The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-09-20

patriotism in the discharge of public
duty, and steadfastness in many a strug-
gle for the public good. They also fur
nish standard by which our people
may measure the conduct of those chosen
to serve them. The inexorable applica-
ton Of this standard will always supply
proof that our countrymen realize the
value Of the free institutions which were
designed and built by those who laid the
cornerstone OF the capitol and appre-
ciate the necessity of constant and jeal-
Gus watchfulness as a condition indis-
pensible to the preservation of these in
stitutions in their purity and integrity.
I believe our fellow-citizens have no
greater nor better cause for rejoicing
on this centennial than is found in the
assurance that their public servants who
assemble in these halls will watch and
guard the sentiment and traditions that
gather around this celebration, and that
IN the days to come those who shall
| again commemorate the laying of the
| cornerstone of their nations capitol will
find in the recital of our performance of
| public duty no less reason for enthusiasm
and congratulation than we find in recall
ing the wisdom and virtue Of those who
have preceded us"
Vice-President Stevenson Speaks.
Mr.. Stevenson said in part:
'Fellov-citizens-This day and this
hour mark the close Of a century Of our
national history. No ordinary event has
| called us together. Standing in the
presence of this august assemblage Of
| the people, upon the spot where Wash
| lngton stood, we solemnly commemorate
the one hundredth anniversary of the
laying OF the cornerstone Of the nations
| capitol.
at is well that this day has been set
| apart as a national holiday, that all
public business has been suspended, and
that the president he
| members Of the great court and of the
| congress, unite with their cOuntrymen
| in doing honor to the memory OF the
men who, one hundred years ago, at this
hour and upon this spot, put in place
| the cornerstone of the capitol of the
American republic. The century rolls
| back and we stand in the presence Of the
| grandest and most imposing figure known
| TO any age or country Washington, as
grand master Of free and accepted ma
] sons, clothed in the symbolic garments
| OF that venerable order, wearing the
| apron and the sash wrought by the
| hands Of the wife of the beloved Lafay-
/ ette, impressively and in accordance with
/ the time-honred usages of that order,
/ is laying his hands upon the corner
stone Of the future and permanent capi-
4 tol of this country. The solemn cere-
/ monies Of that hour were conducted by
| Washington. not only in his office OF
| grand master Of freemasons, but in the
yet more august office of president Of the
| United States. Assisting him in the fit
ting observance of these impressive rites
| were representatives Of the masonic
| lodges of Virginia and Of Maryland, while
| around him stood men, whose honored
names live with his in history, the men
| who, on field and in council, had aided
| first in achieving independence and then
| in the yet more difficult task of garner
| ing. by wise legislation, the fruits Of
| victory. Truly the centennial Of an
| event so fraught with interest should not
| pass unnoticed.
| century whose close we now commence
| rate Among all the centuries il stands
| alone. With hearts filled with gratitude
| to the God of our fathers. it is well that
| we recall something of the progress of
/ the young republic since the masterfuI
! hour when Washington laid his hands
upon the foundation stone Of yonder
capitol"
| MIR. Crisp Speaks.
The marine band played a selection
when the vice-president had finished
! speaking, and then the Hon. Charles L.
Crisp, speaker Of the house Of represent
atives, delivered an address in behalf
| Of that body. He said:
| "Mr. Chairman-When the cornerstone
| OF this great capitol was laid our con-
stitution was not six years old. Govern
| ment by the people had barely reached
| the experimental stage. There were but
| fifteen states in the union. Our popula-
ton was less than 1000 600, and the house
| of representa- Ives, for which now
| speak, was composed of only $50 mem
| bers. Today 100 years thereafter, our
| constitution still exists unimpaired: gov
ernment by the people has been firmly
| established; our population exceeds 67,-
| 000. 900. and the house Of representatives
| is composed of $50 members During
| the century which passed since Washing
| ton stood where we now stand, the
world has watched with wonder and
| amazement the marvellous growth and
| development of our country. When that
| century began we were weak in re-
sources, burdened with debt Just strug-
| Cling into political existence and agitated
| by the heaVing waves which were over
/ turning European thrones. It's end finds
| us strong in resources, strong in wealth
| and credit, strong in numbers and strong
| in the affections of an intelligent and
/ united people In all that constitutes
real greatness the United States is today
| the foremost nation of the earth. In
behalf Of all present 1 am sure will
| be permitted TO say we devotedly thank
4 Almighty God for the wisdom and patri-
i otism OF the founders Of our govern
ment. We thank Him for the peace, the
1 prosperity, the freedom and the happi-
! ness of our people; and we do all most
sincerely and fervently pray that our
| constitutional union may endure for
i ever"
| The grand chorus OF 1.5Oo voices sang
| "The Heavens Are Telling" after Mr.
| Crisp had spoken. In behalf of the judi
/ ciary, Henry Billings Brown Of the
/ supreme court Of the United States,
/ spoke
| The concluding address was made by
i Myron NJ. Parker Of the board Of COM
| missioners of the District Of Columbia.
| He told Of the progress Of Improvements
| introduced during the last 100 years. At
| the conclusion Of the program the as
| semblage was dismissed with benedic-
ton pronounced by Cardinal Gibbons Of
| Baltimore
| Thousands Of people thronged the capt.
tol grounds tonight to hear the ringing
/ of the chimes Of bells on the library
| building and to attend the open-air con-
| cert by the marine band and the grand
/ chorus Of 1,500 voices. The concert took
| place on the platform where the exer-
| cises of this afternoon were conducted.
| The east front of the capitol was beau
/ tifully lighted and the scene was most
| picturesque The program began with
/ the ringing of America" on the chime
| of bells Then the marine band played
an overture, after which the grand
/ chorus sang. The program was a
/ lengthy one and concluded with the sing
| ing Of the "Star Spangled Banner" by
the grand chorus, the audience joining
| the singing.