The Bessemer indicator., 1893-09-23
ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO.
Cslebrat atIon of the Laying OF '"e e''"'
stone of the Capitol at Warrington

Celebration of the Laying u '
stou. of the Capitol at Warrington
The one hupdredth anniversary OF the lay
ing Of the corner stone Of the eapi'o'
Warrington was celebrated there on 'ne 'o'"
The impressive ceremonies were hein on "
big platform extending out IRON the '"9
front OF the capitol into the spacious plaza
A tremendous crowd swarmed over anu
about the capitol. Cavalry infantry arm
lery, and civilian companies made 'hc s''"e
bright with color. ,,,,
The procession started from the Nhi'e
House 10 the east front Of the eaplto' over
the same route taken 100 years ago "hen
George Washington laid the corner stone o.
the taritol General Ordway, the chiei
marshal. and his star. -ith asquadron oil
United States cavalry acting n. IN eseor' ior
President Cleveland in carriage icu '''
way, and as the chief EXECUTIVES caf''"s. :,
passed through the street. the crowds "a
watchers honored him with load hnEzas
President Cleveland, accompanied pY ths
Cabinet, the speakers and the memoefs OF
the committee ON arrangements arr'eu
early. Mr.. Cleveland was instantly recos
nized and was greeted with great cheer
whlch he Acknowledged by lifting MS nat
The presidential party was followed oE 'h'
members of the Hou.e and Senate, the Judges
of the Supreme Court aud other dlgnltaf4es
OF the government.
The marine band, directed hy Professor
fancedlli and swelling chorus ol l'sVu
trained voices under tie direction OF PROBES,
.or Dushnne Cloward, rendered the nu-i'al
selections, which included In me cou's' u
the programme all the national airs.
The presidents speech was delivered as MI
Of his speeches are, without notes. lie stood
with his glasses careessly held behind Lin in
bis right hand, his left resting easy Oh the
stand In front As he faced the vast audience
with his head barred The lock Of half whleh
curls upon his forehead WAS llltcd IKE II
feather and blown to the rear The rugged
healthy glow In his checks, and the hrn''
strong, upright pose OF his bearing, did much
to allay any anxiety on the part OF those WHO
have been troubled about the recent rumuFs
concerning the presidents health. Ills voice
was strong and penetrating aud his gestures
vigorous This was especially the case when
he turned full and fair on tic assembled
Hou-e and Senate and told them "lf tho
Lawmakers disregard the duty OF broad aud
dslnterestcd patriotism, and legIsiate In
prejudice and passion, or In behalf OF see
tional and selfish Interests the time when the
corner -toue OF our capitol wss laid and the
circumstances surrounding It, will H0t be
worth commc norating." The added tone oil
defiance and warning with which Mr.. Cleye-
land said this, and the ringing applause that
greeted it, gave II peculiar significance to his
words
He spoke as follows
Jwhllc accept with much satisfaction he
part assigned TO me on this occasion cannot
escape what these ceremonies suggest. Those
who suppose we are simply engaged in com
memoratlng the beginning Of a magnificent
structure devoted to public uses have over
looked the most useful and improving Lesson
of the hour
I'VE do Indeed celebrate the laying OF q
cornerstone from which has spfuhg the
splendid eiifcc whose grand proportions
arouse the pride of every American but our
celebration Is chiefly valuable and significant
because this edifce was designed and planned
by great and good men, as a plHce where the
principles Of free representative govern
ment should be developed in patriotic legi-la-
ton for the benefit OF a free people II the
representatives who here assemble TO make
laws for their fellow countrymen forget the
duty OF broad and dlslutcrested patriotism,
and legislate in prejudice and passion, or In
behalf of sectional OF selfish interests, the
time when the cornerstone of our capitol
was laid, and the circumstances surrounding
It, will not be worth commemoratlng.
The sentiment and traditions connected
with this structure and site as used belong To
all the people of the land. They are most
valuable reminders Of patriotism In tie dis
charge OF public duty and steadfastness in
many struggle for the public good. They
also furnish standard by which our people
may measure the conduct Of those chosen to
serve them. The incNorable application Of
this standard will aiways supply proof that
our countrymen realize the value OF the free
Institutions which were designed and built by
those who laid the cornerstone Of their capi.
tol, and that they appreciate The necessity OF
constant and jealous wntchfulness as n condi.
ton Indispensable 10 the preservation Of those
institutions in their purity and integrity.
~ 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 scntl-
ment and traditions that gather round this
celebration, and that in the days TO come
those who shall again commemorate the lay
ing OF the cornerstone of their nations capt.
tol will find in their recital of our performance
of public duty no less reason for enthusiasm
and congratulat!on than we find in recalling
the wisdom aud virtue of those who preceded
u.s.
Speeches were also made by William Writ
Henry. descendant OF Patrick Henry, Vice
President Stevenson, Speaker Crisp, Justice
Brown OF the United States supreme Court,
and Myron Parker, commissioner of the DIS
trict of Columbia.
As consequence of some trouble between
the Catholic organizations and the Masonic
lodges over the part to be taken In the cen
tennial celebration by Cardinal Gibbons
both parties In dispute Withdrew from par-
ticipatlon.