The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1893-09-29

Tho Corner Stone of tho National
Capitol at Washington
Has Lain In It's Place u Centuss--The
Fact Duty COMMUNICATED by
Grand Parade and osher
Appropriate Exercises.

dav j. said TO have been fair and beau
tful leo years ago. when, according I
contemporary accounts Ibis excel
leney. President George Washington
crossed the Potomac into Maryland
<m naming the 10 miles square decide,
by Maryland and Virginia for the sit,
OF the national capital), and. escorted
BY Virginia and Maryland troops an,
masonic and other civic bodies. moved
An procession to Capitol hill and Their.
Halo the cornerstone of the nationa
capitol. the weather could not possibly
have been more pleasant on that occa
sion than the clear skies and buoyan
sunshine which smiled on the cen
tennial commemoration of that grea
event
The quafntly-worded inscription en-
graved in 1898 on n silver plate i'm
oedded in the foundation stone describe
The historic occurrence with terseness
- follows:
This southeast cornerstone Of tho capitol O,
She United States OF Americs. IN the city OF
Washington. was laid on the tBlh 6ny OF Sep
temer. i7v3 in the thirteenth yosr O!
American Independence. and IN the nrs,
pear OF the second term Of the presidency
civil administration OF his country have been
- trncfciaias HIS military valor and prudence
have been useful and in the year OF masonry
sNs ~ She president OF the United Ststes IN
Son ere with the grand lodge of Maryland sov-
erai !ofees under its Jurisdiction and lodge =
Src'a Alexandria. Thomas johnson. David stu
art and Daniel Carroll. commissioners: Joseph
Cars right worshipful grand master pro tenn
pcrr' James Hoban and stephen Halleates
architects, aud Collins Williamson. master
mason.
The project Of celebrating the one
hrndredth recurrence of this day orig
1nated with antiquarian citizens OF
East Washington--that part of the
cit which the original capitol was de-
signed to face and where its founders
supposed the chief residences and pub
lie Offices would be built 1t was given
. national Importance by the concur
rent action and promised participation
OF congress. and the president and the
executive and judicial branches of the
government.
The day was ushered in by the ring
In Of centennial chimes.
Following as closely as possible the
programme of the original ceremonies
The procession was chiefly confined to
Give bodies. under the marshalship of
Tea. ordway, commanding the district
national guard. II started shortly be-
fore p. m. in four divisions. from in
front Of the White House, which faces
presidents Square" las LAFAYETTE
place was called 100 years apol.
from which point. according TO
history, "the procession marched two
abreast in great and solemn dignity,
with music playing. drums beating.
colors flying and spectators rejoicing
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 Il
moved briskly along Pennsylvania av-
enue to the capitol, the civic organiza-
lions four abreast, and the military in
column Of companies. with brave dis
play of civic insignia. much music. and
che plaudits Of a mighty concourse of
spectators.
The organizations in line included
In the first division. odd fellows, Old
est Inhabitants, Knights of Pythias,
elks and Noble Redmen."
The second division comprised the
Society of the Cincinnati, the G. A. Il.
and Mexican veterans and the s'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 pub
lie de but to-day.
The third division was military and
comprised the district national guard,
some regulars, and visiting militia
from Virginia.
The fourth division was composed of
veteran firemen and visiting fire as
socia'ions, including veterans from
Brooklyn, New York city, Virginia and |
Maryland.
AT the head of the procession. imme-
diately following Grand Marshal ord |
way and his well-mounted staff, rode |
che president Of the United States and |
his cabinet in carriages. The president
rode in barouche attended by Hon. |
Beriah Wilkins. chairman of the recep-
zion committee, and escorted by a
squadron Of United States cavalry,
which made glittcring. Gathering |
ahow in their snowy full-dress uni |
forms, helmets and waving plumes. In |
Che carriage following the president
came the orator OF the day. Hon. Will
liam Written Henry. of Virginia
grandson Of Patrick Henry. attended
by Mr.. Lawrence Gardner, chairman
of the general committee. The cabinet
rode in order of rank as named in the
presidential succession bill. as follows
Walter Y. Gresham, secretary of state,
John g. Carlisle, secretory Of the
treasury; Daniel 5. lamont, secre-
cary OF war; Richard Olney,
attorney general; Wilson =.
Bissell. postmaster general; Hilary
A. Herbert, secretary of the navy; Hoke
Smith, secretary of the interior; j.
Sterling Morton, secretary Of agricul-
ture. Each cabinet officer was attended
by two members OF the committee on
arrangements.
After the cabinet officers came Bishop
Paret of Maryland, chaplain of the
day. in his episcopal robes. Then came
Associate Justices Brown and Field
representing the United States supreme
court. and after them the joint com
nittee Of congress. the commissioners