The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-09-19
Dir. CIeveland's Speech.

Mr. CIeveland's Speech.
The President squared himself up TO
the task. and sent out his sentences in
clear. vigorous, far-reachlng tones. He
said
while I accept with much satisfaction
the part assigned TO me on this occasion,
/ cannot escape the sober reflections
which these ceremonies suggest Those
who suppose that we are simply engaged
in concentrating the beginning of
magnificent structure devoted TO impor-
tant public uses have overlooked the
most useful and improving lesson OF the
hour We DO indeed celebrate the laying
of a cornerstone from which has sprung
the splendid edifce whose grand proper
tions arouse the pride Of every Ameri-
can citizen. but our celebration is chief
ly valuable and significant because this
edlice was designed and planned by
great and good men, as a place where
the principles Of a free representative
government should be developed In
patriotic legislation for the benefit Of a
free people. II the representatives who
here assemble TO make laws for their
fellow -countrymen forget the duty Of
broad and dlsintereseted patriotism. and
leSslate In prejudice and passion, or. in
behalf of sectional and selfish interests
Capitol was laid, and the circumstances
surrounding IT Will not be worth com
memOrating.
THE sentiment and the traditions con-
nected with this structure and its uses
belong to all the people Of the land
They are most valuable as reminders
OF patriotism in the discharge OF public
duty and steadfastness In many strug-
gle FOR the public good. They also fur
nish n standard by which our people
may measure the conduct Of those chosen
90 serve them. The inexorable applica-
tion Of this standard VIII always sup
ply the proof that our countrymen real
| ize the value Of the free institutions
which were designed and built by those
who laid the cornerstone Of their Capt.
| tol, and that they appreciate the neces-
| sity OF constant and Jealous Watchfui-
! ness as a condition Indispensable TO the
preservation of those institutions IN
| their purity and integrity.
| Il believe our fellOw-citizens have no
/ greater nor better cause for rejoicing on
this centennial than IS found in the as
| surance that their public servants who
| assemble In these halls will watch and
| guard the sentiment and traditions that
| gather around this celebration. and that
| in the days to come thofe who shall
again commemorate the laying Of the
cornerstone OF their nations Capitol
will find in the recital Of our perform
| ance Of public duty no less reason for
enthusiasm and oongratulation than We
find in recalling the wisdom and virtue
Of those who have preceded us.
The Interruptions by applause were few
and We're not long kept up; but occA-
sionally the notes Of "DiXie," Ny Mary
land" and Rally Round the Flag" came
over on the air as an accompaniment
not ruch out Of place. After the Presi-
dent had taken his seat there was
round Of applause and then the grand
chorus put i'm its first work with an OK
ceIent rendering Of the "Star Spangled
Banner" This WIS the only part Of the
celebration which seemed TO have much
attraction for the three representatives, Of
Crira and the two representatives Of
Korea, id their official uniforms.
When the last notes cf the Star Span
gled Banner had foatcd away Presi-
dent Cleveland I'm few well-ch0sen re-
r arke, introduced the orator Of the day,
William Writ Henry. and the Grafton was
begun Mr.. Henry spoke IN part as fol-
lows.