Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-09-11
THE WASHINGTON MEMORIAL.

1ne MasoDS OF the EuRliSn speaking
world will gather at Alexaudria next
December, to pay tribute to the memory
Of George Washington, on the l0O:h
university OF the death of the patriot
Tne idea of centennial memorial
service was promulgated by the Grand
Lodge OF Colorado in 1894 From the
same source came the suggestion that
the celebration should be held in Alex
sndria.
The reasons that prompted this sug-
gested are not far to seek.
Washington was the first Master
of the Alexandria Lodge, which,
lfom this fact, has come to be called
the Alexardrie- Washington Lodge.
Washington was made q Mason in Fred
ericksburg Lodge, and was asked 10
become the first Master of the Alex
andria Lodge when that body was Or
ganized.
There have been, and there still are,
skeptics who refuse to believe that
Washington was ever made Mason at
all, but the fact is proved indisputsbly
by the existence of letter from Wash
ington in the archives of the Massachu
setts Grand Lodge.
When he was retiring from the presi
dency of the United States the Grand
Lodge of Massachusetts wrote, express.
ing the great regret of that Jurisdiction.
Iu replying to this testimonial of regard,
Washington wrote my attachment to
the society of which We are members
will dispose me always to contribute
my best endeavors to promote the hon
or and interest Of the craft. :"
The remains of George Washington
were laid to rest, in the first place, with
Masonic ceremonies, on the 14th day OF
December, 1899.
Colorado has suggested that the
Grand Lodge of Virginia shall take
precedence in the memorial services
with which it is proposed to mark the
Tooth anniversary OF that event. The
arrangement has been left to commit
tee, of which the following gentlemen
are members: Grand Master r. T. ".
Duke, Of Charlottesville; Senators
Daniel and Martin; Major A r Court
ney, of Richmond, Past Grand Master;
Msjor Mann Page, of Brandon, Past
Grand Master; Kosciosko Kemper, OF
Alexandria, and other distinguished
gentlemen.
Special provision was made at the
last meeting of the Grand Lodge of Vir-
sioia to hold the next annual NEE ing
on December 18th, 14,h, and l5.h, at
Alexandria, in order that that body
might take part in the proceedings.
Nearly all of the grand lodges in the
United States, Canada and other Eng
lish speaking countries have contribut-
ed towards the celebration, and will be
represented at the ceremonies.
Conspicuous positions will be given
in the proceedings to the Alexandria
and Fredericksburg lodges, in view OF
Washington's connection with them.
The ceremonies will resemble, as far
as possible, those which marked the
burial of the distiuguishe general.
Warships will be gathered in the Po-
tomac, and will lend the thunder OF
the minute gun to the impressiveness
of the occasion.
The Masonic ceremonies over, Pres
ident Mckinley, himself Mason, VIII
deliver an address at the tomb of
Washington at Mount Vernon
Each grand lodge has been requested
by the committee to be present iD the
person of the Grand Master, or such
representative as he may appoint. The
Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, alone OF
all the lodges in this country, has de-
clined to participate in the event, on
the ground that it is understood that
they will not take part in any proceed
ings outside their own jurisdiction.
In many instances very large delega-
tions will be present from the various
grand lodges. Maryland and the Dis
trict Of Colum bia will be very largely
represented, nearly every member OF
the grand lodges in these Jurisdictions
being present. Richmond Dispatch.