Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1893-09-19
THE CAPITOL CENTENNIAL.


George Washington as ,'.Worshjpfui
Master OF the Lodge of Virginia" with
Masonic rites, laid the conversations
OF the building. which by slow, stages
for seventy-five years thereafter, grew
into one OF the most magnificent
structures in the world. Washington
on that occasion wore q sash and
apron woven by Lafayette's wife.
The city was then a mere, village, but
escorted by small band of patriotic
citizens and troop of soldiers, the
Father Of his Country proceeded
from the White House along Pennsyl-
vania Avenue to the east front Of the
capitol, over the same route taken
to day by President Cleveland and a
great parade, official; civic and mill.
tary.
The exercises were began with
music by the celebrated Marine Band.
Then Bishop Paret of Maryland Of
ferea prayer, and chorus of fifeteen
hundred voices sang the "Te Deum,"
after which Chairman Gardner de-
livered a briet address, succintly
sketching the remarkable growth and
development Of the United States
during the past hundred years, clos
ing by introducing as chairman OF
the ceremonies "the worthy successor
OF Washington" the President of the
United States, Grover Cleveland.
The President was given a most
enthusiastic greeting, and delivered
brief, characteristic and appropriate
address, as follows: :.. ... ......
"While I accept with much salts
faction the post assigned me on this
occasion, I cannot escape the sober
reflections which these ceremonies
suggest. Those who suppose we are
simply engaged 10 the commemora-
ton of the beginning of magnificent
structure devoted TO public uses over
look the most useful and improving
lesson Of the hour. We do indeed
celebrate the laying Of the corner
stone from which has sprung this
splendid edifice, whose grand proper
tions arouse the pride Of evory Ameri
can citizen; but our celebration is
chiefly valuable and significant be
cause this edifice was designed and
planned by great and good men as
the place where the principles Of q
free representative government
should be developed by patriotic leg
islation for the benefit OF free peo-
pie. If the representatives who here
assemble TO make the laws for their
fellow countrymen forget the duty OF
broad, disinterested patriotism for
prejudice and passion on behalf of
sectional self interests theytime whom
this cornerstone Of ours was laid and
the circumstances surrounding It
would not be worth commemoration,
for the sentiment and traditions con.
nected with this structure and lts
uses belong to all the people OF the
land. They are the most valuable
reminders Of patriotism in the dis
charge of public duty and steadfast-
ness in many struggles for the public
good. They also furnish a standard
by which our people may measure
the conduct of those chosen to Serve
them, and the inexorable application
OF this standard will always supply
tho proof that our country realize
the value Of the free institutions de-
signed and built by those who laio
the corner stone'ot their capitol, auo
that they appreciate the necessity OF
. constant, jealous Hatctfnlness ot
tho constitution az indispene able &c
the preservation OF these institu tior,
In theiy purity and integrity. I be-
leve,apr fellow citizens have no bot
tor or greater cause for rejoicing or
'this centennial than that those r hull,
will watch and guard the sentiment.