Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1893-09-21
THE CAPITOL CENTENNIAL.

WASHINGTON, Sept lS.-Phough the
day is said to have been fair and beauti-
full 100 years ago, when, according to
contemporary accounts, Ellis Excel
lency President George Washington
crossed the Potomac into Maryland"
meaning the 10 miles square decided by
Maryland aud Virginia for site of the
national capitol and, escorted by Vir-
ginia and Maryland troops and Masonic
and other civic bodies, moved in pro-
cession to Capitol Hill, and there laid
the cornerstone Of the national capitol,
the weather could not possibly have
been more pleasant on that occasion
than the clear skies and buoyant sun
shine which smiled on the centennial
commemoration of that great event to-
day.
The day was ushered in by the ring
ing of centennial chimes. Following as
closely as possible the program of the
original ceremonies, the procession was
chiefly confined to civic bodies, under
the marshalship of General Ordway,
commanding the District National
Guard. 1t started shortly before l
o'clock in four divisions, from in front
of the White House, which faces "Pres-
ident's Square" las Lafayette Place was
called 100 years ago., from which point,
according TO history, "the procession
marched two abreast in the greatest
solemn dignity, with music playing,
drums beating and colors flying and
spectators rejoicing"
The modern procession did not march
two and two" or lis tail end would not
have reached its destination before the
shades of night had fallen, but 1t moved
briskly along the broad Pennsylvania
avenue to the capitol, the civic organiza-
tons four abreast, and the military in
columnIof companies, with q brave dis
play of every insignia, much music and
the plaudlts of a mighty concourse of
spectators.
The organizations in line included !;
In the first division, Odd Fellows, Oldest
inhabitants, knights of Phythias, Elks
and Red Men.
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 or
ganization are included many of the
most Lonored names in public life, and
which as an organization made its pub
| lie debut to-day.
\ The third division was military, end
comprised the District National Guard,
some regulars and visiting militia from
Virginia.
The fourth division was composed of
veteran firemen and visiting fire asso-
Citations, including veterans from Brook
lyn, New York, Virginia and Maryland.
THE PRESIDENT IN THE LINE.
At the head of the procession, i'm
| mediately following Grand Marshal
Ordway and his well-mounted staff,
rode the President Of the United States
and his cabinet officers, The President
rode in an open harouche, attended by
Hon. Beriah Wilkins, chairman of the
reception committee, and escorted by q
squadron of United States cavalry,
which made a glittering, Gathering
show in their snowy, full.dress uni
forms, helmets and waving plumes.
In the carriage following the Presi-
dent, came the orator of the day, Hon.
William Writ Henry of Virginia, grand
son of Patrick Henry, attended by Mr..
Lawrence Gardner, chairman Of the
general committee, The cabinet rode
DENTAL succession bill, as follows:
i WALTER VI TFSSudl1lI CCCEcldIN VI
State; John G. Carlisle, Secretary OF
the Treasury; Daniel s. Lamont, Secre-
tary 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, Secre-
tary of Agriculture.
Each cabinet officer was attended by
two members of the committee on ar
rangements.
| After the cabinet officers came Bishop
Paret of Maryland, chaplain Tor the day,
in his episcopal robes. Then came AS
sociate Justices Brown and Field, repre-
senting the United States Supreme
Court, and efter them, the joint commit
tee of Congress, the commissioners OF
the District, the judiciary of the Dis
trict, The Society OF Cincinnati and the
general committee.
Mrs. Perrine, Mrs. Cleveland's mother
escorted by Private Secretary Thurber
and accompanied by Miss Thurber, en-.
tered the Presidents carriage early in
the morning and dove up to the capitol
tolwitness the proceedings.
Arriving at the capitol shortly after
o'clock, tho parade was dismissed and
the ceremonies of commemoration were
commenced from stands erected on the
east front, and in the presence Of an
immense concourse of spectators.
The musical part OF the programme
was exceedingly notable and effective.
First the Marine Band, under the leader
ship of Prof. ,Fanciulli, rendered. the
overture from "Tannhauser." Then
after Bishop Paret's brief and eloquent
prayer, closing with the entreatJ
that if sit should be the Divine
will "that the end of another centur,
these walls shall still be standing, gran
they may stand with our nations trutt
and honor steadfast, untarnished.
Dudley Bucks magnificent "Te Deun
in d fat was rendered by chorus O.
I 1900 trained voices, under the leader
ship of Prof. N. Dushane Coward.
As the majestic chords of this su
perbly rendered composition died away
the oratorical part Of the proceeding
began by Mr., Lawrence Gardner, in al
address of welcome which had the meri
of being as brief as it was appropriate
THE PRESIDENT MAKES A SPEECH,
Then President Cleveland was intro
duced and received an ovation.
The President made a brief speech
ard was followed by William Wir
Henry, Yice-President Stevenson anS
Speaker Crisp.
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