Omaha daily bee., 1899-12-15
GATHER AT HIS TOMB
hasons of the Country Ot"bcg, . Cen
tennial of Washingtons D,T
UNIQUE AND IMPRESSIVE CEREMONY
Tributes to His Memory by President Nc
Kinley and Others.
ALL WORSHIP AT MOUNT VERNON SHRINE
Order of Red Men Follows MasonS in
Da,-.o4,.s.
ALL WORSHIP AT MOUNT V:RNoN SHRINE
Order of Red Men Follows Masons in
Respecting His Memory,
DISTINGUISHED MEN IN ATTENDANCE
Route of the Original Funeral Pro-
ccssion Followed by the Masonic
Mourners-seryices First at
the Vault.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 14.-Mount Vernon
was the scene today of the most unique and
impressive ceremony in its rich and pic
turesque history Masons of high degree
from all over the United States and Canada
met at the tomb of Washington in services
commemorating the Tooth anniversary OF
the death of the greatest American. Presi-
dent Mckinley delivered an eloquent tribute
TO the memory of the first president and
senators and representatives in congress
high officials of the government and dis
tingushed private citizens were participants
and spectators of the solemn service.
Later in the day, when the Masonic Cere-
monies had been concluded the Independent
Order of Red Men succeeded them in honor
ing tho memory of Washington with the
rites of their order.
The Masons went from this city to Mount
Vernon by steamer. Headed by Colonel Rob
ert 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 Mount Vernon
was resumed. President Mckinley left the
White House shortly before 10 o'clock and
was taken to Mount Vernon by a special
train on an electric line.
Follow Original Route.
At Mount Vernon the procession was
formed in line at the mansion, where Presi-
dent Mckinley and other distinguished
guests joined it and moved solemnly to the
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 at Washing
toms funeral Hating at the vault, the
Third cavalry band played a funeral dirge
and Right Rev. A. NJ. Randolph bishop of
the Southern Episcopal diocese of Virginia
offered Invocation. This followed
by an address by the grand master of Ma
eons in Colorado, and the procession then
moved on to the tomb where the remains
of Washington now lie.
Here occurred the impressive ceremonies
of the Masonic ritual The grandmasters
of the thirteen original states formed in
line, facing the representatives OF the
other jurisdiction and the grand lodge and
other brethren standing in circle around
the tomb with Joined hands. Then the
grandmaster of Virginia called upon each
pf the jurisdictions in turn for the mes
sages and tributes sent by them.
AS the grandmasters of California, repre-
senting the western states, concluded, the
following responses We're made:
The craft: "Amen"
All of tho grandmasters: "oh death,
where is thy sting!''
The craft: on grave, where is thy VIC
!cry!"
The grandmasters then deposited their
Ereaths 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 intro
duced by the grand master of Virginia and
delivered an eloquent Grafton, which was
listened to in profound and impressive ST.
lence.
Presidents Tribute.
1--WE have just participated in service
commemorative of the one hundredth ami
versary of the death of George Washing
ton. Here at his old home. which he
loved 50 we'll, and which the patriotic
women of the country have guarded with
loving hands, exercises are conducted by
the great fraternity of Masons which
century ago planned and executed the sol
emn 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 positions of honor at his
obsequies, are today represented here in
token of profound respect to the memory of
their mcst illustrious member and beloved
brother.
"Masons throughout the United States
testify anew their reverence for the
name OF Washington and the inspiring ex-
ample of his life. Distinguished repre-
sentatives are here from all the grand
lodges OF the country to render the cere-
monies as dgnihed and impressive as pos
sible, and most cordial greetings have come
from across our borders and from beyond
the sea.
mot alone in this country, but through
out the world have Masons taken especial
interest in the observance of this centen-
hal anniversary. The fraternity Justly
claims the immortal patriot as one OF it's
members; the whole human family ac-
knowledges him as one of its greatest bene-
factors Public bodies, patriotic societies
and other organizations, our citizens every
where, have esteemed II privilege today to
pay their tribute to his memory and TO the
splendor Of his achievements in the ad-
vancement OF justice and liberty among
men.
His fair name, secure in its immor-
taity, shall shine through countless ages |
with undiminished luster,
Architect of the Republic.
1.-THE struggling republic for which Wash
ington 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 solicitude. has steadily and |
wonderfully developed along the lines
which his sagacty and foresight carefully |
planned, 1t has stood every trial and at |
the dawn of a new century is stronger than |
ever to carry forward its mission of liberty. |
During all the intervening years il has |
been true forever true to the precepts of |
the constitution which he and his illustrious |
colleagues framed for its guidance aud gov
ernment He was the national architect, !
says Bancroft the historian, and but for |
him the nation could not have achieved it's |
independence could not have formed it's |
union. could not have put the federal gov
ernment into operation lie had neither
precedent nor predecessor, His work was