The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-09-19
THE CAPITOL'S CENTENNIAL.
CELEBRATING TEE LAYING OF TEE
CORNER STONE IN 1793.

rb. Procession Move. Over Nearly I'll,
sam, Route as that which Escorted
President washington TO Capitol lIii
one Hundred Years Ago = President
,,.v.,nnd as Master of Ceremonies De,
uyers an Address-wiiiinm Writ Henry
Grandson of Patrick Henry, the Orator
or tho Dny-Addresses Delivered by Vice.
President Stevenson, Speaker Crisp. sud
Justice brown OF tho Supreme Court,
WASHINGTON. Sept. 1S.-Though the day is
aid 70 have been fair and beautiful one hun
drcd Years ago. when. according to contem DO
,ary accounts. his Excellency President George
Washington crossed tho Potomac into Mary
land tmeaning the ten-mile square decided by
MARYLAND and Virginia for the site OF the
national capital, and. escorted by Virginia
and Maryland troops and Masonic and other
civic bodies. moved In procession to Capitol
unl and there laid tho corner stone OF the
national Capitol, the weather could not posi-
bly have been more pleasant on that occasion
than tho clear skies and buoyant sunshine
which smiled on the centennial commemora-
zion OF that great event to-day. The quantity
Nor9ed inscription engraved in 1893 on silver
Mate imbedded in the foundation stone de-
scribcs the historic occurrence with terscness
as follows
rhi. sortneRs. corner stone of the Capitol OF the
United states Of America in tho city OF Washington
was laid on the 18th day September 1898 in the thir
,eeu,n year OF American Independence. and in the
sr.t wear of the second term of the Presidency Of
George Washington, whose virtues in tho civil admin
rauns Of his country have been as beneficial as his
military valor and prudence have been useful. and in
the YEAR OF Masonry 57v3. by the President of tho
United statdR in concert with the Grand Lodge OF
Jurisdiction.
Lodge - from Alexandria
Thomas johnson. David Stcuart and Daniel Carroll.
Commissioners; Joseph Clark. Right worshipful Grand
Master rro tsnpoTe: James Hoban and Stephen Hall
cate architects and Collins Williamson Master Mason.
Tho project Of celebrating the one hum
drcdth recurrence of this day originated with
antiquarian citizens Of East Washington
that part Of the city which the original capt.
tol was designed to face. and where its found
ers vainly supposed the chief residences and
nublic Offices would be built National i'm
portance was given it by the concurrent action
and promised participation OF Congress. the
President. and the executive and judicial
branches OF the Government.
The day was ushercd in by the ringing OF
centennial chimes. Following as closely as
possible tho programme Of the original cere-
monies. tho procession was chiefly confined to
civic bodies. under the marshaiship OF Gen.
Ordway. commanding the District National
Guard 1t started shortly before P. NJ. in four
divisions from in front OF the White House.
which faces Presidents square" las Lafay-
cite place was called 100 years ago.. from
which point. according to history. tho pro-
cession marched two abreast in the greatest
solemn dignity. with music playing. drums
beating and colors flying. and spectators re-
ioicing"
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 fallen: but it moved briskly along
the broad Pennsylvania avenue to the Capitol.
the civic organizations four abreast and the
military in column OF companies. with brave
display Of civic insignia. much music. and the
plaudits OF mighty concourss Of spectators.
The organizations in line included. in the
FIRST division. Odd Fellows. Oldest Inhabitants.
Knights OF Pythias. Elks. and Noble Rcd Men.
The second division comprised the Society OF
tho Cincinnati. the G. A. Il. and Mexican vet
Grams. and the Sons OF the American Revolu-
ton. in which organization are included many
OF the most honorsd names in public life. and
which as an organization made its public
debut to-day. Tho third division was military
and comprised the District National Guard.
some regulars. and visiting militia from Fir-
Cinia. The fourth division was composed Of
veteran hremen and visiting fire associations.
Including veterans from Brooklyn. New York.
Virginia. and Maryland.
At the head OF the procession. INN ediately
Grand Marshal Ordway and his we'll
mounted staff rode tho President of the
United States and his Cabinet officers. The
President rode in an open barouche. attended
by the Hon. Berah wilkins. Chairman OF the
deception Committee. and escorted by q
squadron OF United States cavalry. which
made GIitterinG. Gathering show in their full
dress uniforms. helmets. and waving plumes
In the carriage following the President came
ho orator of the day, the Hon William
Writ Henry Of Virginia. grandson Of Patrick
Henry. attended by Mr.. Lawrence Gardner.
Chairman Of the Genera! Committee. Tho
1abinct rode in order of rank as named in the
residential Succession bill as follows: Wal
erQ Gresham, Secretary OF State: John G. |
Jarlis!c. Secretary OF the Treasury: Richard |
)!ney, Acknowledgement: Wilson S. Bissell. |
'ostnaster- General: j. Sterling Morton. Sec |
"'ary Of Agriculture. Each Cabinet officer |
vas attended by two members of the Commit |
co on arrangements.
After the Cabinet officers came Bishop Har- |
cit OF Maryland. chaplain for the day in his |
o!scopal robes. Then came Associate Justices |
'rown and Field. representing the United |
tates Supreme Court and alter them the joint |
OF Congress. tho Commissioners Of |
he District tho Judiciary OF the District. tho |
ocety OF TIE Cincinnati. and the General |
ommittee.
AtoNactly l 30 the head OF tho column APP |
cared at the top OF the hill. rounding the |
a2itoI on the east front. and passed between
mass of humanity composed of thousands OF
10 "a