The Sunday morning news., 1891-12-27
TRENTON'S GALA DAY.
Crowds Witness the Monu-
ment'S Corner Stone
Laying in the
Rain.
The Capital Alive With Elo-
quenee and Patriotism
FLAGS AND BUN TING
Governor Abbett's Patriotic Ora
tory-General Stryker Tells
How Washington Whipped
the Hessians.
FLAGS AND BUN TING
Special to the Jersey city Msps.


TRENTON, Dec. 26, 1s91.-"As Governor
of the State of New Jersey dedicate this
cornerstone of mo nument to commem-
crate the battle fought in the city of
Trenton between General Washing
ton and the American army and the
troops of Great Britain during the Revo-
lutionary war. the Goth day OF Decem ber,
1776. May Heavens most gracious bless
ing rest upon the noble work here begun
and bring it to successful termination"
So spoke Governor Albeit at noon to-
day as he tapped three times the massive
cornerstone of the monument which is
to be erected to commemorate the battle
of Trenton The last word had scarcely
been spoken when the band struck up the
'Star Spangled Banner" the 5000 or
more. who thronged the square in which
the monument will stand, uncovered;
The gaily caparisoned City Troop which
was drawn up at one side presented arms
and from a neighboring hill came the
steady boom, boom. of a National
salute fired by the gun detachment of the
Seventh Regiment.
ANNOUNCING THE EVENT.
Immediately from all parts of the city
cane the joyous clang of bells and the
discordant shrieks Of thousand factory
and locomotive WI istles. which we'll nigh
drowned the cheers Of the assembled peo-
pie. When this had subsided the pro
gramme was carried out as stated In The
JERSEY CITY NEWS yesterday.
Trenton wore holiday aspect not
withstanding the depressing weather.
The factories and poLteries closed for the
day, and from an early hour the streets
were thronged with people in holi-
day aspect. In spite of the dull
heavy atmosphere the scene was bright
and cheerful with decorations of gay
colors. The national ensign was dis
played on all the State. public and large
private buildings, and no house along the
route from the Capitol to the site OF the
monument was too poor to display flag,
while many of the decorations Were
elaborate.
PATRIOTIC CHURCH.
st. Mary's Cathedral, together with the
Episcopal residence. and the rectory pre-
sented a striking appearance. The Stars
and Stripes foated from almost
every corner. while over the main
entrance to the cathedral was
large portrait of Washington draped
with the National colors. Large National
flags floated from the steeple, from viii ch
streamers of tiny flags ran to the spire,
During the day patriotic airs were played
upon the Cathedral chimes. The City
Troop, Trenton's crack cavalry regiment,
with IT'S gay orange trimmings and su-
perb charges, attracted much attention as
it escorted the Governor from the Capitol
TO the site and back again. The Cover
nor was received with much enthusiasm
as he passed through the crowded streets
!, aud his presence was announced
by cheers. When he reached the
| platform, which was already crowded
with prominent State and municipal
| officials and distinguished men, the band
< played Hail to the Chief"
The distinguished gentlemen from
abroad were presented to the Governor,
Spangled Banner" the exercises began
with prayer by the Rev. DR.. Dixon.
Mayor Bechtel read the contents OF
the box placed in the stone, among
which were the Constitutions OF
the United States and New Jersey; list
of tine officers of the United States and
New Jersey Governments; plans of the
monument with the names of architect
and builder; copies of the Trenton news
papers: coins OF the United States and
number of patriotic poems and papers
upon the battle. Before Bishop O'Far-
rell. arrayed in soutane and sochat,
could pronounce the benediction
the rain, which had been
threatening all the morning began
to fall heavily. The greater part of the
throng. however, remained with barred
heads until the last word of the venera-
BILE prelate's blessing had been uttered.
A MEMORABLE GAVEL.
The gavel which the Governor used was
loaned for the occasion by Jerome Buck,
the President of the Masonic Veterans of
New York. 1t is made Of the tim Der OF
Commodore Perry's flag ship which bore
such memorable part in the battle or
Lake Erie. 1t has been used on the occa-
sion of LAYING of the corner stone of the
Masonic Temple of New York, LAYING of
the corner stone of the monument at
York town, laying of the corner stone OF
the Obelisk in Central Park, laying of the
corner stone of the monument at Mon
Masonic Home at Utica. 1t is literally
belted with golden plates upon which are
engraved its varied service.
COMMEMORATIVE SERVICES.
At the conclusion of the services at
the site the vast crowd dispersed. and
the guests repaired to the various
hotels where luncheon was par
taken Of The Society of the Gin
cinnati went to Masonic Temple. Gov
ernor Albeit spoke to them about Our
Conntry's fiag.' This speech was pub
lisned in THE JERSEY CITY NEWS yester-
day, but in order that the greatest pub
licity he gwen to the Governors patrlotlc
elouuence il is here repeated.
Man needs a material manifestation
which through his eye appeals to his
heart and brain, concentrating his ener-
cies and arousing his enthusiasm.
In all the great struggles OF arms,
through all the years of the past, the
cause or principle fought for has been
symboized by banner or flag. which to
ihe soldier aud the patriot has been the
emblem representing all that is dear to
him, and from which he drew inspira,,
ton and in whose presence wounds and
death were but glory aud immortality:
This has been so in the ages past; it will
be SO in all the ages to come NO denun-
revoh against the Union, ;roused the
loyal people of this country as fully as the
shots fred in Charleston harbor at the