The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-09-19
Hundredth Anniversary of the Lay
ing Of the Corner Stone
by Washington.
Done With Masonic Rites In tho
Presence OF Citizens and
Soldiery.
Yesterday Preaiden Cleveland and Es.nrl
Marched Over the Route Taken by
the First President

NAL Rnniye sary, that of laying the cor
nsr stone OF the national capitol, was com
memoratsd this afternoon. hundred
ysata ago to-day George Washington. tho
worshiDful master OF lodge No. %, OF Viz
Rinis. with Masonic rites. laid the corner
stone Of tho building which by slow stages
for ninety nine years thereafter grew into
one of the most magnificent structures In
tho world. Washington on that occasion
woro sash and apron woven by Lafayette's
wifs. Tho CITY was thcn mere village,
but oScotted by q small band OF pat lotto
citizens and troop of soldiery the father
Of his county proceeded fiom the White
house along Pennsylvania avenue 70 the
east front of the capitol, over the same
route taken to-day by President Cleveland
and the great parade of officials. civic and
military.
The procession to-day was led by Chief
Marshal Ordway and staff. with a squadron
of cavalry acting as escort to the president.
followed by the orator Of the day. VIM.
Writ Henry. . descendant OF Patrick
Henry; governors of various states; Chair
man Lawrence Gar dner and invited guests
in CARRIAGES. troop of district national
guard bringing up the renr as further escort.
Then in the parade proper came a division
of oivio societies and organizations. Then
q division composed OF the Society of the
Cincinnati. Sons of tho American Revolu-
tion Sons Of the Revolution. the Aztec
club. Veterans of tho Mexican War. the Old
Guard. Grand Amy OF the Repoblio, Sons
of Veterans and National Rifles; then di-
vision of United states regulars; district
and visiting militia and last the veteran
fremsn of the district and similar visiting
oraanizAtions.
The streets were shronRed With people.
who oheered tho president as he passed.
Arriving at the capitol tho parade dis
banded. and a vast thronR Witnessed the
ceremonies, including members of both
houses OF congress, judges of the supreme
court. members of the cabinet and other
high diRnitaries. who occupied places on
the stand. The exercises began with m usio
by this Marine hand. Then Bishop Patst.
Of Ma, vlsnd, offered ptayer. aud a chorus
Of l.1UO voices SANG Te Deuu. after which
Chairman Gardner delivered q brief ad-
dress, closing by introducing as chairman
of tho ceremonies the worthy successor of
Washington. President Grover Cleveland"
The president was given a most enthusi-
aoteristie and appropriate address. Al its
conclusion the president was cheered with
redoubled viRor. The p esident said in
part: "Whils l accept with much satisfac-
tion the post assigned me on this occasion,
cannot escape tho sober reflections which
pose We are simply engaged IN commemoE-
ating the beginning of q magnificent struo-
ture devoted to important public uses over
look the most useful lesson of the hour.
We do. indeed. celebrate the laying of IA
cornerstone from which has sprung the
splendid edifce whose grand proportions
arouse tho pride Of every American oiti-
zen; but our celebration 10 chiefly valuable
and significant because this edifios was de-
signed and planned by great and good men
a. place where the principles of FREQ
representative government should be de-
veloped In patriotic legislation for the
benefit Of . free people.
"If the representatives who here asssm-
bio to make the laws for their fellow conn
trymen 70 get the duty of broad. disinter-
ested patriotism. and legislate in prejudice
and passion, or on behalf of sectional or
selfish interests, tho time when the corner
stone of our capitol was laid and tho cir
oumstanoes surToundinR II would not 10
worth commemorating.
"Ths sentiment and t additions connected
with this st ucture and its uses belong 70
all tho people OF the land. They are the
most valuable reminders of patriotism in
the discharge of public duty and stead
fastness In many sti uRglss for public good.
They also fu niah the standard BY which
our people may measure tho conduct OF
those chosen to serve them. The i1s1orn-
BILE application OF this standard will always
supply proof that our countrymsn iealize
the value Of the FREQ institutions designed
and built by those who laid tho corner
stone of their capitol; that they appreciate
the necessity of = constant, Jealous watch
fulness as condition indispensable to the
preservation Of these institutions In purity
and integrity.
II believe our fellow citizens have no bet.
ter or greater cause for rejoicing on this
centennial than that those halls will watch
that gather around this celebration, and
that In days to como those who shall again
celebrate the laying of tho cornerstone of
their nations cspitol, will find In q recital
OF our performance of public duty no less
reason for enthusiasm and congratulation
than ws find In recalling the wisdom and
virtue Of those who preceded u.s." Then
the orator of the day. VIM. Writ Henry.
delivered The address Woe -President
Stevenson, who spoke on behalf OF the sen
nte. was accorded q greeting rs hearty
az that given tho president Speaker
Crisp followed on behalf of the house. A
chorus sang "Ths Heavens arc Telling"
and then Justice Henry Billings Brown, Of
the supreme court. spoke on behalf of ,he
judiciary.
As the consequence Of some trouble be-
tween the Catholic organizations and Ma
sonic lodges over tho part TO be taken in
the celebration by Cardinal Gibbons, both
parties 10 tho dispute withdrew entirely
from participation. The absence of the
Masonic lodges from the parade this after
noon was particularly noticeable. inRsmuch
as the laying of tho cornerstone hundred
ysnrs ago Was olcmni2ed under their aus
plces.
Thousands Of people throngsd 20 the
capitol grounds tonight TO hear ths ring
Ina of the chimes OF bella on the new
library btlding. attend the opon air concert
by the Marine band and grand chorus of
l,50O voices The eonoers took place on
the platform where ths exercises of tho
, afternoon wee conducted, The east front
of the capitol was beautifully lighted and
the scene was OF most pituresque character.
Tho programme began with the ringing of
"Amerioa" On The chime bells. Then the
Marine band played an oyettare, after
which the grand chorus sang. Tho pro-
gramms was lengthy one and concluded
with tho singing of "The star SpRnaled
Hammer by ths grand chorus. the audience
joining IN the singing.
American Monetary Conrercncc Proposed.
WASHINGTON. Sept. 49, In the senate
Stewart. OF Nevada. introduced an amend
mens 10 the repeal bill authorizing the
AAtN NAnA An