The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-09-19
S:H0E

inose WIZ When ne that we are simply
engaged ir'n the emorating the begin
ming Of ma -yns,nt struct ore devoted
to importants Mic uses have over.
looked the usei land improving lesson
OF the hour. We celebrate the laviur
OF corner stone from which has sprung
the splendid edifice whose grand pro-
portions >arouse the pride OF eyery
American citiztn but our celebrat ion
IS chiefly valuable and significant be-
cause this edifice was designed and
planned by great and good men as a
place where the principles of free rep
resentative legislation for the bene6s
OF tho people is to be seen.
If represent atives who here as
semble to make laws for their fellow
countrymen forget tho duty of broad
and disinterested patriotism and leeis.
late in prejudice and passion in behalf
OF sectional and selfish interest, the
time when the cornerstone of our Capi.
toll was laid and the circumstances sur
rounding 1t will not be worth commem-
Grating.
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 a strug.
gle for the public good. They also fur
nish standard by which our people
may measure the conduct of those
chosen to serve them. The inexorable
application of this standard will always
supply proof that ou- countrymenl real.
ize tho value of the free institutions
which were designed and built by those
who laid the cornerstone OF their Capitol
10
OF constant and jealous watchfulness as
condition indispensable to the preser-
walton OF those institutions in their
purity and integrity.
1 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 will watch
and guard the sentiment and traditions
that gather around this celebration and
that in the days to come those who
snail again comm emorate 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 congratulations than we
lind in recalling the wisdom and virtue
OF those who have preceded us.
After the President had taken his
seat there was round Of applause and
then the grand chorus put in it's first
work with an excellent rendering OF the
"Star Spangled Banner" When the last
notes had aoated away President Cleye.
land In few we'll chosen remarks intro
duced tho orator OF the day. William
Writ Henry and the Grafton was begun.
The voice of the speaker was weak
ana low, and his words were inaudible
beyond circle of ten or twelve feet.
meantime the multitude became very
dense as tho crowds, which had been
watching the procession, added their
numbers to those weo had already filled
up the vast space in front. Some
women tainted and some had to be
taken in the police patrol wagon, but
for the hour or more during which Mr..
Henry read his address the greatest pa.
thence and best good humor were mani
tested by the crowd.
at the close of the Grafton OF Mr..
Henry the Marine Band. together with
the chorus, rendered the magnificent
tie deum in e fiat by Dudley Buck The
next speaker was Vice President Stew.
enson, who was introduced in brief
but appropriate speech by President
Cleveland. The Vice Presidents voice
rose above the crowd and he was heard
perhaps better than any OF the speakers
who had preceded him His brief
speech was puuctuated frequently by
the applause of the crowd who enioyed
1t because they could hear it
In introducing Speaker Crisp, of the
House OF Representative, the President
paid brief tribute to that branch of
the Legislative body, and said if the
rights OF tho people were neglected in
the House 1t would not be the fault OF
the distinguished Speaker whom he in
PRODUCED
The shadows of the great building
wero falling we'll toward the east when
President Cleveland presented Associate
Justice Brown, who represented the
Supreme Court Of the United States in
the ceremonies.
AS the hour was growing late Com.
missioner Parker, representing the
board Of com missioners of the District
of Columbia, Immediately followed
Justice Brown. Following Parker's
speech the Marine Band played Amer.
lea, and the crowd dispersed, Mr.. Cleve.
land receiving q round OF cheers as he
entered his carriage