Red Lodge picket. [volume] (Red Lodge, Mont.) 1889-1907, 1893-09-23
A HUNDRED YEARS OLD,
Centennial Celebration Of tha
Laying of the Cornerstone
of the Capitol.
Solemn and Impressive Exer
cises Witnessed by Thou
sands Of People.
Patriotic Speeches Made b.
President Cleveland and
Other Notables.

WASHINGTON, Sept. l9.-The centen-
nial celebration of the anniversary OF
the laying of the cornerstone of the
Calitol was solemn and impressive.
One hundred years ago to the day and
hour Washington, the first president of
the republic, rs grand master Of tho
Free and Accepted Order of Masons,
wearing an apron and sash woven by
the wife of Lafayette, laid the founda-
ton stone OF the great mar lie pile that
is now the admiration Of the world.
This city was then a village, its broad,
sweeping aveuuts, magnificent build
i1gs and beautiful parks as yet un-
marked upon tie map.
Escorted by small band OF patriotic
citizens and a troop OF cavalry, Wash
ington, accompanied by his cabinet and
many Of the illu5trious men of the day,
rode to the fort-crownel Lill on which
the Capitol now stands, to lay the cor
Ecrstone of that giant structure. Over
the ra1ne route President Cleveland was
escorted by dashing cavalry, marching
infantry, biarins bands and a vast
multitude Of people, to add his presence
and words to the celebration of the an
niversary OF the event.
Thorous hfares 1hronged.
Not since the days of the inaugura-
tion of Pr es;Gent Cleveland have the
thoroughfures Of this city leen SO
th"onged with people. And not since
then has there been such display Of
civic and military organizations. Long
before the hour for the parade to start
the inhabitants Of Washington and the
thousands OF visitors from far and near
began to assemble along the sidewalks
Of the streets through which it was to
pass. The parade started from the
multitude of sightseers was the densest.
A Gordon Of police kept the crowd
away from the grounds and out of the
way Of the soldiers and civic bodies
while they were forming in line. The
procession started from the White
louso to the east front Of the Capitol
ever the route taken 100 years ago
when George Washington laid the cor
nerstone of the Capitol 1t was from
the White House along Pennsylvania
avenue 10 the Capitol grounds Gen
eral Ordway, the chief marshal, and his
staff, with squadron of United States
cavalry acting as an escort for Presl-
dent Cleveland in q carriage, led the
way, and as the the chief executives
carriage passed through the streets the
crowds of watchers honored him
With Loud Huzzas.
Then in carriages followed the orator
of the day, William Writ Henry of Vir-
g!nia, the governors of the various
states, Chairma Laurence Gardner
and tie specially invited guests, Troop
A Of the district national guard bring
ing up The rear.
After this escort came the first divi-
sion proper, under the command of
Marshal Robert Boyd. This division
was comp osed Of civic organizations:
mand of Fl. G.. Gibson as marshal, and
in this division We're the Society OF Gin
Cl1lnati. Sons Of the American Revolu-
ticn, AZ &c club of 1s47 veterans of the
Mexican war. Old Guard. Grand Army
OF the Republic, Sons OF Veterans and
the National R fes.
The third division was composed en-
~T ~ =
District of Columbia and visiting mi
litia.
The fourth and last division of the
parade had for its commander Marshal |
james H. Richards. It was composed |
OF the veteran frenen OF the district Of
Columbia and similar organizations
from o;Ler arts of the country.
Exercises q. the Capitol.
Arriving at the Capitol the parade
was di5banded and the ceremonies Of
tie day were begun on the stand |
erected at the east front Of the Capitol. |
The Rt. Rev. William Paret, bishop Of
Maryland, invoked the Blessing Of God,
after which Lawrence Gardner, the
chairman, made some eloquent re-
HlarRs. AS he concluded Dr.. Gardner
turned towards President Cleveland |
end introduced him as the next
speaker. the president, who had been
greeted with warm applause all the way
Ell route to the Capitol, received still
more enthusiastic welcome now. Stand
ing in his familiar attitude, with his
dark Prince Albert coat tightly but
toned, using no gestures, but articu!at-
Ing loudly and distinctly, he spoke as
follows:
The Presidents Speech.
While 1 accept with much satisfac-
ton the Ia1t assigned to me On this oc-
casion, cannot escare the sober re-
nectiors which these ceremonies sug-
gest. those who suppose that we are
fimply engaged in commemorating the
Of magnificent structure
devoted 10 important public Uses, have
overlooked the most useful and i'm
proving lesson Of the hour. We do in
deed celebrate the laying of corner
stone from which has sprung the splen-
did edifice whose grand proportions
arouse the pride Of American citizens;
but our celebration is chiefly valuable
and significant because this edifce was
designed and planned by great and
good men, as place where the princi-
rles of fres representative govern
ment should b. developed in patriotic
legislation for the benefit of free
people.
Ii representatives who here assemble
to make laws for their fellow country
men forget the duty of broad and dis
patriotism and legislate in
prejudice and passion or in behalf of
.ectional and selfish interests, the time
when the cornerstone Of our Capitol
was laid and the circumstances sur
it
Will Not Be Worth Commemoratirg.
Tho 4bo