The state republican. (Jefferson City, Mo.) 1871-1896, 1893-09-21
CAPITOL CENTENNIAL.
The Corner Stole Of the National
Capitol at Washington
Has Lain In Its Place a Century-The
Fact Duly Commemorated by
Grand Parade and Other
Appropriate Excrrise1

lcncy, President George Washington,
crossed the Potomac into Maryland"
(neaning the 10 miles square decided
by Maryland and Virginia for the site
of the national capitaD, 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 possibly
have been more pleasant on that occa-
sion than the clear skies and buoyant
sunshine which smiled on the CEN
tennial commeinoration of that great
event
The quaintly-worded inscription en-.
graved in 1893 on silver plate i'm
bedded in the foundation stone describes
the historic occurrence with tersencss
hs follows
This southeast cornerstone Of the capitol Of
the United States OF America, In the city Of
Washington, was laid on the 18th day of Sep.
tember, 1893, in the thirteenth year OF
American Independence, and in the first
year OF tho second term OF the presidency
Of George Washington. whose virtues in the
civil administration OF his country have been
ms beneficial as his military valor and prudence
b793 by the president of the United States in
concert with the grand lodge Of Maryland, sew
eral lodges under its jurisdiction and lodge 80
from Alexandria Thomas Johnson, David stu
art and Daniel Carroll. commissioners; Joseph
Clark, right worshipful grand master pro tenn.
pore; James Hoban and Stephen Halleates.
architects, 0nd Collins Williamson, master
mason,
The project Of celebrating the one
hundredth recurrence of this day orig.
mated with antiquarian citizens OF
East Washington-that part of the
city 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
ing of centennial chimes.
Following as closely ms possible the
programme OF the original ceremonies
the procession was chiefly confined to
civic bodies, under the narshalshlp of
Gen. Ordway, commanding the district
national guard. 1t started shortly be-
fore 1 p. M, 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, "the procession marched two
abreast in great and solemn dignity,
with music playing, drums beating,
colors flying and spectators rejoicing v
The modern procession did not march
1.-TWO and two" or it's 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
tions four abreast, and the military in
column of companies, with brave dis
play of civic insignia. much music. and
the plaudits of 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. X,
and Mexican veterans, and the "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 debut to-day.
The third division was military and
comprised the district national guard
some regulars, and visiting militia
from Virginia
| ,-te ~
veteran fremen and visiting fire as
sociations, 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
the president of the United States ant
his cabinet in carriages. The presiden
rode in barouche attended by Hon
Beriah Wilkins, chairman of the recep
tion committee, and escorted by q
squadron of United States cavalry
which made glittering, clatterinl
show in their snowy full-dress uni
forms, helmets and waving plumes. IL
the carriage following the presiden
came the orator of the day, Hon. VIII
liam Written Henry, of Virgini;
tgrandson of Patrick Henry, attended
by Mr.. Lawrence Gardner, chairman
of the general committee. The cabine
rode in order of rank as named in th
presidential succession bill, as follows
Walter @. Gresham, secretary of state
John G. Carlisle, secretory of tn
treasury; Daniel s. Lamont, secre
tary of war; Richard Olney
attorney general; Wilson S
Bissell, postmaster general; Hilar
A. Herbert, secretary of the navy; HolS
Smith, secretary of the interior; j
Sterling Morton, secretary of agricul
ture. Each cabinet officer was attende
by two members of the committee o
arrangements.
After the cabinet officers came Bisho
Paret of Maryland, chaplain of tn
day, in his episcopal robes. Then cam
Associate Justices Brown and Field
representing the United States suprem
court, and after them the joint com
mittee Of congress, the commissioner
of the district, the judiciary of the dis
trict, the Society of the Cincinnati an
the general committee.
Mrs. Perrin, Mrs Cleveland's mother
escorted by Secretary Thurber and az
companied by Miss Thurber, entere
) the presidents carriage early in tn
morning and drove up to the capitol
witness the proceedings.
Arrived at the capitol, shortly aftt
2 o'clock, the parade was dismissed
and the ceremonies of commemorate
were commenced from the stands erec
: ed on the east front, and in the pre-
c ence Of an immense concourse of spe'
/, tators. The musical part of tn
programme was exceedingly notabl
D and effective. First the Marine ban
under the leadership of Prof. Fanciull
A rendered the overture to Tannhause
8 Then after Bishop Paret's brief an
\ eloquent prayer, closing with the ell
8 treaty that II 1t should be the Divin