Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1893-02-23


WEATHER PROBABILITIES thi:
...criou Increasing cloudiness, probably follOy
~ bv Eaht showers during the night gener
sIfy f.ir on Friday. clearing III the early POI
,ian al. The day south to west winds; warmer
FRIDAY morning and probably warmer Friday
evening
CLosIyG FEsT1vITIEs.-Though there
wa. no general celebration of the Tween
ty-second Of February in this city yes
ter3av. the night was one of the most
festiye the city has witnessed for years.
Tbr occasion was celebrated by Wash
;nrron Lodge of Masons with Andrew
Jackson Lodge and all Master NasCns
in rood standing as their guests. and
~. Inc Hvdraulion and Columbia Steam
Fira Engine Companies. II being tie
anniversary of the birth OF General
George Washington, who was fireman
IS well as Mason, il was in order for
tbc occasion to be celebrated by both
organizations.
The members Of Washington Lodge,
with their invited guests, met Ill 4 hap
nv reunion in the Masonic Temple
aiout cigbt o o'clock. and after the usual
onenirc exercises, and the object OF the
c5lled meeting having been stated,
Tnpior Deacon +. 4. Anderson delivered
one of the finest orations on the life OF
General Washington that was ever lis
teped to here. lie portrayed the life of
tbe illustrious chieftain rom early boy
mood until he surrendered his soul to
God vino gave it. The speaker was
graphic aud iervent and he handled his
subject in mastery manner. He was
;usiIy applauded Icy the hundred or
more Master Masons who were present.
After the lodge had ceased its la5ors
the members and their guests proceeded
20 the upper chamber, the asylum OF
Old Dominion Commandely, which had
been metamorphosed into banquet
hall, and which presented as dazzling
appearance as that Of Ahasuerus Of old.
There we're hangings OF purple and
blue. candelebra of all colors, tables
set in the shape OF maltese crosses,
ferns. exotics and everything else at
tractve and suggestive. The menu,
which had been prepared by Mr.. VIM.
Steuernagcl, was on an elaborate scale.
The tables gr0aned under load OF the
most enticing viands. which had been
arrayed in the most inviting manner
Worshipful Master John r. Chapman
took his place at the head OF the
table ana raped the company to or
der and after Worshipful Brother
Kempcr mad invoked the customary
blessing. i genuine Masonic feast was
INDUCED in by the company. Course
followed course until cheering punch
aud cigars We're circulated and Past
Worsmpful hemper, who had been
deputed postmaster for the occasion,
made short and appropriate address,
in which he alluded 10 the ancient
feasts and extended his appreciation OF
the fact that he had been made toast
master Of the occasion. The first toast,
Washington" was responded TO by
the POSTMASTER himself in Il mastery
manner. The Grand Lodge OF Viz
ginia, brought Mr. F. A. Reed, Grand
Senior Deacon. to his feet, and that
gentleman in one of his best efforts
handled the sentiment in q very COM
mendable manner, completely exhaust
ing his subject and tracing Masonry
beyond the confines of history until the
mysteries of the craft We're lost amid
the pyramids of Egypt and the peri
CARNATIONS of Abraham. \ letter from
Grand Master W. s. Iaacs was next
read by Toastmaster Kemper, in which
the writer regretted his inability to be
present The toast Charity" WAS re-
sponded 10 by Past Grand Master VIM.
II. Lambert. His remarks were couch
ed in classic and pathetic language. and
received well-merited plaudits. Toast
master kcmper at the conclusion of the
Past Grand Masters remarks, spoke Of
the amicablc relations existing between
Washington and Andrew Jackson
Lodges and expressed on the part Of
Washington Lodge the appreciation Of
the fact that Andrew Jackson Lodge
was present on the festive occasion.
Past Master 7. II. Netherland respond
ed on the part of Jackson Lodge in a
few well-timed and happy remarks.
Masonry WAS the next toast an
nonuced. and Past Master y. ". Arm
strong. who was ut his best, brought
down the house by his mastery re-
Spouse His remarks were fervent
pertinent and duly appreciated. Past
MasterJ. L. Alexander responded when
the toast Woman was announced.
The speaker proved himself cnual TO
the occasion in every particular, and no
daughter of Eve who could have been
present world have had any more fem
mime virtues TO suggest after the speak
CT had finished. Junior Deacon 7. L.
Anderson, in his response TO the Ora
tor Of the Evening was feryent and
earnest in the short speech he made
and elected great applause. y toast so
our absent brethren Especially Broth
er Charles Woodherry) was then drunk ,
and last of all The Press was an
nounced, Messrs. :. J. Donahue, and
Hubert Snowden responding in short
and apt speeches which elected much
applause and merriment. About mid
night the company adjourned. after
having spent several hours amid much
mirth and real enjoyment. During the
evening. Past Master Kempef an
nounccd that Past Master Chas. Wood
berry, of Beverly, Mass, Lodge, had
presented Washington Lodge with a
piece of the historic Plymouth Rock
which would be formally accepted al
the regular meeting Tonight.
On ST. Johns Day 1854, the RECORDS
say that Washington was visitor o.
Alexandria Lodge, No 50, and that after
the lo1re had proceeded TO John Wise's