The Wilmington daily Republican., 1891-05-22
4 MASONIC HOME.
The Largest Procession Ever Seen
in Utica, N. Y.
oHAUNoEY M. DEPEws ADDRESS

tion for Charity, and Says the
United States Leads In Charitable
EfSrt-The Masons Of the Revolu-
tion.
UTICA, N. Y, May 22.-The corner
stone of the new Masonic home and hos
pital was laid yesterday afternoon, with
appropriate ceremonies. The parade
was the largest ever seen in this city,
fully 5000 Masons of all degrees being
in line. There were thirty bands. The
decorations on public and private build
ings about the city were the most elab-
crate ever seen in Utica.
On account of light rain, only the
trustees Of the home drove out to the
site to accomplish the actual laying of
the stone, the ceremonies being con-
Quoted at the Opera house. Grand Mas
ter Vrooman presided, and Past Grand
Master Frank r. Lawrence, Of New
York, was the orator.
The building will be basement and
three story brick structure, and will ac-
commodate 5000 people. The cost of
the home will be about $lS2 900.
ETr. Dcpew's Address.
Last night there was meeting in the
Opera house, at which Mayor Goodwin
presided, and at which Hon. Chauncey
M. Depew delivered an address. After
speaking Of the birth Of the project for
state home, the speaker said:
There Is no more important study for the
statesmen, the philosopher or the generous
man than the bcstowal of gifts for the benefit
Of our felowmen. Since st. Paul announced
that the three cardinal virtues were faith,
hope and charity, and the greatest of them all
charity, this sentiment has grown and ex-
panded until now 1t finds expression in benefl-
cent efforts nil over christendom, but the
prodigal liberality of the United States places
them In the front rank of humanitarian ma
tions. From the enforced taxation of all, and
the liberal purses of many, a golden stream
constantly flows into the hospital, the asylum,
the home, the school and the work Of churches
and parishes
Founded by WorlSingmcn.
Masonry was founded by workngmen. Its
whole mission aud spirit Is work. From the
surplus of those who arc able and willing to do
their part for themselves and their brethren,
the funds have been raised, and will continue
In larger measure to be contributed for the
maintenance of those who utterly helpless
and havo no relatives upon whom they can
rely, and for that noblcst OF all cfforts-the
substitution, as far as human love can supply
the want, Of the care, the tenderness and tho
Oh Ialntf anu mother TOr the
children of the craft who have lost both.
When the world has been plunged in saw
agcry and superstition, when continents have
been drcnchcd In blood, when cruelty has i'm
INJURED In dungeons and stretched upon the
rack the disciples of civil and religious liberty
the Masonic sign of distress hns always been
recognized upon the battlefield or In the tor
ture chamber, and with 1t the kinship OF
blood and brotherhood.
Secrecy is not potent for perpetuity. Secret
tuNf -
national have been created by the million and
have lived their brief lives and expired. Or
ganizations which have for their object the
pursuit of policy In government, the propa-
CATION OF creed or the improvement and
strengthening of u craft, form and dissolve
with the recurring years, and no trace Of them
Is found In succeeding centuries.
Value of Association.
The chief factor In education and the conserv-
tor in society is association. Associations
properly formed aud cultivated are the bar
ricrs against the flood which would engulf the
best elements Of humanity. Associations of
men and women engaged In similar pursuits
accomplish most admirable results, but
mainly In the direction Of their material well
fares Trades unions hnvo their mission and
their sphere which are essential to tho proper
working Of great industrial community.
hundred years ago ut Ncwburgh, when the
revolution had succeeded, and the continental
army dsbnnding, Washington and all
his generals, standing within the precincts OF
Masonic lodge, of which they were all mem
bers, could rejoice in the fact that the Ma
sonic principle of the equality of all men be-
fore the law had at last, after unnumbored
centuries, become the corner stone of their
republic. We turn from Washington and his
generals and their great work In war, from
the early grand masters Of our state, Robert
II. Livingston, who gave us our Judiciary
system, and Dewitt Clinton, who created the
Erie caral and wedded tho lakes to the sea,
to the duties OF the hour. The past is superb
and secure. The present is peace. The future
under the bcneficent operations of the institu-
tion founded here today, and kindred asylums
which will be established In the different
parts of the state, will open with increasing
years new avenues for charity AMI fresh
reservoirs of benevoencc.