The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-09-19
Anniversary Of the Laying of the Cor
Celebrated in Fitting Manner.
ADDRESS BY THE PRESIDENT
Indirect Warning to Congress to
Beware How 1t Legislates.
Grafton of the Day by William Writ
Henry and Addresses by Adlai f.
Stevenson and Others.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 18-An undimmed
blue sky and a perfect Indian summer
day crowned the centennial celebration OF
the laying of the corner stone of the Capitol
this afternoon. One hundred years ago
Washington. the first President OF the Re-
public. as grand master of the Free and
Accepted Order of Mssons. wearing an
apron and sash woven by the wife of Lafay-
cite, laid the foundation of the great mar
BILE pile that is now the admiration of :he
world. This city was then a village, its
broad. sweeping avenues. magnificent
buildings and beautiful parks as yet un-
marked upon the map. Escorted by
small band OF patriotic citizens and troop
of sOldiery. Washington. accompanied by
his Cabinet and many of the illustrIous
men of his day. rode to the forest-crowned
hill on which the Capitol now stands
to lay the corner stone of that giant
structure.
Over the same route to-day President
Cleveland was escorted by dashing cav
airy. marching infantry. blariDg bands and
q vast multitude of people, to add By his
presence and words to the celebration Of
the anniversary of that event. The god
dess of liberty. from her stand on the dome.
looked down upon the gaily decorated plat
FORMS on which. in addition TO the orators
of the day. there sat in solemn state the
members of both branches of Congress.
the judges of the Supreme Court clad in
their judiolal ermine; the members of the
Cabinet and other high dignitarles of the
government. Beyond, she saw filling the
plaza in front of the platform, and extend
fa Ia
great concourse of citizens and civic sol
dleTy, which, In numbers, patriotism and
enthusiasm, httingly marked the growth
and grandeur of the country during the
hundred years that have passed.
The impressive ceremonies were held on
q big platform extending out from the east
front of the CAPITOL into the spacious plaza.
The stand vas draped with bunting. and
formed an immense terrace extending to
the line of the second story of the main
building. Here and there were clusters of
colored lamps; the columns were decorated
with flags. the sta;ues on either side of the
entrance were festooned. while from the
glistening dome hoated the stars and
stripes. In fact. the entire east front of
the Capitol wes may. ftuttering mass OF
bunting. Long before 2 o'clock. the hour
set for the beginning of the celebration.
every window overlooking the platform
was crowded with people. the porJicoes Of
the Senate and House wings. which were
free TO the public, were covered like
of the tympanum of the main build
ing was crowded with q black line OF
people, while some more ven turesOme, had
even climbed TO the dome TO watch tie
spectacle from the Dizzy height The i'm
mense space on the plaza In front was q
moving mass of surging elbowIng people.
Beyond, extending far out into the radi-
ating avenues the landscape was tiecked
with colors Cavalry, with shining sabers
and nodding plumes relocated artillery.
blue linee of infantry. black streams OF
psradlng civilians and coaches equipped
with positions. uniformed with the white
wig and three-cornered C0ckade of q
century ago. formed u moving panorama
during the progress Of the exercises. Con-
epicuOus in the scene was the Greenough
statue of Washington. opposite the plat
form. Heroic in size. with hand upIifted,
it looked A6 IL from the shadowy past the
father of has country were present to give
his benediction and shis blessing TO the
celebration of to-day.
President Cleveland. accompanied by
the Cabinet. the speakers and members Of
the committee on arrangements. arrived
early. MT. Cleveland wss instantly Tecog.
niZed and was greeted with a great cheer,
which he acknowledged by lifting hls hat.
the members of the House and Senate. the
judges of the Supreme Court and other dig
nitaries of the government. There was q
conspicuous absence of members of the
diplomatic corps. The programme of the
occasion passed of without hitch. The
Presidents speech was delivered. as all his
speeches are. without notes. He STOOD
with his glasses oarelessly held behind
him In his right hand, his left
resting resting easily on the stand in
with his head barred to the breeze. the
lock OF hair which ourls upon his forehead
was lifted like feather and blown TO the
rear. The rugged, healthy glow in mis-
cheeks and the firm. strong. upright pose
Of his bearing did much TO allay any
anxiety on the part OF those who have been
troubled about the recent rumors concern
ing the Presidents health. His voice was
vigorous. This was especially tue case
when he turned full and fair on the as
sembled House and Senate and told them
that If the law makers lever forget the
duty of broad and disinterested patriotism
and legislate In prejudice and passion or in
behalf OF sectional and selfish interests,
the time when the corner stone of our
surrounding 10 will not be worth commem-
orating." The added tone of defiance and
warning with which Dir. Cleveland said
this and the ringing applause that greeted
It. gave peculiar significance to his words.
Speaker Crisp and Justice Brown. of the
Supreme Court. were the other speakers
who refrained from the use of notes Will
liam Writ Henry, of Virginia. a grandson
of Patrick Henry. who was the orator OF
the occasion. and Vice President Steven.
son. who responded on behalf OF the Sen.
ate. both read their speeches.
The Marine Band. directed by Professor
Faucuilli. and a swelling chorus of ono
hundred trained voices, under the dIrec-
tion of Professor ClowGrd. rendered the
musical selections, which included In the
course Of the programme ali the national