The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-09-19

WASHINGTON, Sept, 1S.-The centennial
anniversary of the laying of the corner
stone of the capitol was celebrated SOL
smnly and impressively on the broad
plaza that stretches out from the west
front of the capitol, this morning. One
hundred years ago today the first presi-
dent OF the republic. as grand master OF
the Free and Accepted Order Of Masons.
wearing an apron and sash woven by
The wife of Lafayette, laid the foundation
stone of the great marble pile that Is now
The admiration of the world.
Not since the second Inauguration of
President Cleveland have the thorough
fares of this city been so thronged with
people as they were today. Long before
the hour for the parade to start the inhab-
itants of Washington and thousands OF
visitors from far and near began to AS
semble along the sidewalks OF the streets
through which il was to pass. They
crowded the steps and porticos of the pub
lie buildings, and they were to be seen on
housetops and peering from hundreds of
windows. The parade started from the
White House, and it was there that the
multitude OF sightseers was denseSt The
procession from the White House to the
east front of the capitol was over the same
route taken one hundred years ago when
George Washington laid the corner stone
of the capitol. IC was from the White
House along PENNSYLVANIA avenue to the
capitol grounds. General Ordway. chieJ
marshal and his staff, with squadron of
United States cavalry, acting an escort
Tor President Cleveland in his carriage,
led the way. AS the chief executives car
?iage passed Che crowds of visitors greeted
him with loud applause. The orator o
the day. William Writ Henry, the COVER
IorS of the various states Chairman
Laurence Gardner. aud the specially in
vited guests, followed in carriages. troop
4 of the National Guards bringing up the
rear. After the escort came the first dl-
vision proper, under command of Marshal
Robert Boyd. This division was composed
of civic organizations. The second divis-
ion WAS under the command of II. G.
Gibson as marshal, and in this division
were the Sons of the American Revolution,
the Veterans of the Mexican war, the
Grand Army of the Republic, etc The
third division WAS composed entirely of
United States regulars and District of
Columbia militia. The fourth and last
division of the parade. had for its COM
mander Marshal James II. Richards 1t
was composed of the veteran iiremeu OF
The District of Columbia and similar or
Eanizations from other parts OF the
country
aisbanded and the ceremonies of the
day were begun on the stand erected at
the west front of the capitol. When the
religious societies had finished Laurence
Gardner, chairman. arose and delivered
Jne opening address. AS he concluded DR..
Gardner turned towards President Cleve-
land and introduced him as the next
speaker. The President was given most
enthusiastic greeting. The president
said, in,part:
We celebrate the laying Of the corner
stone from which has sprung the splendid
edifice, whose grand proportions arouse
the pride OF every American; but our cele-
hration is chiefly valuable and significant
because this edifice was designed and
planned by great and good men as the
place where the principles OF free repre-
sentative government should be developed
IN patriotic legislation for the benefit OF a
Tree people II the representatives who
here assemble TO make laws for their fell
low countrymen forget the duty OF broad
ard disinterested patriotism and legislate
III prejudice and passion. or III behalf of
sectional and selfish interests, the time
when the cornerstone of our capitol was
Iald and the circumstances surrounding it.
VIII not be worth commemorating. The
sentiment and traditions connected with
this structure and its uses belong 10 all
The people of the land. They are most val
tHbAS os ot DdlIaoblSW III Inc
discharge of public duty and steadfastness
IN any struggle for the public good They
also furnish standard by which our peo-
pie may measure the conduct of those
chosen to serve them. The ineyorable ap-
piication of this standard viii always sup.
ply proof that our countrymen realize tbs
value OF the free institutions which We're
designed and built by those VINO laid the
cornerstone of their capitol, and that they
appreciate the necessity of constant aud
Jealous watchfulness as condition indis-
pensable To the preservation OF these in
stltuuons IN their purity and integrity.
believe that our fciioW-citiZenS have no
greater nor better cause for rejoicing in
his centennial than is found in the assur
auce that their public servants who as
semble IN these halls will watch and guard
the sentiment ana traditions that gather
around this celebration
AS the president sat down he was
rheered with redoubled vigor.
The United States Marine band now
played Il selection, after which the orator