The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1893-09-21
LIBERTY'S CENTENNIAL.
PATRIOTIC CEREMONIES ATTENDING
CORNERSTONE CELEBRATION.
Imposing Parade Of Military and Civic
Grandeur-speechss by President clsve-
land, Vice President stevenson and
Other Distinguished Orators


the west front of the capitol this alter
noon. A hundred years ago today
Washington, the first president OF the
republic, grand master OF the Free ant
Accepted Order of Masons, wearing al
anron and sast. woven by the wife o.
LAFAYETTE. laid the foundation stone
of the great marble pile now the ad
miration OF the world. This city was
then a village, its broad, sweeping
avenues, magnificent buildings and
beautiful parks as yet unmarked upon
the map. Escorted by a small band
of patriotic citizens and a troop OF
soldiers. Washington accompanied by
his cabinet and many of the illustrious
men of bis day, rode to the forest
crowned hill on which the capitol now
stands to lay the cornerstone OF that
giant structure.
Over the same route today President
Cleveland, escorted by dashing cav
airy, marching infantry, blaring
bands and vast multitude of people,
to add his presence and words to the
celebration of the anniversary of the
event. The Goddess of Liberty from
her stand on the dome looked down
upon the gaily decorated platforms,
on which. in addition to the orators OF
the day. sat in solemn state the men-
bers of both branches OF congress,
iudees of the superior courts clad in
judicial ernine, members of the cabi-
net and other high dignitaries of the
government. Beyond she saw filling
the plaza in front of the platform and
extending far out into the radiatiDg
avenues n great G1ncourse of citizens
and civic soldiery, which in numbers,
patriotism and enthusiasm fittingly
marked the growth and g'anduer of
the country during the 100 years that
have passed. On the right of the
platform was stationed the marine
band under the direction of Professor
Fancuilly and chorus OF 1000 voices
under tbs direction OF Professor
Coward.
Not since the second Inauguration
of President Cleveland have the thor
oughiares of this city been so thronged
with people as they were today. And
aot since then has there been such a
display of civic and military organiza
tions as that of today, Long before
the hour for the parade to start the
inhabitants of Washington and thou
sands of visitors from far and near be-
gan to assemble along the sidewalks of
the streets through which it was to
pass. They crowded the steps and |
porticoes of public buildings they |
were to be seen on the house tops and
peering from hundreds of windo ws n
private houses, and they watched and
waited until the parade passed by and
then there was an exodus from the
streets and houses and housetops to
the grounds Of the old capitol, where
the exercises were held.
And while the PEOPLE were gather
ing along the line Of march there was
a perfect pandemonium OF martial
bands leading the way for soldiers and
sailors and civic organizations to the
rendezvous whence the parade was to
start. Thus was u steady tramp OF in
Fantrv. rattle and clash of cavalry,
and rumbling OF the cannon of the ar
ti,lerv. mingled with the clang of cable
car gongs and officers giving com
mands. Everything seemed to be in
hopeless taugle of confusion and the
thousands of people who stood and sat
watching seemed to wonder if order
could ever be brought out of such
chaos.
The pqrade started from the White
House and here it WAS the multitude
of sightseers was depsest 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. Notwithstaud
ing the fears of many, order was at
length restored and tie procession
started from the White House to the
east front of the Capitol over the same
route taken 100 years ago.
Gen. Ordway, chief marshal, and
staff, with asquldron OF United States
cavalry, acting as escort for President
Cleveland in his carriage, led the way
and as the chief executives carriage
passed through the streets crowds OF
watchers houored him with loud huz.
Zas. In the carriages that followed
were Orators of the Day, William Writ
Henry, of Virginia, governors OF va
rious states, Chairman Laurence Gard
ner and specially invited guests, troop
A of the District National Guard
bringing up the rear.
After this escort came the first divis-
ion proper under command of Marshal
Robert Boyd. This division was com.
posed of civic organizations. The sec
ond division was under command os
H. G.. Gibson as marshal and in thii
division were the society OF CINCINNATI
Sons of the American revolution, the
Aztec club of 1S47, veterans of Mexican
war, old guard Grand Army of
the Republic, Sons of Veterans and
National Rifles. The third division
was composed entirely of United
Stated regiments and District of Co.
lumbia and visiting militia. The
fourth and last division of the parade
had for its commander Marshal James
H. Richards 1t was composed of vet
eran firemen of the District of Colum
bia and similar organizations from
other parts Of the country.
Arriving at the capitol the parade
disbanded and the ceremonies begun
on the stand erected on the ea.t front
of the capitol. There vas IN owe tture
by the United States Marine band.
Right Reverend VIM. Paret. bishop of
MARYLAND, invoked the blessing of