The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1899-12-21
NATIONS HOMAGE.
MASONIC ORDER ASSEMBLIES AT
wAsHINGTON's TOMB.
THE PRESIDENTS GRAFTON.
Tributes to the Father of His Country
Impressive Ceremonies Solemn Process
sion on the One Hundredth Anniversary
of the Death of the Great Soldier ana
Statesman Many Visiting Masons.

Washington, Especial. with solemn
pomp and circumstance, with ceremonies,
beautiful, impressive and appropriate, in
the presence of distinguished assemblage,
and In the full splendor OF ideal autumn
weather, the centennial OF the death Of
George Washington was commemorated
Thursday at Mount Vernon.
The ceremonies were elaborately planned
and successfully carried to frultion. They
were conducted by the Masonic bodies and
by the Red Men of the United States. The
movement for the days observance origin
ated In 1898 with the Grand Lodge OF Masons
OF the state of Colorado, the proposition
being made by Most Worshipful william D.
wright grand master OF Colorado, who was
present to witness the carrying into effect OF
his long-cherlshed idea. Charge of the
ceremonies incident to the commemoration
were placed In the hands Of the Masons OF
virginia, 1t being in the Old Dominion that
washington was obligated AS u master
Mason and there that he participated enthu.
siilstically In Masonic work and obseryances.
Ihe officers OF the Grand Lodge OF Virginia
and the membership OF Fredericksburg
Lodge, In which Washington was made
Mason, and Of Washington alexander Lodge,
over which he presided us worshipful mas
ter. had the chief part In the duty Of seeing
that the observanccs were appropriate.
thousands were In attendance from all parts
oil the country aud almost every jurisdiction
In the United States and few from foreign
countries were represented by some OF their
grand officers and members.
Tho visiting Masons, many accompanied
by the ladies Of their families, congregated
In Washington early, and, escorted by the
Masonic bodies of the District OF Columbia,
headed by the Grand Lodge OF the District,
made the pilgrimage to Mount Vernon by
boat. At ten o'clock President Mckinley.
himself an enthusiastic Mason. accompanied
oy Secretary OF State Hay, Secretary Of the
treasury Gage, Secretary of the Navy Long
secretary OF the Interior Hitchcock, Secre-
tary OF Agriculture Wilson and Postmaster
General smith. OF the Cabinet; Assistant
Secretary OF the Navy Allen, Major General
Miles, Adjutant General Corbin, Secretary
Porter, Assistant Secretary Cortelyou, Major
John A. Johnston. and Senator w. A. Clark,
OF Montana, past Grand Master of his state,
lett Washington on a special electric train
Tor Mount Vernon, arriving there at eleven
O'Clock. The presidential party was greeted
by Grand Master Duke, of Virginia, and by
him escorted to the mansion.
At Mount Vernon the procession was
formed in line at the mansion. where Presl-
dent Mckinley and other distinguished
guests joined it, and moved solemnly to the
old vault where first reposed the remains OF
Washington. This procession was formed
and moved in the exact order and over the
same path which was followed mt Washing
tons funeral
Here occurred the impressive services OF
the Masonic ritual. The grand masters of
the thirteen original states formed In line
facing the representatives of the other juris-
dictions, and the grand lodge and other
brethren standing Ia u circle around the
tomb with joined hands. Then the grand
master OF Virginia called upon each Of the
jurisdictions in turn for the messages and
tributes sent by them.
Then the grand master of the District OF
Columbia deposited within the tomb the
lambskin apron as a token OF innocence; the
grand master OF Missouri deposited the
white glove as u token of friendship, and
the grand master Of California deposited the
evergreen rs an emblem OF the Masonic faith
In the resurrection of the body and the i'm
mortality OF the soul.
Scores OF beautiful wreaths aod punches
OF evergreens were then deposited within the
tomb, one of the most beautiful tokens an
immense wreath OF ivy. immortelles and
acacia blossoms being offered by President
Mckinley.
Upon reaching the mansion the lines were
drawn up, and President Mckinley delivered
an address, He was introduced by the
grand master OF Virginia, and delivered an
eloquent Grafton. which was listened to in
profound and impressive silence.