Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1893-09-21
AFTER A CENTURY.
Anniversary of the Laying of the
Capitol Corner Stone.
The Event Celebrated in an Enthusiastic
Manner in Washington ~ Civic and
Military Parades and Patriot
ic Speeches INDUCED In.
A MEMORABLE OCCASION.


WASHINGTON. Sept. 10. George Wash
ington laid the corner stone of the ma
tional capitol 100 years ago. The event
meant much more than any like cere-
mony that had preceded it. The
federal constitution had been adopt
ed. Two congresses had been
held. Washington had been reelected
The republic which was to stand
forth before posterity's eyes as
the grandest achievement of all the
ages was an accomplished fact.
Since then a century has passed. The
nation has borne fruit according to its
promise. The thirteen states have
grown to forty -four; the few million of
inhabitants to nearly seventy. But
three wars have disturbed the country's
peace since then, and in all of these
the union triumphed.
THE PROCESSION.
As was the case 100 years ago, when
the father of mis- country was escorted
over the same ground over which
President Cleveland rode. the civ
ic organizations predominated. There
were four divisions, not includ-
ing the presidents escort
The procession moved promptly at
o'clock, and passing through Pennsyl-
vania avenue arrived at the capitol
shortly after , o'clock, when the parade
was dismissed and the ceremonies of
commemoration were commenced from
stands erected ON the east front in the
presence of AN immense concourse of
spectators
CLEvEIAND's ADDRESS.
Lawrence Gardner after an address
of welcome, introduced the president as
chairman of ceremonies, and he spoke
as follows:
"Those who suppose that we are simply en-.
gagged in commemorative the beginning OF
magnificent structure devoted 10 important
public uses have overlooked the most useful
and improving lesson Of the hour We do in
deed celebrate the laying Of corner stone
from which has sprung the splendid edihce
whose grand proportions arouse the pride Of
every American citizen; but our celebration is
chiefly valuable and significant because this
edifice was designed and planned by great and
good men as place where the principles OF a
free representative government should be
developed in patriotic legislation for the
benefit OF a free people If repre-
laws for their fellow countrymen forget the
duty OF broad ana dsinterested patriotism and
legislate in prejudice and passion or in behalf
of sectional ana selfish interests. the time when
the corner stone of our capitol was laid and the
circumstances surrounding IL will not be worth
commemorative
The sentiment and the traditions connected
with this structure and its uses belong 10 all
the people Of the land They are most valu-
able as reminders OF patriotism in the dis
charge of public duty and stcadfastness
in many a struggle for the public good.
They also furnish a standard By which
our people measure the conduct OF those
chosen 10 serve them The inexorable APP
plicaticn Of this standard Will always supply
proof that our countrymcn realize the value Of
the free institutions which were designed and
built by those who laid the corner stone OF
their capitol, and that they appreciate the ne.
cessity of constant and Jealous watchfulness
as a condition indispensable to the preserve
ton Of these institutions in their purity and ii
tegrity
Il believe our fellow citizens have no greater
nor better cause for rejoicing on this centennial
than is found in the assurance that their public
servants who assemble in these halls viii watch
and guard the sentiment and traditions that
gather around this celebration ana that in the
days TO come those who shall again commem-
crate the laying of the corner stone OF their ma
tion's capitol will find in the recital Of on. per
Torrance OF public duty no less reason for en-
thusiasm and congratulations than we find in
recalling the wisdom and virtue OF those who
have preceded us
OTHER ADDRESSES.
After the presidents address the ora
tor Of the day, William Writ Henry, Of
Virginia. delivered an Grafton, which
was followed by historical address
III, tbe vipe t,residpnt
The exercises closed with a speech by
Commissioner Myron VI. Parker for the
district government and the rendering
Of America by the Marine band,
chorus and audience