Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-11-16
DEATH OF WASHINGTON.
Centennial. Celebration by Masons-
President Asked tn Take Part


WASHINGTON, November 1.-THE
following committee Of prominent Ma
sons, accompanied by Senator Daniel and
notwithstanding Allen, OF the Navy
Department, visited President Mckinley
to-day and invited him to take part in
the ceremonies which will mark the CEN
tennlal of the death of George Washing
ton: ExMayor X. Kemper. Alexandria
Judge X. T. w. Duke, Grand Master of
Virginia.; Judge j. b. Sener, Fredericks-
burg; Colonel NJ. NJ. Parker, of this city
The address presented is as follows:
ADDRESS TO THE PRESIDENT.
'Mr. President,-The Grand Lodge Of
Masons in the State of Virginia, at the
request OF the Grand Lodge of Masons OF
Colorado, have determined TO mark the
centennial of the death of George Wash
ington, first President of the United
States and the general commanding the
armies of the Revolution, by suitable
Masonic ceremonies at Mt. Vernon on
the 14th of December, 1899. In these SER
vices and ceremonies the Grand Lodge of
Virginia Will have the hearty co-opera-
ton OF the Grand Lodge OF Masons in
the District Of Columbia, and probably
ali of the grand lodges in the United
States, besides many of those in foreign
lands. The observances al Mt. Vernon
Will consist, as nearly as possible, of a
duplication or reproduction of the funeral
ceremonies of December 49, 1899 A pro-
cession, to form at the mansion, will
proceed first to the old tomb where
Washington was then buried, at which
point short address will be delivered
by the Grand Master Of Masons of Colo
RADIO AT the new tomb, in which are
contained the remains of General George
Washington. suitable Masonic ceremonies
will take place. The procession will then
pass TO the eastern front of Mt. Vernon
mansion, and there 1t Is hoped that your
Excellency, after a proper Introduction
by the Grand Master OF the Grand Lodge
Of Masons OF Virginia, will deliver such
an address as TO your Excellency as citi-
zen, Mason, and President shall seem
appropriate. Those who stand in your
presence compose In part the committee
Of the Grand >Lodge-of Virginia, charged
TO formulate a suitable programme fol
that interesting occasion. 1t seems meet
to US, and we have no doubt it will e
your Excellency, that the incumbent In
1899 in the char once filed by the Father
Of his Country should be the speaker or
that occasion-an occasion at once remin-
iscent and suggestive and we come ir
cordial acceptance.
FREDERICKSBURG LODGE. No. T.
"In this connection permit us to hant
you a copy Of the history Of Frederlcks
burg Lodge, No g. Fredericksburg, Va.
Mason.
~ A copy OF the history OF Genera
Lafayette's visit to that lodge in 1924.
49, The copy of the address of Genera
| Andrew Jackson on the occasion OF tn
| laying OF the cornerstone 10 Mary, tn
| mother OF Washington. at Fredericksburg
va, In 1893, i'm which General Jackson
then President Of the United States, say
he knew Washington well. and gives hi
personal estimate of him.
~. A copy of the history OF Alexandra
| Washington Lodge. OF Alexandria, Va
| No. %. of which General George Washing
| ton was the first master. Your Mas0ni
| brethren fellcitate themselves that thi
occasion, December H. 1899, will find at tn
head of the government one who. Xix
Washington belongs to the Masonic ordel
an order which has contained In its mem
bership certainly seven Presidents of tn
| United States-Washington Andrew JACK
| son. and James X. Polk. who were Pas
| Grand Masters OF Masons of Tennessee
William Henry Harrison. James Bucf
| anan. Andrew Johnson, James A. Garfield
and your Excellency.
'Praying your Excelency's acceptanc
OF this. our cordial and earnest invtatio
m mite with us in the ceremonies
december Il, 1899 and with the statefner
that your answer is desired. IN order ths
We NAV incorporate it In our report
The Grand Lodge OF Masons Of virginii
which meets at Richmond. December 81
next. and thanking you for this interview
wa await your Excellency's pleasure
THE PRESIDENTS REPLY.
president Mckinley said he saw no re:
son why he could not take part. He al
nroved OF the plans and said that he COZ
s,dered himself Virginia Mason. as !
had been initiated az Winchester.
Iudge Duke, Grand Master OF Virgin
, Nasons. said that the centennial Is q
citing great interest among Masons in a
quarters OF the globe. Letters have be-
received from New Zealand lodges saylr
that they will send representatives.
The closing portion OF the celebrate
will he I'm this city. Washington lode
will honor the thousands OF visiting NJ
sons with a reception and banquet II
expected that Masons from every civiliz.
| country on the globe will be here.
u>.vfh Conditions at Manila Bette