Huntsville gazette., 1893-09-23
CAPITOL CENTENNIAL.
The Corner Stone Of the National
Capitol at Washington
Has Lain In It's Place Century-The
Fact Duly COMMUNICATED by
Grand Parade and Other
Appropriate Exercises.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 19.-Though the
day is said to have been fair and beau
tlful 100 years ago, when, according to
contemporary accounts his excel
lency, President George Washington,
crossed the Potomac into Maryland'
(meaning the 10 miles square decided
by Maryland and Virginia for the site
OF the national capitaD, and, escorted
by Virginia and Maryland troops and
masonic and other civic bodies, moved
in procession to Capitol hill and there
laid the cornerstone of the national
capitol. the weather could not possibly
have been more pleasant on that occa-
sion than the clear skies and buoyant
sunshine which smiled on the CEN
tennlal commenoration of that great
event.
| The quaintly-worded inscription en-
| graved in 1893 on silver plate i'm
bedded in the foundation stone describes
the historic occurrence with terseness
as follows:
This southeast cornerstone of the capitol OF
the United States of America. in the city of
| Washington, was laid on the 18th day OF Sep
tember, 1793 in the thirteenth year OF
American independence, and in the first
year OF the second term of the presidency
| OF George Washington, whose virtues in the
civil administration of his country have been
as beneficial as his military valor and prudence
nave been useful, and in the year of masonry
o193, by the president of the United States in
concert with the grand lodge Of Maryland, sew
| eral lodges under its jurisdiction and lod re %
from Alexandria Thomas Johnson, David Stu
art and Daniel Carroll commissioners: Joseph
| Clark, right worshipful grand master pro tenn
pore; James Hoban and Stephen Halleates
architects, and Collins Williamson, master
| mason.
The project of celebrating the one
hundredth recurrence of this day orig
mated with antiquarian citizens of
East Washington-that part of the
| city which the original capitol was de-
| signed to face and where its founders
| supposed the chief residences and pub
| lie offices would be built. 1t was given
national Importance by the concur
rent action and promised participation
| of congress, and the president and the
executive and judicial branches of the
| government.
The day was ushered in by the ring
Following as closely as possible the
| programme of the original ceremonies
| the procession was chiefly confined to
civic bodies, under the marshalship of
| Gen. Ordway, commanding the district
national guard. 1t started shortly be-
| fore D. M, in four divisions, from in
| front of the White House, which faces
Presidents Square las Lafayette
place was called 100 years ago.,
from which point, according to
history, 'the procession marched two
abreast in great and solemn dignity,
with music playing. drums beating,
colors flying and spectators rejoicing" :"
The modern procession did not march
''two and two" or its tail end would not
have reached it's destination before the
shades of night had fallen, but it
moved briskly along Pennsylvania av-
enue to the capitol, the civic organiza-
tions four abreast, and the military in
column of companies, with brave dis
play of civic insignia, much music, and
the plaudits of mighty concourse of
spectators.
! The organizations in line included
in the first division, odd fellows, Old
est Inhabitants, Knights of Pythias,
elks and Noble Redmen."
| The second division comprised the
Society of the Cincinnati, the G. A. r.
and Mexican veterans, and the "Sons
of the American Revolution" in which
organization are included many of the
most honored names in public life and
which as an organization made its pub
lie debut to-day.
The third division was military and
comprised the district national guard,
some regulars, and visiting militia
from Virginia.
The fourth division was composed OF
veteran firemen and visiting fire as
sociations, including veterans from
Brooklyn, New York city, Virginia and
Maryland.
At the head of the procession, imme
diately following Grand Marshal Ord
way and his well-mounted staff, rode
the president of the United States and
his cabinet in carriages. The president
rode in a barouche attended by Hon
Beriah Wilkins, chairman of the recep-
ton committee, and escorted by a
squadron of United States cavalry,
which made glittering, clattering
show in their snowy full-dress uni
forms, helmets and waving plumes. In
the carriage following the president
came the orator of the day, Hon. Viii
liam Written Henry, of Virginia
(grandson of Patrick Henry, attended
by Mr. Lawrence Gardner, chairman
of the general committee The cabinet
rode in order of rank as named in the
presidential succession bill, as follows
Walter Q. Gresham, secretary OF state
John G. Carlisle, secretory of the
treasury; Daniel S. Lamont, secre
tarv of war; Richard Olney
attorney general; Wilson s
Bissell, postmaster general; Hilary
A. Herbert, secretary of the navy; Hoke
Smith, secretary of the interior; j.
Sterling Morton, secretary of agricul
ture. Each cabinet officer was attended
bv two members of the committee OF
arrangements.
After the cabinet officers came Bishop
rarct Of Maryland, chaplain Of ths