The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1890-02-27
WASHINGTON.
OF THE NATAL DAY OF
HE FATHER OF HIS
COUNTRY.
CELEBRATION IN PHILADELPHIA,
Initial Steps Towards Erecting a Memo
rial Perpetuating the Memory
of Historical Events.

PHILADELPHIA, Pa, Feb. 22.-The initial
steps towards the erection of a memorial
to perpetuate the memory of events leading
to the foundation of the United States gov
ernment occurred in this city today in the
presence and with the cooperation of a
| large and representative gathering of Con-
gressmen and State authorities. The men,
bers of Congress who participated assem-
bled in parlor of the Continental Hotel.
The gathering was a notable one, includ-
ing very full representation from the thir-
teen original States and scattering repre-
sentatives from the other.
The visitors were taken charge of by the
Executive Committee of citizens, assisted
by an auxiliary committee of City Council
men.
Shortly after 10 o'clock Gen. N. N. Bing-
ham called for order and nominated ex-
Gov. Green of New Jersey Chairman of the
occasion. Gov. Green welcomed the visi-
tors on behalf of the Executive Committee
of Governors appointed by the thirteen
States. He briefly outlined the inaugura-
ton of the movement to commemorate the
establishment of the Constitution. He
said he congratulated himself that so large
a representation of the States had put in an
appearance:
| resentatives of the thirteen States was ap-
pointed to present a memorial bill to Con-
gress with view of perpetuating in a
fitting manner the closing events of the
last century and the early stages of the Ma
tion's life. He invited the members of
Congress to visit the scenes of these early
events so m ,morable in history. The first
hall where the first Continental Congress
sat and where the early framework Of the
Constitution was adopted, next lndepen-
dence Hall the old Cradle of Liberty and
next the site in the Fairmount Park where
it is proposed to erect the memorial.
President Gates of the Select Council in
the absence t Mayor Filter then formally
welcomed tle visitors to the city. Alter
these ceremonies column was formed by
tWos and the procession headed by eX-Goy.
Green, who was Governor of New Jersey at
the time of the Constitutional Cen
tennial Celebration in 1887, and
Gov. Ladd of Rhode Island marched
from the hotel to Carpenters Hall on
Chestnut street below Fourth, distance of
a little over a mile. AS each member
of the Congressional delegation passed un-
der the historic portal his hat was removed
in veneration. The chairs in the
old hall were not sufficient to
seat all those who came and after Con-
gressmen were seated large portion ofthe
assemblage remained standing. Gov.
Green presided. Richard X Belts, the
venerable Actuary of the building, was in
trJduced and made short speech of wei
come. He said thirty years ago it was his
duty to welcome on the same spot q body
called for the purpose of erecting monu-
ment to the signers Of the Declaration of
Independence.
Rev. Charles Wadsworth, Jr, invoked
the Divine blessing, after which Hampton
L. Carson delivered a formal welcoming
adress. In closing Mr.. Carson turned to
Hon. G. r. Breckenridge of Arkansas, the |
great grandson of John Witherspoon, a
New Jersey signer of Independence, and
said: "To you, sir, worthy descendant of
an illustrious 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 represen tatives, l bid } ou i'll the |
name of our citizens welcome to this his |
toric hall. May your labors and delibera- !
tions be eminently successful
Congressman Breckenridge made a |
fitting reply in which he spoke of the |
nations whose bulwarks were founded upon
force. 1t was not so with us, he added |
OH equality and Justice to all. These are |
the principles which we should keep flesh |
IN our minds while we celebrate the achieve
ments of our patriots and sing their praises. |
Let us not in this moment overlook |
the Importance of the prin- |
ciples which inspired them. Let
US ssSsbd ssgas those GnSpss for xhGs
make known the objects and principles for
which ouJ Government exists. Let them
appear on memorial hall or on monu-
ments so that they may be kept plainly |
before the eyes of the people. In this way |
they will be made instrumental in shaping |
posterity and raising men like those who /
gave US this priceless heritage, Liberty
This ended the exercises at Carpenters
Hall.
The body proceeded to Independence
Hall, where some time was spent in view
ing the interesting relics on the lower
floor. The visitors then proceeded upstairs
to the Common Council Chamber where
ex-Gov. Green called for order, and after a
brief address on the movement for which
those present had been called TO Philadel.
phia today he proposed the name of Gen.
Banks of Massachusetts for presiding Off
cer.. This was agreed TO unanimously and
Gen. Banks took the chair. He made a
brief address.
Addresses were also made by Gov. Biggs
of Delaware, Col. Peyton of this city, Con-
gresham Carter of Montana, and Congress-
man Clunie of California in support of the
projected memorial. Upon the conclusion
of Mr.. Clunie's address the meeting ad-
journed and the visitors returned to the
motel. A banquet was rendered the visitors
this evening.
AT PITTsBCRG.
PITTsBURG, Pa, Feb. 22.-About 5000
men participated in the annual parade this
afternoon of the Junior Order OF American
Mechanics in commemoratiun of Washing
toms birthday. In the morning the corner
stone of a Washington monument in Allie
was laid by the National Coun-
Gil.
AT CHICAGO.
CHICAGO, ILL.,, Feb. 22.-The Central Music