The San Francisco call., 1899-12-14
T amous Men Will
Meet To-Day at the
Mount Vernon
Tomb.

z
States win pay universal tribute 10
the honorcd memory of George
WASHINGTON. Wherever in the |
American Union men are gathered
in communities there will be cele-
hratiors mcmorative of the man
whose name. after more than a century |
~ national Nfo is stan the greatest and
the nohlcst I'm America s. roll OF fame. In
their preparations for this remarkable
event men have forgotten their differ
ences Of creed and color; they have sub
ducd their antagonisms of politics and
sectionalism. they have subordinated
everything else 10 the one splendid
thought of giving homage 20 the memory
Of the greatest of Americans.
One hundred years ago to-day George
Washington died and millions 81 people
who believe that in him were the crea-
tive forces of a great and good nation
will to-day pay TO his almost sacred mem
ory solemn and rcvcrential tribute. In
many respects this celebration viii be
one Of the most remarkable In the his
tory OF the world. Never perhaps IN the
history of the nations has a man been
honorcd hy The tribute OF such countless
thousands as Washington win be hon
orcd to-day.
Pilgrims win come from every civilized
nation on earth 20 pay reverence at the
Mount Vernon tomb. The President OF
the United States viii speak ~ the viz
tues OF THE first President and hudle In
the minds ~ his hearers the hres OF pa
tri0tism that live now as they lived
hundred years ago. Men famous I'm every
walk of American lie. men whose ener-
Fics and personality make all that Is good
in the nation. viii spend the day in ser
vices of respect and reverence. Judges Of
the supreme Court of the United States.
members OF the Presidents Cabinet Off
Gers of the army and navy, members OF
the United States Senate and OF the House
Of Representatives. ambassadors from
foreign Governments. representatives
from every State ana Territory In the
Union and delegates from Canada, Aus
tralia, Mexico. Europe. Asia and South
America win unite in This most remark
able celebration that IL 10 be the testi-
mony of a nations love FOR its dead.
IN every hamlet. town and city of Amer
ica ceremonies commemorative of the day
viii be- held. Citizens have united TO
make this day one I'm which all may
honor a thought felt by all. While men
and women in every city OF the Union are
engaged in the ceremonies that have long
been in preparation the central and most
important service OF them all will be held
al Mount Vernon. II may not be gener-
ally known. but il is a fact that the Ma
sonic fraternity. Of which Washington
was "A member. has been preparing for
five wears Cor the celebration which Will
De held to-day ar Mount Vernon
There "a vast concourse of men Will
gather from many lands TO honor the
dead patriot. Services symbolic of the
last solemn rites that were performed
over the body OF Washington one hundred
years ago viii he held. IL was at first
intended 20 have perfect duplicate of
the death service. even TO the Use OF
coffin hut this was felt 10 be too theatTi-
ca and viii not be done 4 great process
sion Will De formed AT the mansion
and will move in solemn march TO Wash
ington's tomb. where the Masonic service
~ death Will he read. Bishop Randolph
OF Virginia viii read the prayer, and
direes Will hc sung Addresses Will be de-
uvored by prominent members OF the or
der and responses viii be given by rep
rcsentatives of every State and Territory
in the United States
Every effort viii be made 10 render the
celebration one Of marked dignity and
solemnity While the great procession
of soldiers and civilians. ministers OF
state and leaders in the affairs OF 'he
Western World ls moving 10 the tomb
minute-guns VIII boom from the guns Of
warshlps After the services have been
concluded az the tomb the procession w:n
return 10 the mansion. where President
Mckinley Will deliver the chief address
OF the day. Not a detail in a splan5id
ceremonial viii be overlooked and there
Is little question that the day will live
as one 81 tho most remarkable in the
history of America.
In the assembly-room of the Masonic
lodge of which Washington was a mem
ber Us an antique clock. whose hands
point 10 twenty minutes past 10 o'clock
That clock mas been there for over hun
ored years. Just "A century ago tonight
the hands were turned 10 indicate the
hour they now tell and no one has
touched thcm since. IL was at twenty
minutes past 10 o'clock on the night OF
December H. 1893. that Washington. alter
an illness of twenty-four hours. died. lie
had taken cold and death with rapid
strides came upon him.
He was buried under Masonic auspices
and to-day will be chanted the same
words that consigned him TO the grave.
The same ceremonial will be observed.
the same dirres viii be sung and through
out the vast eXpsnse OF the American con-
tinent men and women will be offering
the tribu.e OF their loving remembrance
10 the greatest OF the nations dead