The morning call., 1893-09-19
ONE ECENTURYPAS
-.
Con1menlOration of a
Great Event.
BULLIED BY THE PRESIDENT.
MIR. Cleveland Takes Strange Advan-
tage of the Occasion to Deliver
Peculiar Speech.

QFFQ years ago to-day George washington,
as WOrshipful Master of Lodge No. %
Virginia, with Masonic rites, laid the cor
nerstone of the building which, by slow
stages, for seventy-fve years thereafter
grew into one of the most magnificent
structures in the world.
The procession was led by Chief Mar
. shall Ordway and staff, with squadron of
cavalry. acting as escort to the President
followed by the orator of the day, William
Writ Henry, a descendant of Patrick
Henry. the Governors Of the various
States, and Chairman Lawrence Gardner
and invited guests in carriages, the troop
of the District National Guard bringing
up the rear as a further escort
The streets were thrOnged with people.
who cheered the President d he passed.
Arrived at the Capitol the parade dis
banded and the vast thT0ng witnessed the
ceremonies, including the members Of both
houses of Congress. Judges of the Su-
preme Court, members of the Cabinet. and
other high dgnltaries, who occupied
places on the stand.
The exercises began with music by the
Marine band. Then Bishop Paret of Ma
ryland offered prayer and chorus of 1900
voices sang the lie Oeum," after which
dress. succinctly sketching the remarkable
growth and development of the United
States during the past 100 years, closing
by introducing as chairman of the cere-
moDies 1.-THE worthy successor of WASH
ington," the President OF the United
States, Grover Cleveland.
The President was given a most en-
thusiastic greeting and delivered a brief,
,I,,
follows:
while l accept with much satisfaction
the post assigned me on this occasion. |
cannot escape the sober reflections which
these ceremonies suggest. Those who
suppose we are simply engaged in COM
memorating the beginning of this magnifi-
cent structure, devoted to important pub
lie uses. overlook the most useful and
improving lesson of the hour. We do. in
deed, celebrate the laying of the corner
stone from which has sprung this splendid
edfice. whose grand proportions have
aroused the pride of every American citi-
,Ze.. but our ceIe bration is chiefly valuable
SfT significant because thIs edI1ce as
- (Ened and planned by great and good
v n as the place where the principles of
free and representative Government should
be developed in patriotic legislation for
the benefit of a free people.
IF the epIesentatiyes who here assem-
bic TO make laws for their fellow-country-
men forget the duty of broad, disinterested
patriotism, and legislate III prejudice and
passion, or in behalf of sectional, selfish
interests, the time when the cornerstone
of our Capitol was laid and the circum-
stances surrounding it will not be worth
comm emorating
The sentiment and traditions connected
with this structure and its uses belong to
all the people of the land. They are the
most valuable reminders of patriotism in
the discharge of public duty and stead
fastness in every struggle for public good.
They also furnish a standard by which
our people may measure the conduct of
those chosen TO serve them.
"Inexorable application of this stan dard
will always supply proof that our country
men realize the value Of the free institu-
tious designed and built by those who laid
the cornerstone of their Capitol, and that
they appreciate the necessity for constant
jealous watchfulness as a condition indis-
pensaDle TO the preservation OF these in sti-
tutiOns in their purity and Integrity.
II believe our fellow-citiZens have no
better. greater cause for rejoicing on this
centennial. and those halls will watch aud
guard the sentiment and traditions that
gather around this celebration, that in the
days to come those who shall again cee-
brate the laying Of the cornerstone of
their nations Capitol will find in the re-
cltal of our performance of public duty no
less reason for enthusiasm and cOngratula-
tion than we find in recalling tn g wisdom
and virtue of those who preceded u.s."
The rugged healthy glow in the Presi-
dents cheeks and his firm strong upright
bearing did much TO alay any anxiety on
the part of those who have been troubled
about recent rnmOEs concerning his health
His voice was strong aud penetrating and
his gestures vigorous. This was especially
the case when he turned full and fair on
the assembled House and Senate and told
them:
''If the lawmakers ever forgot their
duty of broad and disinteresied patriotism
and legislate In prejudice and passion, or
In behalf Of sectional and selfish interests.
the time when the cornerstone of our
Capitol was laid and the circumstan es
surrounding it will not be worth commem-
Grating"
The added tone of defiance and warning
with which Cleveland said this and the
ringing applause that greeted 1t gave a
peculiar significance to his words. Then
the orator of the day, William Writ He rv,
delivered his address, in which he reviewed
the growth of the country in territory, ma
tiona strength and influence on the Gov
ernments of the nations 0 [ the world. He
detailed the growth of the Capitol building
beyond the foundations first laid and the
development of laws within its walls
The next speaker was VicePresident
Stevenson, VINO spoke in behalf of the
United States Senate. and WAS accorded
greeting rs hearty as that given the Presi-
dent. lie delivered mastery, eloquent
address, in which, III the course OF his re-
view OF the evidences of our greatness, he
= spoke OF the mighty names of the states
men who surrounded Washington when
the cornerstone was laid 100 years ago,
and oil those who succeeded them in guild
ing the nation on 'ts glorious Destiny"
predicted by the father of the nation,
aud declared that "in the presence of the
wondrous fulfillment of predicted great