The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1894-05-16
WaSHlNGTON'S MOTHER.
4 Monument Erect to Her Memory
Unveiled,

FREDERICKsBU Va, May To-
The monument to the mother O! Wash
ington unveiled today is an obeliSk Of
white marble, fifty feel high. Its base
consists Of threa courses, the upper one
bevelled and surmounted by die bear
lag the simple inscription:
MARY, the mother of Washington"
4 cap surmounts the die and from this
rises the beautiful white shaft. The site
is at the edge OF beautiful plateau, and
near the two gray bonlders upon which
the patriots mother was accustomed to
sit for hours daily with her knitting.
TIE exercises at The manumeu5 were
opened with prayer by Rev. James Z.
Smith, who largely inspired the move
ment that resulted in the erection CT the
monument. He was aide TO Stonewall
jackson and helped carry him Cft the field
when MORALLY wounded at Chancellors-
vile.
Mayor Rowe then .xtended brief and
appropriate welcome on the part OF the
city, after which Governor O'Ferrall de-
livered a fitteea minutes address of well
come on behalf OF the State, concluding
his eloquent percration by introducing
President Cleveland, VITO delivered a
most patriotic address.
The delivery occupied f)rtY-fVe min
utes. At its conclusion Governor
O'Ferrall presented TO Mrs. Chief Jus
tice Waite, president Of the Natlonl AS
sociation. engrossed resolutions Of the
ladies Of the Fredericksburg Association
expressing their thanks for the efforts OF
the former towards erection Of the monu-
ment.
President Cleveland then came to the
front of the stand and held public re-
ception, in which more than 10 900 per
sons participated. Following this, the
President was associated to the Mary
Washington House, Rhere be rested for
time.
Ia the evening a bouquet was given
10 honor Of the occasion, over which
Hon. J. B. Sever presided. It was
tb on ght that the president would return
to Washington Immediately after the un-
yelling ceremonies, but he was an unez.
pected and most welcome guest at the
feast. a storm Ct acclamation greeted
his unannounced appearance: When The
noisy welcome had subsided sufficiently
for President Sever to formally present
him, Mr.. Cleveland advanced to. the
front Of the platform and acknowledged
the tunulluons reception in brief and
happy jmp-omptu speech, which was
most enthusiastically cheered, mid
which Mr.. Cleveland took his seat.
Governor O'Ferrall was then introduced
aud made BRET and happy response.
Vice President Stevenson was introduced
as Master Mason to respond to the
second toast, which was ITO George
Was iington, Master Workman"
Justice Harlan of the United States
Sapreme Court then arose and annonc-
ed himself as doubly grandson tf Vlr.
ginia, offered the toast: ITO the CON-
monwealth Of Virginia."
This, was felicitously responded to by
Mr. BLAIR Lee.
The evening passed away most de-
,ightfallY, in the enjoyment Of the sub
stantial and inteils uai repast spread
by the generous hoSis OF the OCCASION.
The President and his party returned
to Washington on special train at 5
O'Clock. The weather was most beauti-
tul and the celebration one OF grateful
memory to eli who witnessed 1t. In the
Presidential party were Secretary aud
Mrs. Gresham, Secretary aud Mrs. Car
Isle, Secretary and Mss Morton, Sec
retary and Mrs. Lamont, Postmaster
General Bissell, Private Secretary and
Mrs. Thurber apd many men dlstlngu-
ished in puolic life. Fifteen thousand
Vlrslnians assem- mbled from all parts OF
the State to do honor to the noble Wo-
man, whose memory they hold dear. Io
the throng were representatives OF names
contemporaneols with Washington and
familiar in the history OF the State many
prominent in the present adminIstra ton
of its affairs. The surrounding country
was deserted for the time.