The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-10-26
THE CORNER STONE LAID.
Imposing Ceremonies Yesterday at
the New High School
Building.
A Patriotic Address Delivered by
Hon. r. q. Davies, Of the
P.O. s. A.


P.O. s. A.
Exercises Performed Under the Auspices
Of the Masonic Grand Lodge and
other Orders. .1
The people of Montana regard with
pride her public schools and have always
contributed to their support with lavish
hand. Yesterday afternoon witnessed
display of this same feeling when the large
crowd of people gathered about the founda-
ton walls of the new high school building
on Warren street to see the corner stone Of
the institution laid. The walls and der
ricks presented a gay appearance with their
decorations of bunting and flags. num-
Der Of seats were placed on staging within
the wills, which were occupied by children
from the public schools. The space in front
of the building was filled with spectators
who had seats on building stones, and
lumber piles. while carriages and buggies
were crowded along the edge of the side
walk the whole length of the block. At half
past two the Masonic fraternity. Patriotic
Order Sons of America and members of the
G. A. X. appeared and took places the
staging and after prayer by Rev. F. 7.
Webb small tin box containing copies Of
and Some coins was placed in a receptacle
beneath the corner stone. massive piece of
granite weighing nearly three tons. Two boz
Quets of cut flowers presented by Mrs. Emma
Fretz, grand secretary of Miriam chapter
Order Of the Eastern Star, were deposited
49, IL H. - Al
tional president. 1880, of the Women's Relief
Corps. presented by Mrs. Witermeyer. The
stone was then lowered into place and
squared and leveled by members of the
Masonic grand lodge, who concluded the
ceremony by pouring corn. wine and oil
over the piece OF granite, symbolical Of
plenty. refreshment and JOY. This was fol-
school led by Mrs. l.. M. Ayr.
4. G. Davies. president of the P. Q. S. A.,
delivered the address. He said: The occa-
sion upon which we meet is one
which cannot but be source
of pleasure and pride to every lover
There can be no selfshness in the joy and
pride which permeate the hearts of those
among our number who have reached the
top of the mountain range of life, and are
descending the other slope of the divide at
the thought that our children, and their
all tie right and interest, free from incum-
brances, taxation, liens or any other claims,
of this magnificent building. The owners
not only of this building but the owners Of
a.perfect right to appear here, and receive
all the benefits of a liberal education, with
out money and price.
You have laid the foundation of temple
whose divinity is knowledge. knowledge
is power. Power is the ability to do good
and to do evil. However great man may
be naturally, his capacity to do good or evil
is limited by his education. When speak
of education mean of the hand az we'll az
the head, moral as we'll as mental educa-
tion. The greatest benefactors of the hui
man race, when considered with reference
to its connection with this planet, are those
men who are devotinR their lives and
superior attainments IN the educational
given to man BY his maker to ''subdue the
EARTH" Man has increased. he has multi
piled. he has replenished the earth, but he
has not yet brought it into subsection. Man,
the most helpless Of all creatures, without
natural clothing. with no means Of offense
with other animals, a microscopical insect
placed upon great world rolling through
space, subject to death at any moment
from visitation of the elements-he is
commanded to subdue it. The speaker
then referred to the first man who disobeyed
suo oaty 1uA0 IL !OLCe, duu was expelled
from the garden OF Eden. and his attempt
to build tower to heaven. Mankind then
sought safety in making supreme rules
over 1t in the persons of kings and priests.
Man commenced to subdue the earth by
forming government in which church and
state were separated. He founded public
schools, and declared them government in
stitutions. and that no church or creed
should control them. From this date he
commenced to advance, exploring the &C.
crets Of nature. educating children in
the sciences. and has accomplished more
u the 100 years from that time,
Il all the 5000 year before. So great has
the human race progressed in mighty
achievements in this one line that man is
already placing his bride upon the mighty
force by means Of which this world il an
existing fact.
Far b il from me to say aueht against
the laws OF my country, and in behalf of
the Patriotic Order of the Sons of Amer
lea. whose representative am on this occa-
sion, wish to say that we believe in the
right Of every man to worship God accord
ing to the dictates OF his own conscience,
attempts OF any man or body Of men to
propagate religious creed at public ex-
pense. We are not opposed to any class OF
oitizens on account of religion or national
NY, yet We will refuse to support for public
ONCE any man who il. not willing to keep
his nationality out Of politics, and allow
his religion to be secondary to his loyalty
az an American. We regard the American
common school system a. one Of
the chief factors in the forma-.
ton, and one of the principal
powers for the production Of republican
government. In . government of tho peo-
pie, by the people, intelligence is the prin-
cipal element of safety. Education 10 a
sacred debt which the present generation
owes to the future. The common schools
must continue to be the nurseries Of citi.
zenship. where the youth shall be taught
tho common branches, the history, the
principles, and the spirit of American in
stitutions and whore the highest standard
of excellence shall be maintained. In con.
clusion the speaker said the order that he
represented was IN full accord with the
Masonic fraternity in the matter. With
free church. free state and free schools
maintained the United States single handed
and alone would subdue the earth.
The address was received with Applause
from the spectators, and at it's conclusion
the exercises came to an end with the sing
ing of the Star Spangled Banner by the
members of the +. o. s. A.
Letters which Represent Wealth.
County Clerk Tooker, in looking over tn
assessment rolls for Lewis and Clarke
found that the names beginning with tn
letter Il represent over $4,000 of tn
$4,000, coo on the books. That letter leads