The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-12-15
HONOR
Memorial Services Conducted al the Tomb
at Mount Vernon.
aGsoNs had IT TN THEIR CHARGE
And Many Were Thcre--Presidcnt
Mckinley Made an Address--ked
Men Ind Part In 1t.

Washington. December 14.--Mount YER
non was the scene today OF the most
unique and Impressive ceremonies in It's
picturesque history. Masons of high de-
gree from all over the United states and
Canada met at the tomb Of Washington IN
services concentrating the one nun
dredth anniversary of the death OF the
great statesman. President Mckinley de-
livered tribute to the memory Of the
first president. and senators and congress-
men, high government officials ana dis
tinguished private citizens were particle
pants and spectators OF the solemn services
Later in the day when the Masonic cere-
monies had been concluded the Improved
Order of Red Men succeeded them i'll hon
oring the memory of Washington with the
rites OF their order.
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 old vault where first repose9
the remains of Washington This process
sion was formed and moved in the exact
order and over the same path which was
followed at Washington's funeral. Halt
ing at the vault, the Third cavalry band
played a funeral dirge and Rt. Rev. a. NJ
Randolph, bishop of the Southern Episco-
pal diocese of Virginia, offered an invoca-
ton. This was followed by an address by
the grand master OF Masons of Colorado
and the procession then moved to the
tomb where the remains of Washington
lie. Then occurred the impressive ser
vices of the Masonic ritual. The grand
masters OF the thirteen original States
formed in line facing the representative
of other Jurisdictions and the Grand Lodge
and other brethren standing in a circle
around the tomb with Joined hands. Then
the grand master of Virginia called upon
each of the Jurisdictions in turn for mes
sages and tributes sent by them.
AS the grand master of California, rep
resenting the Western States, concluded
the following responses were made:
The craft:--Amen.
All of the grand masters-Oh Death.
where is thy sting?
The Grafton grave, where Is thy vic.
tory?
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
We're drawn up and President Mckinley
delivered all address He was introduced
by the grand master OF Virginia and de-
livered an eloquent grafton, which was
listened to in profound aud impressive
silence. The services concluded with
oenediction by Brother Ed N Clash. rabbi
OF Beth Ahaba synagogue, Richmond. Va.
President Mckinley was accompanied to
Mount Vernon by all the members of the
cabinet now in the city, General Miles
and General Corbin.
In the course OF his address President
Mckinley said I'VE have lust partiri.
pated in service commemorative OF the
one hundredth anniversary of the death
OF George Washington. Here at his old
nome which he loved so well and which
the patriotic women of the country have
guarded with. loving hands. exercises are
conducted under the auspices of the grsat
fraternity of Masons, which a century ago
planned and executed the solemn cere-
monial which attended the Father of HIS
Country to the tomb The lodge in which
no was initiated and the one which he
atterward presided over as worshipful
master accorded positions of honor at his
obsequies, are today represented here in
token of profound respect to the memory
of their most illustrious 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 repre-
sentatiyes are here from all the grand
lodges of the country to render the cere-
monies as dignifed aud impressive as
possible and most cordial greetings have
come from across our borders and from
beyond the sea. Not alone in this coun-
try, but throughout the world have Ma
sons taken special interest In the observ-
ance of this centennial anniversary The
fraternity Justly claims the immortal
patriot az one of It's members: the whole
human family acknowledges him as one
of its greatest benefactors.
THE nation needs at this moment the
help of his wise example,