The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-12-14
Centennial of the Death of the
First President
Celebrated at lit. Vernon With
Impressive Ceremonies.
MASONS AND RED MEN.
These Orders Have Charge of
the Exercises.
President Mckinley Delivers
the Memorial Address.

Washington, Dec. 14.-Mount Vernon
was the scene today of the most unique
and impressive ceremony in its rich
and picturesque history. Masons of
high degree from all over the United
States and Canada met at the tomb
of Washington in services commenor-
ating the one hundredth anniversary Of
the death of the greatest American.
President Mckinley delivered an eIo-
quent tribute to the memory of the
first president and senators and repre-
sentatives in congress, high officials of
the government and distinguished pri-
Vate citizens were participants and
spectators of the solemn service.
Later in the day when the Masonic
ceremonies had been concluded the In
dependent Order of Red Men succeeded
them in honoring the memory of Wash
ington with the rites of their order
The MasOns went from this city to
Mount Vernon by steamer, headed by
Colonel Robert White, of Wheeling, W.
Va, the grand marshal The process
sion marched to the wharf and en-
barked. At Alexandria they were join
ed by the Federal Grand Lodge of Vir-
ginia and the journey to Mount Vernon
was resumed.
President Mckinley left the White
House shortly before 10 o'clock and was
taken to Mount Vernon by a special
train on an electric line.
At Mount Vernon the procession was
formed in line at the Mansion, where
President Mckinley and other distin-
guIShed guests Joined 1t and moved SOL
EMMY to the vault. where first repOsed
the remains of Washington This pro-
cessiOn was formed and moved in the
which was followed at Washington's
funeral. Hating at the vault, the
Fourth Cavalry band played a funeral
dirge and the Right Rev. =. NJ. Ran
oil fET. h
pal diocese of Virginia offered an in
vocation.
This was followed by an address by
the grand master of Masonry in Colo
RADIO and the procession then moved on
to the tomb, where the remains of
Washington now lie.
Here occurred the impressive services
of the Masonic ritual The grand mas
ters of the thirteen original states
formed in line, facing the representa-
ttVes of the other jurisdiction and the
grand lodge and other brethren stand
ing in a circle around the tomb with
Joined hands. Then the grand master
of Virginia called upon each of the jur-
isdictions in turn for the messages and
tributes sent by them.
AS the grand master of California,
representing the western states, con
mede:
The Craft: Amen"
All of the grand masters: ooh death,
where is thy sting?"
The craft: oh grave, where is thy
VictOry?''
The grand masters then deposited
their wreaths and evergreens and the
craft slowly marched past laying on
the tomb their tributes. Upon reach
ing the mansion the lines We're drawn
up and President Mckinley delivered
an address. He was introduced by the
grand master of Virginia, and deliver
ed an eloquent Grafton, which was list
ened to in profound and impressive ST
lence.
The services concluded with a bene-
dictiOn by Brother a. N. Galisch, rabbi
of Beth Ahaba synagogue, Richmond,
Va.
THE PRESIDENTS ADDRESS.
We have just participated in a service
commemorative of the one hundredth
anniversary of the death of George
Washington. Here at his old home
which he loved so we'll, and which the
patriotic women of the country have
guarded with loving hands, exercises
are conducted under the auspices of
the great fraternity of MasOns, which
century ago planned and executed the
solemn ceremonial which attended the
Father of his Country to his tomb. The
lodge in which he was initiated and
the one over which he afterwards pre-
sided as wOrshipful master, accorded
positions of honor at his Obsequies, are
today represented here in token of pro-
found respect to the memory of their
most illustriOus member and beloved
brother.
MdSOnS throughout the OnlleQ SlaleS
testify anew their reverence for the
name of Washington and the inspiring
example of his life. Distinguished rep
resentatives are here from all the
grand lodges of the country to render
the cerem Onies as dignified and impress
siVe as possible, and most cordial greet
ings have come from across our Dor
deTS and from beyond the sea.
Not alone in this country but through
out the world, have Masons taken espe-
cia1 interest in the observance of this
centennial anniversary. The fraternity
justly claims the immortal patriot as
one of it's members; the whole human
family acknowledges him as one of its
best benefactors. Public bodies,
patriotic societies and other organiza--
lions, our citizens everywhere have
esteemed it a privilege today to pay
their tribute to his memory and to the
splendor of his achievements in the
advancement of justice and liberty
among men.
His fair name, secure in its immor-
tality, shall shine through countless
ages with undiminished lustre.
The struggling republic for which
Washington was willing to give his
life and for which he ever freely spent
his fortune and which at all times was