Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-02-23

ing the ori ginal States, together with some
notables from other sections met at Phila-
delphia yesterday. The object is the erec-
ton of a notable national memorial in that
city.
PHILADELPHIA, February 22.-The in
itial steps toward the erection of memorial
to perpetuate the memory Of the events
leading to the foundation of the o United
States government were taken in this city
to-day in the presence and with the CO.
operation of a large and representative
gathering of Congressman and State authori-
ties. The members of Congress who par
ticipated in the preparatory movement to-
day arrived in the city last evening and
this morning they assembled in parlor G of
the Continental Hotel. The gathering was
a notable one, including nearly full rep
resentation from the 13 original States and
scattering representatives. 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 General II. n.
Bingham called for order and nominated
Ex-Governor Green, of New, Jersey. as
chairman of the occasion. Governor Green
welcomed the visitors on behalf of the
executive committee of Governors ap-
pointed by the Is States.
CAUSE FOR GENERALIZATION.
He briefly outlined the Inauguration Of
the movement to commemorate the estab-
lishment of the Constitution. He said he
congratulated himself that SO large repre-
sentation of the States had put in an ap-
pearaEce. A committee OF the Governors
and other representatives of the United
States was appointed to present q memorial
bill to Congress with the view of perpetu-
ating in fitting manner the closing events
OF the last century and the early stages of
the nations life.
He invited the members of Congress to
visit the scenes OF these early events SO
memorable in history. First, Carpenters
Hall, where the first Continental Congress
sat, and where the early frame work Of the
Constitution was adopted; next, Independ-
ence Hall, the old cradle of liberty, and
next the site in Fairmount Park where it is
proposed to erect the memorial.
President Gales, of Select Council, in the
coined the visitors to the city. After these
ceremonies a column was formed BY twos,
and the procession, headed by Ex-Governor
Green, who was Governor of New Jersey at
the time of the Constitutional Centennial
celebration in 1887, and Governor Ladd, of
Rhode Island, marched from the hotel to
Carpenters Hall, on Chestnut street, below
Fourth, a distance OF little over five blocks.
pTcnT ~ m x-rnJz1 Anro@-
As each member of the Congressional del
egation passed under the historic roof he re-
moved his hat with display Of veneration.
The chairs in the old hall were not sufficient
to seat all who came, and after the Congress
men were seated large portion of the as
semblage remained standing. Governor
Green presided.
Richard K. Belts, the venerable actuary
of the building, was introduced and made
short speech of welcome. He said that 80
years ago it was his duty to welcome on the
same spot body called for the purpose of
erecting q monument to the signers
of the Declaration of Independence.
Rev. Charles Wadsworth, Jr., In
voked the divine blessing, after
which Hampton L. Carson delivered the
formal welcoming address Mr.. Carson. in
the course of his remarks, said: ''In this
hall were started the greatest national
movements ofthis country. In this hall,
sanctifed by the memories of 1774, were laid
the foundations of government which in
its history of 100 years has no parallel.
Here upon this floor the immortal Wash
lngton 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 ior the
protection OF all men, Irrespective of class
or creed. And so we have met to-day to
take the initial steps toward erecting a
monument to commemorate these patriots
and these great principles. The time is
fitting and the place is fitting"
THE PERoRATIoN.
In closing Mr.. Carson turned to the Hon,
c. B. Breckinridge, of Arkansas the great
grandson of DR.. John Witherspoon, New
Jersey signer of the Declaration of -Inde-
peudence, and said: ITO you sir, worthy
descendant of an illustrious sire-one of
those immortal few, whose names can never
fade from the scroll of history, because at
tached to that great declaration which pro-
claimed our national independence-to you
and your fellow representative bid YOU
in the name of our citizens welcome to this
historic hall. May your labors and deliber-
ations be eminently successful"
Congressman Breckinridge made fitting
reply. "We are heartily apprsciative," he
said, 'Of the cordial welcome which you
have extended to us and we are heartily in
sympathy with the people of this historic |
city in the purposes they have in view in j
with this gathering"
Continuing he spoke of the nations whose |
were founded upon force. sit was
not so with u.s." he added. "Our country,
BUR Government, was founded on equality |
and justice to all. These are the principles |
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 estab- |
lished 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 people. In this way they will be instru-
mental in shaping posterity and raising men |