The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-09-19

WASHINGTON, Sept. 1S.-The weather
could not possibly have been more pleas
ant than that which favored the cele-
bration to-day of the laying OF the
cornerstone of the national Capitol
The day was ushered in by the ringing
OF centennial chimes.
Folio wing as closely as possible the
programme of the original ceremonies,
the procession was chiefly confined to
civic bodies under marshallship of Gen
eral Ordway. commanding the Distric t
National Guard. 1t started shortly
before o'clock in four divisions from
in front OF the White House.
The procession moved briskly along
the broad Pennsylvania avenue to the
Capitol, the civic organizations four
abreast and the military in columns of
companies, with brave display of civic
insignia, much music and the plaudits
OF mighty concourse of spectators.
The organizations in line included in
the first division, Odd Fellows, oldest
inhabitants, knights OF Pythias, Elks
and Noble Red Men " The second
division comprised the society of the
Cine innati, Grand Army Republic and
Mexican veterans and the Sons of the
American revolution, in which organi.
cation are included many Of the most
honored names in public life and which
as an organization made its public de-
but to day.
The third division was military and
comprised the District National Guard
some regulars and visiting militia from
Virginia. The fourth division was com
posed Of veteran fremen and visiting
IRE associations, including veterans
from Brooklyn and New York and Vir-
GINA and Maryland.
at the head of the procession imme-
diately following Grand Marshal
Ordway and his we'll mounted staff rod @
the President of the United States and
his Cabinet officers. The President rod o
in an open barouch, attended by Hon.
Beriah wilkins, chairman of the recep-
ton CONN ittee, and escorted by squad
ron OF United States cavalry which
made glittering, Gathering show in
their snowy full dress uniform, helmets
and waving plumes.
In the carriage following the Presi-
dent came the orator of the day, Hon.
William Writ Henry. of Virginia.
grandson OF Patrick Henry, attended
by Lawrence Gardner, chairman of the
general committee. Each Cabinet off,
cec was attended by two members of the
committee on arrangements. After the
cabinet officers came Bishop Paret, of
Maryland, chaplain for the day, in his
Episcopal robes. Then came Associate
Justices Brown and Field, representing
the United States Supreme Court, and
after them the joint committee of Con-
gress, the commissioners of the Dis
trlct, the Society of Cincinnati, and the
general committees.
The procession occupied little over
an hour in passing a given point There
was an imposing display of Free and
Accepted Masons and Knight Templars
in their handsome insignia. Other so.
cieties-notably the noble Red Men in
their grotesque Indian disguises-lent
variety to the scene. The regulars and
District MALTA we're in such force that
civic parade.
No serious accident married the day.
and though the suns rays grew yerv
warm before the procession ended, the
short distance trayersed prevented any
suffering from the heat.
AT exactly o'clock the head of the
column appeared at the top of Capitol
hill on the east front. The Presidents
carriage and those occupied by the
other dignltaries were diverted from the
line and passed under the portico of the
east front. AS the President stopped
upon the platform he was greeted with
cheers and applause The entire space
in front of the Capitol, almost over to
the new library building, was filed
with people
The decorations OF the Capitol were
artistic, but in no way gaudy. The
chief attraction was the central portion
OF the stand erected in front of the main
entrance, where sat the President and
VICE President, members Of the Cabi.
net, Speaker of the House, Supreme
Court of the United States, memb ers Of
the Diplomatic Corps and other distin-
gulshed citizens, among the latter we're
a number of the sons of the American
Revolution, at the head Of which was
Horace Porter, who was the private
secretary TO President Grant.
10 the left Of this was the stand pro-
vided for the mem ers of Congress and
their friends. At the right of the Presi.
dent sat the great chorus composed OF
1,50O voices which took very i'm portant
part in the ceremonies
Promptly at two o'clock the Senate
and House OF Representative filed from
the rotunda on'the platform and at zoo
the exercises began. The programme
was not followed literally. The Marine
Band failed to appear and the overture
from "Tannha leser" was the first
omission, the ceremonies opening with
8 recitatioI OF prayers from the Episco.
pal prayer book and one specially pre-.
pared for the occasion.
The te deum by the chorus was the
second omission. The introduction by
Lawrence Gardner, chairman of the
centennial committee, came in due