New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1893-09-20
THE CEN TENNIA..II
OF tho Laying Sof tho Cornerstone 81
tho National Capitol It Wash.
ington
Fittingly Celebrated In the Presence
ofa Great Concourse Of Patriotic
People, 5.. 5z
Ceremonies Participated In BY Presi.
dent and Cabinet, Supreme Bench
and Congress.

WASHINGTON. Sept. 1o.-Though the
day is said to have been fair and beau
tiful 100 years ago, when, according to
contemporary accounts, "his 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 capital), 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 CEN
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:' . e<.-
"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, 1893, 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, 1893, by the presi-
dent of the United States in court with
grand lodge OF Maryland, severallodges
under it's jurisdiction, and Lodge o.
from Alexandria, Thomas johnson,
David Stuart and Daniel Carroll, COM
missioners: Joseph Clark, right wor-
shipful grand master tempore;
James Hoban and Stephen Halleate,
architects, and Collins Williamson,
master Mason"
The project of celebrating the one
hundredth occurrence of the day orig
mated with antiquarian citizens of
East Washington-that part of the city
the original Capitol was designed to
face and where its founders supposed
the chief residences and public Offices
would be built. 1t was given a national
Importance by the concurrent action
and promised participation of congress,
the president, the executive and judi
cial branches of the government.
The day was ushered in by the ring
ing of Centennial chimes
Followed the Original Ceremonies.
Following as closely as possible the
programme of the original ceremonies,
the procession was chiefly confined to
civic bodies, under the marshalship of
General Ordway, commanding the Dis
trict national guard. 1t started shortly
before 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 history 1.-The
procession marched two abreast in the
greatest solemn dignity, with music
playing, drums beating and colors fly.
ing and spectators rejoicing"
The modern procession did not march
1.-TWO by two or it's tail end would not
have reached it's destination before the
shades of night had fallen, butt moved
briskly along the broad Pennsylvania
avenue to the capitol, the Or
CARNATIONS four abreast. and
the military in columns of companies,
with brave display of civic insignia,
of music, and the plaudits of a mighty
concourse of spectators. The organi-
cations in line included in the first
division, Odd Fellows, Oldest Inhabi.
tants, Knights of Pythias Elks and
Noble Red Men.
The second division comprised the
society of the Cincinnati, the G.. A. R.,
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. All
The third division was military and
comprised the District national guard
/, some regulars and visiting militia from
Virginia. H.
The fourth division was composed Of
veteran fremen and visiting fire asso
Citations, including veterans from
/ Brooklyn, New York City, Virgini.
and Maryland.
u. President and Cabinet.
| At the head Of the procession, follow
ing Grand Marshal Ordway and hi
we'll mounted staff, rode the presiden
of the United States and his cabine
officers. The president rode in an opel
barouche, attended by Hon. Beriah Viii