The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-12-15

Duke, delivered the following Grafton
as a tribute to Washington:
We have Just participated in a ser
vice commemorative Of the Tooth an
niversary of the death of George
Washington.
Here in his old home which he loved
so well, and which the patriotic women
of the country have guarded, exercises
are conducted under the auspices of
the great fraternity of Masons, which
g century ago planned and executed
the solemn ceremonial which attended
the father of his country to his tomb.
'Ihe lodge in which he was initiated
and the one over which he afterwards
presided as worshipful master, accord
ed positions of honor at his obsequies,
are today represented here in token of
profound respect to the memory of
their most illustrious member and be-
loved brother
Not alone in this country but
throughout the world, have Masons
Joined in the observation of this CEN
tennial anniversary
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
the object of his most earnest solicit
tude. has steadily and wonderfully
developed along the lines which his
sagacity and foresight carefully
planned. It has stood every trial, and.
at the dawn of a century is stronger
than ever.
During all the intervening years it
has been true. forever true, to the pre-
cepts of the constitution which he and
his illustrious colleagues framed for it's
guidance and government.
He was the national architect
says Bancroft, the historian, and but
for him. the nation could not have
achieved its independence, could not
have formed its union. could not have
put the present government into oper-
alton.
He has neither precedent nor pre-
Gecessor. His work was original and
constructive, and has successfully stood
the severest tests. He selected the site
for the capital Of the republic he found
ed, and gave it the name of Federal
City but the commission substituted
the name of Washington as the more
fitting, and to be a perpetual recogni-
tion Of the services of the commander
in chief of the continental army. the
present convention which framed
the constitution and the first president
of the republic. More than 10000 900
People acknowledge his triumph.
Your own minds must tell you the
active character of the man. A de-
scriDtion of the Warlike skill, the pro-
found wisdom. the prudence, the hero
ism and integrity which he displayed
In the character of command.
And on the day preceding Dec. g.
1893 in the couDse of his memorable flu
neral Grafton before the House of
Congress, Maj Gen. Lee, then a rep
resentative from Virginia, expressed
sentiments as forceful today as in those
early years of our national life:
To the horrid din of battle sweet
peace succeeded, and our virtuous chief
mindful only Of common good, in mo-
hent tempting personal aggrandize-
ment. hushed the discomfort of growing
sedition. and surrendering his power
into the hands from which he had re-
ceived it, converted his sword into a
ploughshare, teaching an admiring
world that to be truly great you must
be truly good
After lapse of a century he is bet
ter appreciated, more perfectly under
stood mere thoroughly venerated and
loved them when he lived. He remains
an eYer-increasing influence for good in
every part and sphere of action of the
republic. He is recognized as not only
IHe IuOSl IdT-SlBnL6u statesman OF MS
generation, but as having had almost
a prophetic vision.
HE built not alone for his own time,
but for the great future, and pointed
the rightful solution of many of the
problems which were to arise in the
years to come.
1.-THE nation needs at this moment the
help of his wise example. In dealing
with our vast responsibilities, we TURN
to him. We invoke the counsel of his
life and character and courage. We
summon his precepts that we may keep
his pledges to maintain justice and
law. education and morality and civil
and religious liberty in every part of
our country, the new as well as the
old"
The president was interrupted fire.
Quently by applause, and at the close
OF his Grafton he was cheered heartily
The exercises at the mansion were con-
cluded with a benediction pronounced
by Brother Edward N. Catfish, rabbi of
Beth Ahaba synagogue, of Richmond
Va.
At o'clock a delegation of the I'm
proved Order of Red Men, in charge of
the great incohonee, Hon. George E.
Green Of Binghamton, N. Y, and Hon
Charles H. Litchman Of Marblehead,
nr RuIl,a Gang 4, SvPun IL "A Sueedv