Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-05-11

Mr.. Townsend's lines showed much ten.
derness and pathos They dealt both
with the life and character OF George
Washington, and with the gcntleness and
fortitude OF his maternal relative.
vice-Prcsldent Ad!ai Il. Stevenson re-
sponded to the toast. ITO George Wash.
ington. the Master Workman OF His Age"
The Vice-President dealt with Washing
ton as a Mason and as n public man.
His heroic character was. he said. mani
fest In all stages OF his life. Even be-
fore Mr.. Stevenson began his remarks
there was much talking throughout the
hall. and during his speech IL became so
bad that he stopped. However IL should
be said that Immediately before
the Nice-Presidcnt was introduced.
Miss Ryan, OF New York. who
was present as the representative
OF Mrs. Roger A. Pryor, OF the New York
Mary Washington Association. was quite
badly hurt by falling from the sUge.
Miss Ryan had started to descend from
the stage. and, as she placed her foot
upon the steps the latter wrenched around
slightly. throwing her with great force 10
the floor. For more than two hours She
was senseless, and blood streamed from
her nostrils and mouth. DR.. Darlington,
OF Richmond. was promptly summoned.
and the injured lady was removed 10 an
Miss Ryan was most painfully, though
not dangerously injured. Her tongue was
cut partially Off, and her lips and mouth
iacerated and bruised.
When the. confusion had subsided the
Vice-PresIdsnt resumed, and said:
las u citizen OF Illinois. the greatest Of
all these States given by Virginia,
come atty our bidding. and sit at your gen
erous board. No Illinosan can forget
that during the darkest hour Of our Co
lonial struggle, George Rogers Clarke
Virglnian. at the head OF band worthy
OF mention with the heroes OF Thermop-
ylae. captured the garrison al kaskaskia,
the ancient seat OF empire OF the Illinois
territory. and thus We wrested the
Mississippi Valley from the grasp OF
Great Britain.
WASHINGTON DAY.
This, sir, Is Washington day. From
eloquent lips have fallen burning words
that fifty commemorate the character,
the worth the virtues Of the mother OF
the first President. To her monument, as
10 holy place. will. with the coming
years, bend the footsteps Of a grateful
people.
I'VE would DO honor now 20 the memory
OF her illustriOus son. All that he was
to his country, TO the world cannot De
told-cannot be measured. Was IL car
lyle who said when the times demand
man. the man appears" During those
struggles from Lexington 10 Yorktown
this man bore upon his great heart the
sorrows, the burdens. the hopes. the aspi-
rati0ns OF all his countrymen. No less
great in peace than in war, II WAS his
to preside over the convention which
formulated our Federal Constitution
. H.. luu ~ laN
Elected without a dissenting voice Presi-
dent of the United States he sought
grateful retirement in his Virginia home
at the close OF his administration. His
work was done. lie was the Past Master
Workman.
AS general Of the army which achieved
our Independence; as presiding ofiicer OF
the assembly OF sagos which gave us
the great organic law appropriately de-
clared by Mr.. Gladstone To b. the grand
est work ever struck off nj given time
from the brain and purpose Of man
as the first Chief Magistrate OF the
Republic. and as a private citizen when
the twilight shadows were gathering
about HMM all his relations to his fel-
lows he knew no rival He dwelt apart
He was the recognized master-workman.
His most eloquent eulogist has well said.
Virginia gave Washington 10 America
and America gave him 10 the world ana
to the ages
WASHINGTON As \ MASON.
"And yet. this man. after his voluntary
retirement from power and place. thought
1t der0gated nothing from his great dig
nifty to wear the insignia and preside
over the deliberations Of a lodge Of An
cient, Free, and Accepted Masons. Since
the period long lost in the mists and
shadows Of bygOne centuries. when this
noble fraternity held concave on high
mountains and in low valleys II has
never known 50 llustrtous a member.
AT the laying of the cornerstone OF
our national Capitol. 100 years ago, Wash
ington OBLIGATED as Grand Master or
Freemasons, as well as I'm his great office
Of President Of the United States. No !
craftsman can FORGET that upon that his,
toric ionWashington wore the SASH
and the apron that had been wrought by
the hands OF the wife of the beloved
Lafayette. Now, as then, to those who
would revile this venerable order. the
answer is perfect-'Washington was Il
Mason
I'VE stand to-day within the span OF
century from the hour when Washing
ton, his work done. and wearing the
highest honors that earth could bestow'
passed To the place appointed for All
the living. What marVels the century
Just closing has wrought in this lana!
What perils may lie along our future
pathway who can tell?
Amid encouragement and danger. let
US not forget that with Washington there
was an ever-abiding faith In the capacity
Of his countrymen for solf-goyernmrnt
That a helping Omnipotent hand was
ever stretched out TO this favored lahu
was 10 him a living fath. The century
lust closing has not dimmed the glory
of the achievements Of this iliustrlous
man. with the rolling OF years a greater
than he hath not appeared. HIS name
and fame are the precious heritage ot al
neople and all time; his last words the
shlbboleth of all parties AMI of all sec
tons
MAY we not believe that whatever dan
gers NAV hereafter menace our free IN
situations. or the perpctuty OF our re-
nuhlcsn government the Federal con-
stItutIon. the handiwork Of Washington
and his compeers Will prove 10 US anu
10 those who come after Ls, sure rock
of safety OF defenceY
The third toast announced was our
Distinguished Guests-Most Gladly 10 we
welcome Them" This was responded 10
by Hon. John VI. Harlan. Associate JUS
tice OF the United States.
The Associate Justice tondered the
grateful appreciation OF all th- distin-
guished visitors for the splendid hospi-
talitv shown them. lie had heard a great
deal Of the history and fame OF virginia
and OF her men, yet he was sure That halt
had never been told.
A peculiar appropriateness was onered
by this occasion In that there were rep
resented three distinct departments ot
this government-the executive. The lesis-
la,iye and the judiciary. There was n
nupropriateness because Virginia bad won
th. highest type Of fame by reason OF
tho. fact that in this Commonwealth was
written the first Instrument adopted BY
an organized portion OF this country
having down the principle that there could
be no liberty except through the establish
ment OF these three great departments.
This was a memorable day. and the dis
tlnguished company present would NOT
forget H. In conclusion. Justice Harlan
said that n wished TO present a toast
which did not appear upon the ilst. IL
was ''To the Commonwealth OF Virginia
tremendous cheers)
The next toast was responded 10 by
Mr.. Blair Lee The sentiment was 70
the National Mary Washington Monu-
ment Association" He gave complete
d..