The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1893-09-19
or the Laying or the Cornerstone OF
. the National Capitol at Wash.
ington
Fittingly Celebrated In the Presence
or . Great Concourse OF Patriotic
People.
Ceremonies Participated In by Prs
dent and Cabinet, Supreme Benc!,
and Congress.

tlIuI AUU years 6pUp Wu0us hCCOrulnS 10
contemporary accounts, sshis 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 pos
sibly have been more pleasant on that
occasion than the clear skies and buoy
ant sunshine which smiled on the GEN.
tennial commemoration of that great
event. The
Quantity worded Inscription
engraved in 1893. on silver plate
imbedded in the foundation stone, de-
scribes 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 September, 1898, in the
18th year of American Independence,
and in the first year of the second
term Of presidency of George
Washington, whose virtues in the civil
administrations OF his country have
been as beneficial as his military valor
and prudence have been useful, and in
the year of Masonry, f79S, by the presi-
dent of the United States in court with
grand lodge of Maryland, severallodges
under its jurisdiction. and Lodge %
from Alexandria, Thomas johnson,
David Stuart and Danisl Carroll, COM
missioners; Joseph Clark, right wor-
shipfua grand master tsmpore;
James Hoban and Sterhen Halleate,
architects, and Collins Williamson,
master Mason"
The project of celebrating tbs one
hundredsh occurrence OF the day orig
mated with antiquarian citixens Of
East Washington--that pastcf ths city
the original Capitol was Designed to
face and where its founders supposed
the chief residences and public; ofEicss
would be built. 1t was given anatiDaal
importance BY the csncurrent action
and promised participation OF congress.
the presidents. the executive snd' judi-
cial branches sf the government.
The day was ushered in by the ring
ing Of Centennial chimeA
Followed the, Original Ceremonies
Following 40 closely no possible tass
programme OF the original ceremonies
the procession w1s chiefly confined To
civic bodies, under the marshalshiu, of
General Ordway, commanding the Dis
trict national guard. It started shortly
before o'clock, in four divisions, from
in front OF the White House. whiuh
faces Presidents Square (asr Lafayette
Place was called 100 years. ago) from
which point, according to history @the
procession marched two abreast In the
greatest solemn dignity, with masic
playing, drums beating and colors dy-
ing and spectators rejoicing
The modern procession did4not march
s.two by two" or its tail end would NOT
have reached its destination before the
shades Of night had fallen. butitmoved
briskly along the broad Pennsyivania
avenue to the capitol. the or
ganizations four abreast, md
the military in columns of eompaniss,
with brave display Of civis, insignia,
of music, and the plaudits Of ., mighty
eoncourse of spectators The organi-
sxations in line inCluded in the frst
division, Odd Fellows, Oldest Inhabi.
tants. Knights Of Pythias. Elks and
Noble Red Men. s
The second division comprised the
society Of the Cincinnati, the q. Ar
Sons Of the American Revolution.. in
which organizatien are included many
OF the most honersd names. in pnblis
life and which az an Organisation madl
its public debut.
The third division was military and
comprised the District national guard
some regulars and. visiting militA. from
Virginia.
The fourth division was composed q
veteran firemsn and visiting -frs. asse
Citations, Including veterans fron
Brooklyn. New York City, virgini'
and Maryland. s
Presitlent and GahinsA.
At the head Of the procession, follow
ing Grand Marshal Ordway and hi
! well noun ted staff, rode the presiden
of the United States and his cabine
officers. The president rode in an ope
barouche, attended by Hon Beriah Wi
kins, chairman OF the reception CON
mittee, and escorted by squadron Z
United States cavalry, which made
glittering, Gathering show in thei
snowy full dress uniforms, helmet
and waving planes. In the carriae
following the president came the oratt
of the day, Hon. William Writ Henri,
of Virginia, (grandson of Patric
Henry attended by Mr.. Lawren,
Gardner, chairman Of the general con
mittee. The cabinet rode in order ,
rank as named in the presidential su
cession bill, as follows:
Walter @. Gresham, secretary
btate; John g. Carlisle, secretary Of n
treasury; Daniel s. Lamont. secretal
bf war; Richard olney, attorney ge
sral; Wilson s. Bissell, postmaster ge
sral; Hilary A. Herbert. secretary
Il T.f e. ~. -