The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-12-15
The Greatest American Died One
Hundred Years Ago.
Ooh, DEATH, WHERE Is THY STING"
Mt. Vernon Was Honored With the
Greatest Occasion in It's Pictur-
esque History Unique Cere-
mony of Masonic Graft

Washington, December 14.-With solemn
pomp and circumstances, with ceremonies
beautiful, impressive and appropriate in the
presence of distinguished assemblage and
in the splendor of ideal autumn weather,
the centennial of the death of George
Washington was commemorated today at
Mount Vernon.
That Mount Vernon should have been Sc
1ected as the sceno of the ceremony was
peculiarly fitting. There it was that the
happiest incidents of Washington's life
Cured. In other parts he endured his
trials, on other fields he won his triumphs;
but there, surrounded by those whom best
he loved were spent the restful, quiet stud
ious hours of his life. There it was, too,
that he sickened and died; and there all
that was mortal of him was laid to eternal
rest in a mausoleum overlooking a broad
sweep of the picturesque Potomac.
Todays ceremonies were elaborately
planned and successfully carried to frui-
tion. They were conducted by the Masonic
bodies and by the Red Men of the United
States
Tho movement for the days observance
originated in 1893 with the grand lodge of
Masons of the state of Colorado, the propo-
sition being made by William D. Wright,
Grand Master of Colorado, who was pres
ent to witness the carrying into effect of his
long cherished idea.
Charge of the ceremonies incident to to-
days commemoration was placed in the
hands of the Masons of Virginia, it being
an the Old Dominion that Washington was
obligated as a Master Mason and there
that he participated enthusiastically in Ma
sonic work and observanccs. The officers
of the grand lodge of Virginia and the men,
bership of Fredericksburg lodge, in which
Washington was made Mason and of
Washing lodge, over which
he presided as worshipful master, had the
chief part in the duty of seeing that today's
observances were appropriate.
Solemn and Beautiful
The duty was well performed as was evil
denced by the solemnity and beauty of the
ceremonies and by the immense concourse
of Masons present. Thousands were in at
tendance from all parts of the country and
almost every Jurisdiction in the United
States and a few from foreign countries
were represented by their grand officers.
Later in the day when the Masonic cere-
monies had been concluded, the Indepen-
dent Order of Red Men succeeded them in
the rites of their order.
President Mckinley, himself an enthusias-
tic Mason, was accompanied to Mount Ver-
non by Secretary of State Hay, Secretary
of the Treasury Gage, Secretary of the
Navy Long, Secretary of the Interior Hitch
cock Secretary of Agriculture Wilson and
Postmaster General Smith of the cabinet;
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Allen and
Major-General Miles ,Adjutant-General Cor
bin, Major John A. johnson and Senator
W. A. Clark, of Montana, past grand mas
ter of his state.
The Masons went from this city to Mt.
Vernon by steamer At Alexandria they
were joined by the Federal Grand Lodge of
Virgizia, and the journey to Mt. Vernon
was resumed.
President Mckinley left the white house
shortly before 10 o'clock, and was taken to
Mt. Vernon by a special train an elec-
trio line. At Mt. Vernon the procession
was formed in line at the mansion where
President Mckinley and other distinguished
guests Joined 1t and moved solemnly to the
old vault where first reposed the remains
of Washington. This procession was form
ed and moved in exact order and over the
same path which was followed at Wash
ingtons funeral.
Hating at the vault, the Third Cavalry
band played funeral dirge and the Rt.
Rev.A. NJ. Randolph, bishop of the South
ern Episcopal diocese of Virginia, offered
an invoca ton. This was followed by an ad-
dress by the Grand Master OF MaSOnS or
Colorado and the procession then moved
on to the tomb where the remains of Wash
ington now lie.
The Masonic Ceremony
Here occurred the impressive services Of
the Masonic ritual. The grand masters of
the thirteen original states formed in line
facing the representatives of other jurisdic-
tlons and the Grand Lodge and other brsth-
rem standing in a circle around the tomb
Joined hands. Then the grand master of
Virginia called upon each of the jurisdic-
tions in turn for the messages and tributes
sent by them.
AS the grand master of California, repre-
xenting the western states, concluded, the
following responses were made;
The craft: "Amen!'
All of the grand masters: "Oh, death,
where is thy sting?"
The craft: "Oh, grave, where is thy vic
tory?"
The grand masters then deposited their
wreaths and evergreens. and the craft
slowly marched past the tomb laying their
tributes.
Upon reaching the mansion the lines were
drawn up, and President Mckinley deliv-
cred an address. He was introduced by the
grand master of Virginia, and delivered an
eloquent oration, which was listened to in
profound and impressive silence.
The services concluded with benedic-