The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1893-09-18
loo YEARS THE CAPITOL
The Event Celebrated Today
With Grand Ceremony
at Washington.
PARTICIPANTS IN THE PARADE.
President Cleveland Introduced as
the Worthy Successor of
Washington.

WASHINGTON, Sept. IS. 1898. .-Thoug b
the DAY is said to have been fair and
beautiful 100 years ago when. according
to contemporary accounts, "His Excel
lency President George Washington
crossed the Potomac Into Maryland"
(meaning the ten miles square decided
by Maryland Virginia for the
site OF the National CapitaN and
escorted by Virginia and Maryland
troops and Masonic and other civic bodies
moved in procession to Capitol Hill. aud
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 bnoyant sun
shine that smiled on the centennial COM
memorstion of that great event today.
The quaintly worded Inscription en-
graved IN 1893 on silver plate impedded
in the foundation stone describes the
historic occurrence with terseness as
follows:-
This southeast corner stone OF the Capitol of
the United States of America. in the City of
Washington, was laid on the September 49, 1898,
In tue thirteen year of American independence,
Presidency of George Washington, whose vir-
tues in the civil administration Of his country
have been as beneficial as his military valor and
prudence have been useful. and Ia the year of
masonry 579S by the President of the United
States in concert with the Grand Lodge of
Maryland. several lodges under its jurisdiction,
and Lodge No. % from Alexandria Thomas
johnson, David Stewart and Daniel Carroll,
/ Commissioners; Joseph Clark. Right Worship
ful Grand Mater pro tempore; James Huban
and Stephen Halleats. Arch itects, and Collins
Williamson, Master Mason.
The day was ushered in by the ringing
of centennial chimes.
Following as closely as possible the
programme OF the original ceremonies.
the programme was chiefly confined to
civic bodies, under the marshalship of
Gen. Ord way. commanding the District
National Guard.
1t st arted shortly before one o'clock, IN
four divisions, from IN front of the White
House, which faces Presidents square"
(as Lafayette place was called 100 years
ago. from which point according to his
tory. the procession marched TWO abreast
in The greatest solemn dignity. with
music PLAYING. drums beating and celors
flying, and spectators rejoicing.
The modern procession did not march
two and two. or its tail end would not
have reached its destination before the
shades of night had falleu. but it moved
briskly along the broad Pennsylvania
avenue to the Capitol. the civic crganiza>
tions four abreast and the military In
column of companies. with brave dis
play OF civic 1nsignia, much music. and
the plaudits of y mighty concourse of
spectators.
THE PARTICIPANTS.
The organizations in line included, in
the first division. Odd Fellows, Oldest
Inhabitants, Knights of Pvthias, Elks
and "Nobie Red Men," The second
division comprised the Society of the
'Cincinuati. 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 public debut
today. The third division WAS military
and comprised the District National
Guard, some regulars and visiting
n ilitia from Virginia. The fourth
division was composed Of veteran fremen
and visiting fire associations, including
veterans from New York, Brooklyn,
Virginia and Maryland.
AT the head of the procession, imme- |
diately following Grand Marshal Ordway |
aud his well mounted Staff, rode the |
President of the United States and mis- |
Cabinet officers. The President rode In |
su oDen barouche attended by Hon.
Beriah Wilkins, Chairman of the Recep- |
tion Committee. and escorted by a so uad
ron OF U. S. cavalry which made fine, |
clattering snow, in their snowy full dress |
uniforms. helmets and waving plumes, /
In the carriage following the President, |
came the orator OF the day, William |
WIT Henry, of Virginia, (grandson of |
renee Gardner, Chairman of the General |
Committee. The Cabinet rode In |
order of rank as named in |
the Presidential succession bill, |
THE CEREMONIES.
Arrived at the capitol shortly after |
two o'clock, the parade was dismissed |
and the ceremonies of commemoration
weIe commenced from stands erected on |
tne east front, and In the presence of an
Immense concourse OF spectators. The
part of the programme was
exceedingly notable and effsct i've.
Mr. Lawrence Gardner in an address
of welcome which had the merit of being
as brief as 1t was appropriate. introduced
to the audience ''ae chairman of cere-
monies, the worthy successor of WASH
iugton. the President of the United
States, Grover Cleveland
President Cleveland. who had been
greeted with warm applause all the way
en- route to the Capitol, received a still
more anthuaiastfc walcama