Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-05-11
THE MASONIC BANQUET.
Dazzling Effect of Dccorations-The Fresi-
dent and Governor Again Speak.

The Masonic banquet rendered by frede-
ricksburg Lodge. in which George Wash
ington was made a Mason. was one Of the
most elegant affairs Of its character that
has ever been witnessed in the State. 1t
took place In the Opera-House. and plates
We're laid for $50 guests. On the audi
forum floor there were seven long tables.
The tables for the especially distinguished
guests were upon the stage.
The hall was beautifully decorated with
flags festoons and streamer5 of bunting.
flowers, ferns. and palms, and these COM
bined with the dresses of the lady guests
and the floral ornamentation OF the tables,
ana the glass and silverware, produced
n dazzling effect
The Marine Band occupied the north
east corner of the hall, and discoursed
the strains of the most popular modern
composers. on the stage were President
Cleveland, Vice-President Stevenson.
Chef-Justice Fuller. Associate-Justice
Harlan, Mr.. George Alfred Townsend,
Postmaster-General Bissell. Secretary La
mont, Private-Secretary Thurber, Cover
nor O'Ferrall, and several members his
staff, Senator John w Daniel Congress-
man James Y. Marshall. T.. h. Mere
dith and w. y. Jones, Judge g. r. Well
ford, Grand Master Mann Page, and
many other members Of the Grand Lodge
of Masons OF Virginia. Hon. Charles II.
Mansue, of Missouri; Hon. Joseph +.
Lawless. Secretary of the Commonwealth;
Mrs. O'Ferrall and the ladies accOmpa-
Dying her TO Fredericksburg. Mrs. Joseph
Bryan, of Richmond; Mrs Amelia Waite,
president of the National Mary Washing
ton Association; Mrs Terhune marion
10 anI 90
nence. other Richmonders occupying
seats around the banquet tables were;
Major James ID. Patton, Mr. Joseph
Bryan. Colonel 10 Lane Stern, DIR. 9. II.
Darlington, who went as surgeon OF the
regiment: Postmaster w. H. Culling-
worth, Mr.. William Ryan. Captain l.. Il.
Christian. Colonel William II. Tanner.
Major Sol Cutchins. Captain George w.
Anderson, Mr.. j. n. Cosby, Mr.. w. &.
Wilkensen. and others.
At the commencement OF the dinner.
which was served in admirable style,
Judge j. b. Sener. chairman OF the Ban
quet Committee, raped the big body to
order, and Rev. Preston Nash, rector or
Christ church. Richmond. and acting
grand chaplain of the Grand Lodge, Offer
ed the invocation.
THE PRESIDENT SPEAKS AGAIN.
1t was lust after this, while the Marine
Band was playing "a familiar air. that the
face OF the President appeared at the
door. and there was u tremendous out
break of applause
Mr. Cleveland was escorted to the stage.
where he was presented TO the audience
by Judge Sener.
rhe President advanced to the edge Of
the platform and said: II feel greatly
embarrassed By the reverence with when
| have been introduced 10 you. and ! feel
more embarrassed by the reverence that
should be given to the association under
whose auspices this splendid entertain
ment is given. congratulate this Ma
sonic body and acknowledge my short
coming in that | am not member Of
the fraternity This is not SO much my
fault as IL IL my misfortune. do belong
TO a fraternity, however, fraternity TO
which George Washington and Andrew
Jackson belonged. 1t is an association
whose interest is q united stand for
American industries, whose watchword Is
the peoples cause. Ii is not as old as
the building OF Solomons temple. but OF
the age OF American institutions. IL Is
a fraternity the fruits OF whoss laoors
will always be liberty and independence.
Would you know the name OF this fra
ternity? 1t Is the free and accepted pa
triotism Of American citizens"
Ths President was tremendously ap-
plauded. Shortly after President Cleve-
land had taken his seat Governor OFFER
rail- entered the banquet hall. The cheers
that greeted him were deafening.
THE GOVERNOR INTRODUCED
In introducing his Exceliency Judge
Sener said that II was a fact that the
Governor Of the State which gave TO the
land the mother Of the Father OF this
country was entitled to distinction.
Governor OFerrail did not attempt to
make a speech. He thanked the chair
man for the courtesy extended him. He
said that he had already talked about Vir-
ginia to-day. He was reminded OF a
banquet which he recently attended in
Atlanta, Ga. On that occasion Rev j.
william Jones spoke upon Virginia. Judge
Kelley talked upon a subject touching
the Old Dominion. the Chief-Justlce of
Georgia talked about the mother OF
States. and he himself discussed the
merits and history OF this glorious old
Commonwealth. The Governor thanked
the audience and those In charge OF the
banquet for the courtesy shown him. told
an anecdote about man who forgot his
speech, and took hts seat.
Mrs. Waite. president OF the National
Mary Washington Association, entered the
hall at this stage Of the proceedings. She
was presented to those present, and
gracefully bowed her acknowledgment.
THE REGULAR TOAsrS.
After the dinner came the regular
toasts and ssasonaea Ths nrst wss 'Tn