, 1899-12-15


Tooth anniversary of the death O
George Washington in a fitting name
by holding memorial exercises at Ma
sonic hall last evening, the occasion
being similarly observed all over tn
United States in pursuance of the re
quest of the grand masters Of the Ma
sonic jurisdictions.
]. T. Holiday, worshipful master o
the Laramie lodge and a past CRANE
master Of the state, presided.
The program was opened with an in
strumental piano solo by Mrs, H. V
Rominger, her effort being heartily
applauded.
Mrs. Anna DeLario, the gifted clio.
%cutionist, then gave a very appropriate
and interesting recitation which was
heartily enjoyed and appreciated by
the Masonic fraternity.
The next number was a vocal solo by
Mrs. Rominger, who was obliged to re,
spond to an encore
Following the solo came the ad-
dress on Washington" by Rev. H. v,
Rominger, which in brief was as fol-
lows:
1t is a hundred years today since
George Washington died, and we live
in such a changed world and civiliza.
ton that it is hard to comprehend what
a comparatively short historic epoch
this covers.
During his last years Washington
was considered to be the richest man
in the United States, but the sum total
Of his possession would not entitle
him to a place among our modern mil
%lionaires. The whole history of the
world, Of science and the conditions OF
human life, has changed. In the case
of Washington's death there is little
doubt that the excessive bleeding re-
sorted to in his last illness fastened his
end, possibly many years before the
natural limit. A physician who should
be guilty Of similar malpractice now
would find himself the object Of vigor-
GUS prosection in the courts.
But none Of the great changes which
we have made in the century since his
death have set the image of Washing
ton any farther away, or altered the
verdict of history concerning the man,
his character and his work. That grand
figure is as near and clear to the people
Of today as is Lincoln. In fact the lapse
Of time has made the mar more real
and has brought a better understand
ing and more intense admiration of his
supreme greatness.
We stand In his presence and feel
his power today. and his influence shall
be with US and the human race until
the end of time.
We have not yet reached ultimate
America, nor even free typical Ameri-
ca. They are still in the future,
awaiting the tramp Of the generations
to m There is to be a greater
believe a world-America. AS America
rocks the world will rock. George
Washington is not yet through with the
American republic and God grant that
he never may be. When the republic
breaks with the father Of our country
the doom Of the republic will be for
sealed. Let the spirit Of our noble
dead go marching on forever. 1t is the
decree Of the eternal that the righteous
shall be held in everlasting remem-
brance.
1t is a grand thing for a nation to
have grand men for ancestors, to have
a history the opening pages of which
are crowded with interest, the first
first chapters of which are filled with
God and with human heroism, the pro,
duct of mans alliance with God. Such
a history will send a holy and inspir-
ing thrill through the body polite age
after age. Such ancestors will stand
a eternal sentinels, guarding the lib
critics Of the nation and the principles
of the nation and the faith of the ma
ton. Such men will rebuke and COM
mend and lead the nation perpetually.
Every great crisis in human affairs
produces great leaders who come to the
front and have the power to achieve
an immortal fame. Heroes are born in
the throes of human history. They
come forward as the embodiment of