The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-09-19
The Centennial Celebration Of The
Nations Capitol.
MANY DlGNIqARIES TAKE PART.
President Cleveland Chairman Of Csrs-
moniss--The Grafton OF the Day De-
Nvsrsd By william Writ Henry-An
Address By Vice President Stevenson

las lust celeDrated the Centennlal OF tn0
Art national event which occurred within
hsr borders, the laying Of the corner stone
OF the Capitol on the 18th Of September,
1903. The ceremonies on that occasion
vsrs directed by the officials of the Alex
sndria Masonic Lodge, President Wash
ington assisting upon the invitation of the
Master Of the lodge. Some of the regalia
which Washington wore on that occasion
was made BY the wife Of Lafayette, and 1t,
together with the implements of the craft
ussl to lay ths corner stone, are stiIl tn
posssssion of the lodge. An invitation to
participate In the exercises was de-
clinsd by the lodge
The original structure Of the Capitol, which
has sincs been added to from time to time,
was the production Of a Frenchman named
Stephen Hallet, improved by an English-
man named William Thornton, and q
right lively quarrel the Gaul and the An
gIo- Saxon had over the authorship Of the
plsnA
Finished by Boston Architect
An English architect named Latrobe
succeeded the designers, and II was under
him that the building was nearly CON-
pleted when the British burned it in tho
raid ON Washington. He rebuilt 1t, and
hen architect BulAnch Of Boston too X
hold. and In 1897 the modest structure was
reported finished-cost $2. 433, 314, perhaps
ten Der cent. of the total cost Of the pres
emit structure.
A second corner stone laying occurred In
1851. whom on July 4, President Fillmore
presiding, the FIRST stone was laid and
Daniel Webster delivered an address.
Thomas u. Walter Of Philadelphia de-
sianed the magnificent dome which was
subseouently constructed and the build
ing v.as added to until 1t reached its
present completed condition. Edward
Clark II the present architect and under
him the grounds and terraces have been
finished.
Following a. closely as possible the pro-
0ramme Of the original ceremonies, the
procession was chiefly confined to civic
bodies. under the marshalship Of General
Ordway, commanding the District Ma
At the head of the procession, imms-
diately following Grand Marshal Oriway
and bis we'll mounted staff, rode tho Presi-
dent Of the United States and his Cabinet
officers The President rode in an open
barouch attended by Hon. Beriah Wilkins.
Each Cabinet officer was attended BY
two members of the Committee on Ar
rangements.
After Che Cabinet officers came Bishop
Parets, of Maryland, Chaplain for the day,
In his Episcopal robes. Then came Asso-
ciate Justices Brown and Field. represent
ing the United States Supreme Court, and
after them the joint committee Of Congress,
the commissioners of the district, the
judiciary of the district, the Society OF Gin
cinnati, and the general committee.
Exercises at the CapitoL
Arrived at the Capitol shortly after
O'Clock, the parade was dismissed and the
ceremonies Of commemoraton were CON-
menced from stands erected on the East
front, and in the presence on an immense
concourse Of people.
The musical part Of the programme was
exceedingly notable and effective Then
after Bishop Parets eloquent prayer Dnc-
ley Bucks magnificent, "Te Deum in +
fiat" was rendered by a chorus OF fifteen
hundred trained voices, under the leader
ship OF Prof. Du Shane Coward.
AS the majestic chorus of this superbly
rendered composition died away the
oratorical part of the proceedings was
commenced by Mr.. Lawrence Gardner In
an address Of welcome.
Chairman Gardner said: W t
One hundred years ago George Wash
ington, the first President Of the United
States, standing on this hillside, then al
most . wilderness, laid the cornerstone of
she permanent home Of Congress, In whose
{<~xs- L. I,I InA
Our written Constitution, the beacon light
Of every freeman, was then but an expert
ment. Of which the creation OF national
capital, under the exclusive control of the
legislature, was the most novel feature.
Washington city was a name; the United
States q federation of fifteen States,
sparsely populated, bounded on the west
by the Mississippi, and with no port upon
the great gulf.
Since Washington Stood There.
How conditions have changed since
Washington last stood near this hallowed
spot. To-day the population of the coun-
try exceeds that OF any English-speaking
people; It's area has been enlarged from
927, 900 to 1904. 600 square miles; its
boundaries are washed 10y the two great
hope here expressed by Washington before
an assemblage small in numbers but
strong In that faith that overcometh all
human obstacles.
As the country grew so grewits Capitol
Year by year, stone upon stone. until on
this, its hundredth anniversary, II shows
forth the most magnificent structure OF
any nge, crowning the most beautiful city
Of the world
Ladies' and gentlemen, will not detain
you longer. Under the direction Of the
joint committee OF Congress, l have now
the pleasure OF introducing to you as
chairman Of ceremonies the worthy sue
cessor Of Washington. the President Of the
United States, Grover Cleveland.
THE PRESIDENTS ADDRESS.
Presidsnt Cleveland who had been
greeted with warm applause all the way
enroute TO the capitol received a still more
enthusiastic welcome now. Standing In
his familiar attitude with his dark Prince
Albert coat tightly buttoned using no
gestures, but articuating loudly and dis