Evening star., 1898-04-12
q the Grand Loass, Who formally opened
Di.ti.s-i.hea4 Gatherans.

Of the Grand Lodss, who formally opened
the exercises.
DiatinguisheaI Gatherang.
President Small and Grand Master Palm
er stood at a table o1f the elevated stage
above the main entrance and in front Of the
Swiss village, which occupies the gallery.
A distinguished gathering utilized the re-
mainder' of the plktfoffn. 1t included the
Secretary of Agriculture, James H. Wilson;
the District CoEntissi9ners, Messrs. Ross,
Mantle, Senator Perkins, Past Grand Mas.
ter of Knights Tsmplar Hopkins, Warren
La Rue Thomas. gtandl master of Templars
Of the United States; the members of the
District Grand Lodge. Director General Geo.
w. Evans. General Secratary Howard Per-
ry and, the following cilairmen of commit
tees, who comprise the board of control:
Thomas Somerville, advisory: Samuel H.
Walker, finance: las. L. Norris. cash con-
tributions; Allison Nailor, general contribu-
tons; Frank H. Thomas, outside donations;
John C. Chaney, music: Edwin B. Hay, en-
tsrtainment; John H. Olcott, ladies'; Thos.
p. Morgan, visitors; Frank ri Hosford
press; James A. Sample, audit: George (sih.
son. printing; s. NJ. Yeatman, order: c. s.
Domer, uniformed organisations: James
Lansburgh. guarantee, and Joseph ]. Dar-
lngton, general counsel
The Scene Impressive.
From all directions impressive, the scene
was particularly so from the elevated seats
| OF the chorus in the rear Of the stage
From the entrance to the rear of the vast
hall, banked as closely as comfort would
| permit. between the brilliantly decorated
booths, with the stars and stripes gleam-
iIg above them, were the representative
people of Washington. A more picturesque
| gatnerlng was never assembled in the
| capital city. The bright colors of the dec
| oratiohs Of the fair itself were riyaled by
the srring-like blossoming of the ladies'
hats and gowns. Looking down Central
| avenue 1t seemed as though the eye rested
OH an animated plat filed with all the
| bright blossoms imaginable But it was
yet to be that the crowd was to become a
| more effective ally of the beauty of the
scene, just as 1t was Of The substantial
size Of the enterprise.
| President Small as stated, merely intro
dnced the grand master, who proceeded to
read from manuscript a short address
| After reciting the object of the enterprise
| reason OF the energy displayed by the MEM
| bers of the craft and their mothers and
wives. their daughters, sisters and sweet
| hearts, and a1ludiEg to the encouraging
support and Endorsement of the national
and city governments, the grand master
| concluded as follows:
I'VE therefore confidently hope that a
nucleus will be formed from the proceeds
| Of this Masonic fair which will expand and
| grow until 1t shall result in the construc-
tfon of temple the plans of which will be
| CoHcelVeu IN Wisoon, strength be displayed
In It's construction, and the beauty of har-
mony prevail in It's interior adornment
| that 1t may prove for ages yet to come a
4 joy to the sojourner in our midst, as well
as shrine to attract our brethren Of all
| tongues and climes.
| 1T was expected that our ilIustrious
brother. William Mckinley, President of
the United States, would be with us and
exigencies of the public service prevent
| his attendance. Nevertheless, he is with
| US in spirit and assures the president of
the board Of control OF his good wishes for
| the success OF our Undertaking, and in or
| der to emphasize that feeling has provided
electrical connection between this hall and
the executive Office, rand will assist in
bringing us us to further light. when. the
opened for the TRANSACTION of business
President Touched the Hutton.
Just as Mr. Palmer, geached his conclud-
ing sentence there was, sharp jingle Of a
gong that sent a deep wave of satisfaction
ripping over the, Multitude. A moment
later the murm1ir rose to resounding
cheers, as from COUNTLESS incandescent
| globes burst forth electric brilliancy Pres
ident McKinley's finger had touched at the
! White House the1fittIe disks which sent
the electric currents " sound the one and
| transform the others. The result was, IN
deed a. transformation. Every detail in
| the vast structures was brought out with
| telling accuracy and all bore the scrutiny,
| no matter how critical 1t might be- From
the stage the sight was superb, and from
| the floor the scene was no less attractive
| On the north wall CLEANED and puisated
| an immense electric Masonic emblem in
beautiful colors, with the. name Of PEN
| talpha Ledge in regal letters burning be-
low 1t. ~ = s -''e " -
At the other end Of the hall observers,
| something significant. High. on the frown-
| ing front of, the. battlements giving. en-
| trance to the "olde English village" was
the union jack of England. fanked on
this arrangement few feet was the word
! Harmony" and under this, In characters
SO small as to- be scarcely distinguishable
at little distances was "No. IT." From
rangement of the two emblems of the two
great English-speaking nations was ex-
plessive, indeed. and the combination was
widely commented on.
Greetings From the White House.
There was little time, however, to re.
fleet upon these beauties at the period un-
der consideration, because the President of
the United States had not yet concluded
his participation in the Inauguration Of the
grand enterprise. Through the telephone
from the White House to President Small,
who sat with receiver at his ear at
small table in front Of the stage. President
Mckinley sent the following message:
1.-THE President sends greetings to the
fraternity, and wishes them every possible
success"
simultaneously with the reception of the
message. President Small transferred the
greeting to a monograph at his side, and
by the means of this instrument the words
OF the executive were transmitted to the
people. No sooner had the message been
concluded than Director Donald B. Mcleod
waved his baton. The National Guard Bril-
gade Band sounded chord. and at this
signal, the great chorus gushed forth
America" Hats and -handkerchiefs were
waved in the air by the exultant crowds,
and, beginning with cheers, the throngs
took up the words of the national anthem
and chorus and crowd sang the verses to-
gether. The effect OF this was magnificent,
and in the succeeding selections rendered
by the chorus the rare ability Of the sing
ers was demonstrated in striking degree.
The 800 voices comprised the very best
in the District. including the most cultured
soloists and capable vocalists. and while
Mozart's GLORY and the Soldiers Choir
us from Faust were given with splendid
discrimination, the rendition of Rossinrs
God of Israeli would have been remarked
wherever cultured musical taste could have