Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-12-15
A TRIBUTE 70 WASHINGTON
PRESIDENT M'KINIEY THE ORA
TOR OF THE DAY AT MT.
VERNON.
Masonic Services HeId-An Impress
sive Ceremonial in which the
Grand Masters of the Original
Thirteen States Participated.
Wreaths and Evergreens Deposit
ed ON the Tomb of the First Presi-
dent.


Mount Vernon was the scene to-day
of the most unique and impres5ing
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 SER
vices commemorating the Tooth ami
versary Of the death OF the great Amer
lean. President Mckinley delivered
an eloquent tribute to the memory of
the first President and Senators and
Representatives in Congress, high Of
ficials of the government and distin-
guished private citizens were partici-
pants and spectators Of the solemn
service. Later in the day when the
Masonic ceremonies had been conclud-
ed the Independent Order of Red Men
succeeded them in honoring the mem
DRY of Washington with the rites of
their order.
The Masons went from this city to
Mt. Vernon by steamer. Headed by
Col. Robert White, of Wheeling, W.
Va, the grand marshal, the procession
marched to the wharf and embarked.
At Alexandria they were Joined by the
Federal Grand Lodge of Virginia and
the journey to Mt. Vernon was resum-
ed. President Mckinley left the White
House shortly before 10 o'clock and
was taken to Mt. Vernon by a special
train on an electric line. At Mt. Yer
non. the procession was formed in line
at the mansion where President Nc
Kinley and other distinguished guests
Joined it, and moved solemnly to the
old vault where first reposed the re-
mains of Washington. This procession
was formed and moved in exact order
and over the same path which was
followed at Washington"s funeral.
Hating at the vault the Third caval-
ry band played a funeral d1rge n
the Rt. Rev. A NJ. Randolph, bishop
of the Southern Episcopal diocese of
Virginia, offered an invocation. This
was followed by an address by the
grand master of the Masons Of Color
ado, and the procession then moved
to the tomb, where the remains of
Washington To- lie.
Here occurred the impressive SER
vices of the Masonic ritual. The grand
masters of the Is original States form
ed in line facing the representatives
of the other jurisdictions and the grand
lodge and other brethren standing in
a circle around the tomb with Joined
hands. Then the grand master of Vir-
ginia called upon each of the jurisdic-
tions in turn for the messages and
tributes sent by them. AS the grand
master of California, representing the
Western States, concluded the follow
ing responses were made:
The Craft: Amen"
All the grand masters: ooh, death,
where is thy sting?"
The Craft: ooh, grave, where is thy
victory?"
The grand masters then deposited
their wreaths and e~vergreens, and the
craft slowly marched past, laying on
the tomb their tributes. Upon reach
ing the mansion the lines were drawn
up and President Mckinley delivered
an address. He was introduced by the
grand master of Virginia and listened
to in profound and impressive silence.
He spoke as follows:
We have just participated in a ser
vice commemorative of the one hum
dredth anniversary of the death OF
George Washington. Here at his old
home, which he loved so well and
which the patriotic women of the coun-
try have guarded with loving hands.
exercises are conducted under the aus
pices of the great fraternity of Masons,
which a century ago planned and exeN
cuted the solemn ceremonial which at
tended the father of his country TO his
tomb. The lodge in which he was in
itiated and the one over which he af-
terward presided as worshipful mater
are to-day represented here in token
of profound respect to the memory of
their most illustrious member and be-
loved 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 the
grand lodges of the country to render
the ceremonies IS dignifed and inn
pressive as possible. and most cordial
greetings have come from across u
borders and from beyond the sea. Not
alone in this country, but throughout
the world have Masons taken especial
interest in the observance of this CEN
tennial anniversary. The fraternity
justly claims the immortal patriot as
one of its members; the whole human
family acknowledge him as one of it's
greatest b~enefactors. Public bodies.
patriotic societies and other organlza-
dans. our ciHzsas svsExHhGa have