The record-union., 1899-12-15

Communicating the Centennial Anniversary
Of the First Presidents Death.

A~S . - - --D- ~>SSS
Auspices of the Masons, Follow
ed Later in the Day by Those of
the Improved Order Of Red Men
Eloquent Tributes to the
Memory of Washington by Pres
ident Mckinley and Senator
Depew.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 14.-Mount
Vernon was the scene to-day 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
concentrating the one hundredth an
niversary of the death Of the greatest
American. President Mckinley deliv-
cred an eloquent tribute to the memory
| of the first President, and Senators and
REPRESENTATIVES in Congress, high Off
Gals of the Government and distin-
guished private citizens were partici-
pants and spectators of the solemn
services.
| Later
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
joined by the Federal Grand Lodge. of
Virginia, and the journey to Mount
| Vernon was resumed.
| President Mckinley left the White
House shortly before IL O'Clock, and
was taken to Mount Vernon on a spe-
cial train on the electric line, being es-
corted by all the members of the Cab
| met who were in the city, General
Miles and General Corbin.
| At Mount Vernon the procession was
formed in line at the Mansion, where
President Mckinley and other distin-
guished guests joined it, and moved SOL
EMMY to the vault, where first reposed
the remains Of Washington. This pro-
| cession was formed and moved in the
exact order and over the same path
which was followed at Washington's
| funeral.
Hating at the vault, the Third Cav
airy band played a funeral dirge, and
the Right Rev. A. M. Randolph, Bishop
of the Southern Episcopal Diocese of
Virginia, offered an invocation. This
was followed by an address by the
Grand Master of Masons in Colorado,
and the procession then moved on to
the tomb where the remains of Wash
ington now lie.
Here occurred the impressive services
of Masonic ritual. The Grand Masters
of the thirteen original States formed
in line facing the representatives Of the
other jurisdictions and the Grand Lodge
and other brethren ranging in a circle
around the tomb with joined hands
Then the Grand Master of Virginia
called upon each of the jurisdictions in
turn for the MESA ges and tributes sent
by them.
AS the Grand Master of California,
Guided, the following responses were
made:
The Craft-Amen.
All of the Grand Masters-Oh, death,
where is thy sting?
LIE SIdll-OH, grave, where is tiny
victory?
The Grand Masters then deposited
their wreaths and evergreens and the
craft slowly marched past, laying on
the tomb their tributes
Upon reaching the Mansion the lines
were drawn up, and President McKin-
ley delivered an address. He was in
troduced by the Grand Master Of vir-
GINA, and delivered an eloquent ora
ton, which was listened to in pro-
found and impressive silence President
Mckinley spoke as follows:
I'VE have just participated in SER
vice commemorative of the one hun
dredth anniversary Of the death of
George Washington. At has 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 a
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 afterward presided
as Worshipful Master, accorded posi-
lions of honor at his obseuuies. are to-
day represented here in token of pro-
found respect to the memory of their
illustrious member and beloved brother.
"Masons throughout the United States
testify anew their reverence for the
name of washington, and the inspiring
example of his life. Distinguished rep,
resentatives are here from all Grand
Lodges of the country to render cere-
monies as dignified and Impressive as
possible and most cordial greetings
have come from across our borders and
from beyond the sea-
mot alone in this country. but
throughout the world, have Masons
taken special interest in the observ-
ance 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 greatest benefactors. Pub
lie bodies, patriotic societies and other
organizations, our citizens everywhere
have esteemed it a privilege to-day 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
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