters company, Of
Philadelphia. He said that thirty years
ago it was his duty to welcome
on the same spot body called for the
purpose of erecting monument to the
signerS of the Declaration of Independ-
ence. Rev. Charles WadswOrth Jr. in
voked divine blessing, after which
Hampton l.. Carson delivered the for
NAL welcoming address. Mr.. Carson, II
the course of his remarks, said: ''In
this hall were started the greatest ma
tional movements of this country. In
this hall, sanctified by the memories of
1774, were laid the foundation of gov
eminent, which, in its history of 100
years, has no parallel. Here upon this
floor the immortal Washington knelt in
prayer. Here within these walls John
Adams, Peyton Randolph, and the other
early patriots, heard the wrongs of the
people and set about repairing them.
They have given US government for
the protection of all men, irrespective
of class or creed. And so we have met
to-day TO take the initial steps toward
erecting monument to commemorate
these patriots and those great principles.
The time is fitting and the place is fit
ting" In closing, Mr.. Carson turned
to Hon. G. r. Breckenridge, of Arkan-
sas, great grandson of DIR. John Wither-
spoon, New Jersey signer of the
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE,
and said. ITO You Sir-wOrthy descend
ant of an iluStrious sire-one of those
immortal few whose names can never
fade from the scroll of history. because
attached to that great declaration which
proclaimed our national independence
to you and your fellow representatives
bid you, in the name of our citizens
and the Carpenters company, welcome
to this historic hall. May your labors
and deliberations be eminently success
full" Congressman Breckenridge made
a fitting reply. 1--WE are heartily appre-
ciative," he said, ''of the cordial wei
come which you have extended TO us,
and we are heartily i'll sympathy with
the people of this historic city in the
purposes they have i'll view in connec~
ton with this gathering" Continuing,
he spoke OF the nations whose bulwarks
were founded upon force. ''lt was not
so with u.s." he added. 'Our country,
our government, was founded on equal
ity and justice to all. These are the prin-
ciples which we should keep fresh
in our minds. While we celebrate
the achievements of our patriots and
sing their praises, let US not in this
movement overlook the Importance of
the principles which inspired them. Let
US elevate those principles for which
we established our government; let us
make known the objects and principles
for which our government exists. Let
them be around your memorial hall or
monument, SO that they may be kept
plainly before the eyes of the public.
In this way they will be made instru-
mental in shaping pOsterity and raising
| men like those who gave US his
PRICELESS Observation-Disclosures.
This ended the exercises at Carpen-
ter's hall. The body filed out of the old
building and proceeded TO independence
hall, where some time was spent in
| viewing the interesting relics on the
lower floor. The visitors then pro-
ceeded up stairs TO the common council
| chamber, where Gov. Green called for
order, and, after brief address on the
| movement for which they had been
called to Philadelphia to-day, be pro-
| posed the name of Gen. Banks, of Mas
| sachusetts, for the presiding officer.
This was agreed to unanimously, and
| Gen. Banks took the chair. He made a
| brief address, declaring that he be-
lieved it was solemn duty TO place be-
fore the world memorial to the great
| events they were celebrating. some