The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1893-09-21
one HUNDRED 7 EARS AGO.


WHEN THE CORNER STONE OF TIE
CAPITOL8yVAS LAID.
The Centennial Anniversary OF the
Event Observation-Disclosures be-
hvered by President Clcve l:,nd and
Other Notables. s-E
Washington, Sept. 19.-Thcs centennial
anniversary OF the laying Of the corner
stone of the capitol was celebrated SOL
emily and impressively on the broad
plaza that stretches out from the west
front of the capitol yesterday afternoon.
One hundred years ago, to the day and
hour, Washington, the first president OF
the republic, as grand master of the
Free and Accepted Order of Masons,
wearing an apron and sash woven by the
wife OF Lafayette, laid the Foundation
stone of the great marble pile that is now
the admiration of the world. The city
was then village, its broad, sweeping
avenues, magnificent buildings and beau
tlful parks as yet unmarked upon the
map. Escorted by small band OF patri-
otto citizens and Il troop OF soluiery.
Washington, accompanied by his cabinet
and many of the illustrious men OF the
day, rode up the forest-crowned hill on
which the capitol now stands to lay the
corner stone OF that giant structure. Over
the same route yesterday President Cleve-
land was escorted by dashing cavalry,
marching infantry, blaring bands and
vast multitude OF people to add his pres
ence and words to the celebration OF the
anniversary of the event. Not since the
second inauguration of President Cleve-
land have the thoroughfares Of this city
been so thronged with people as they
were yesterday. And not since then has
there been such display Of civic and
military organizations as that of yester-
day. Long before the hour for the pa
rade to start the inhabitants of Washing
ton and the thousands of visitors from far
and near began to assemble along the
sidewalks of the streets through which
it was to pass. They crowded the steps
and porticos of the public buildings they
We're to be seen Oh the housetops and
peering from hundreds of windows il,
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 grand Old ci.Iitol where the exer-
cises were held. And while the people
were gathering along the line of march
there was perfect pandemonium Of
Mortal bands le:Ging the way for sol.
diers and sailors and civic organizations
to the rendezvous whence the parade
was to start. There was the steady
tramp OF the infantry. the rattle and
clash of the cavalry and the rumbling of
| the cannon of the artillery. mingled
| with the clang of the cable Car gong and
| the shouts OF officers giving orders to
| their commands
Everything seemed to be in a hopeless
! ta1gle 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 parade started from the White
House, and here it was the multitude Of
slghtseers was the deepest. A Gordon
of police kept the crowd away from the
| grounds and out of the way of the SOL
diers and civic bodies while they were
| forming in line. Notwithstanding the
f: fears of many, order was at length re-
stored and the procession started from
| the White House to the east front Of
the capitol, over the same route taken
! 100 years ago, when George Washi---.
ton laid the corncr e;vne Of the capit-!.
It was from the White House along
! pennsylvania avenue to the capitol
g1frrds. Gen. Ordway. the chief mar
sinai and his staff, with a squadron of
United States cavalry acting as an es-
cert for President Cleveland, in q car
rrge, led the way, and IS tho chief ex-
ccctlve's carriage passed through the
streets the crowd of watchers honored
him with loud huzzas. Then, in carri-
ages, followed the orator of the day,
| William Writ Henry of Virginia, the GOV
en- trs OF the various states, Chairman
l.:Wrtnce Gald er and the specially in
Vlted guests, Troop A, of the district
national guard bringing up the rear.
Aftel this escort c: me the Iirst d.
| vision proper, under the command of
Mar: hal Robert Boyd. This division was
composed Of civic organizations. The Soc
| ond division was ulder command of Fl.
| q. Gibson, as marshal, and in this d.
| vision were the Society of Cincinnati
| Sons Of the American Revolution, Sons
| OF the Revolution, Aztec Club of 1917.
| Veterans of the Mexican War. Old
! Guard. Grand Army of the Republic,
Sons of Veterans and the National Rifles.
The third division was composed entirely
OF United States regulars and District of
Columbia and visiting militia. The fourth
and last division Of the parade lad for
its commander Marshal James H. Rich
ards. 1t was composed of the veteran
firemen of the District of Columbia and
| similar organizations from other parts of
the country.
| Arriving at the capitol the parade was
disbanded and the ceremonies of the day
We're begun on the stand erected ut the
east front of the capitol. There was all
overture by the United States Marine
band The Rt. Rev. William PARROT.
bishop of Maryland, invoked the blessing
| of God, after which '"Te Deum" was
| sung by a chorus of 1000 voices. .
| The. United States Marine band now
played selection, after which the ora
tor Of the day, William Writ Henry: u
descendant of Patrick Henry, the revo-
lutionary statesman and patriot, was in
| troduced.
Following Mr.. Henry, President Cleve
land, Vice President Stevenson and 9TH
ers made addresses. u s.s.. =