Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-12-15
AT MOUNT VERNON.
The tooth Anniversary Of the
Death Of Washington
Appropriately Observed by Masons
From All Over States.
Eloquent Tribute by President to Memory Of
the Greatest American.

appropriate, IN the presence Of dis
tingushed assemblage, the centennial
of the death of George Washington
was commemorated, today, at Mount
Vernon. The ceremonies We're con-
Quoted by the Masonic bodies and the
Red Men Of the United States.
Charge of the ceremonies was placed
in the hands of the Masons Of Virginia
it being in the Old Dominion that
Washington was obligated as a Master
Mason and there that he participated
enthusiastically in Masonic work and
obServances. The officer of the Grand
Lodge of Virginia and the membership
of Fredericksburg Lodge, in which
Washington was made a Mason. and Of
Washing ton Alexandria Lodge. over
which he presided as Worshipful mas
ter. had the chief part in the duty Of
seeing that today's observances We're
appropriate. Thousands Of MaSons
We're in attendance from all parts of
the country and almost every jurisdic-
tion i'll the United States ana a few
from foreign countries We're repre-
scented by some Of their grand officers
and members.
y.
himself an enthusiastic Mason accom-
panied by Secretary of State Hay Sec
rotary Of the Treasury Gage. Secretary
of the Navy Long, secretary Of tn
Interior Hitchcock. Secretary Of Agri-
culture Wilson and Postmaster General
Smith Of the cabinet, Assistant Score
tary Of the Navy Allen, Major General
Miles, Adjutant Gen. Corhin, Secretary
Porter. Assistant Secretary COrteIyou,
Major John A. Johnston and Senator
Clark of Montana, past grand maste"
Of his state. left Washington on a
special electric train for Mount Vernon,
arriving there at II. The Presidential.
party was greeted by Grand Master
Duke Of Virginia and by him was es-
corted to the mansion.
1t was nearly an hour and a half
afterWard before all Of the steamers
bearing the Masonic bodies arrived.
After the President and his cabinet had
reviewed them from the platform on
the east front of the mansion. pro-
cessicn was formed and moved. as or
the day Of General Washington's
funeral. Dec. IS. 1879. to the old vault,
where the remains were first deposited.
tIltIt III lllt- lIlliilttildlt litStlitt vi ll1c
grand officers of the various states and
the assembled Masons, solemn funeral
rites were conducted.
A solemn dirGe by the 3rd Cavalry
Band was followed by the Invocation
preached by Rt. Rev A. NJ. Randolph.
bishop of the Southern Episcopal
church Of Virginia. After music by an
octette from the Grand Lodge of the
District of Columbia, Grand Master A.
A. Burnand of Colorado. delivered an
grafton on the life and work of Wash
ington. laying particular stress upon
his Masonic life and accomplishments
The procession reformed and moved
then to the tomb where the remains
of Washington and those Of his family
now lie. The tomb was magnificently
decorated with flags and festoons of
evergreens and flowers. Here the
beautiful and impressive Masonic SER
vices We're conducted. The grand mas
tiers Of the 13 original states formed in
line. facing the representatives of the
other Jurisdictions the Grand Lodge of
Virginia and visiting brethren standing
in semi-circle. facing the entrance to
the tomb with joined hands. Prayer
was offered by Rev. G.. II. Ray, u. D..
grand chaplain Of the Grand Lodge Of
Virginia.
Then the grand master Of Virginia
called upon each Of the jurisdictions Of
the T. original states, the Jurisdictions
of the Western states and those Of
Canada. Belgium and Nova Scotia for
messages and tributes sent by them,
and all responded.
Then the grand master Of the Dis
trict Of Columbia deposited within the
tomb the lambskin apron as a token Of
innocence: the grand master Of Mis-
souri, deposited the white glove as a
token Of friendship. and the grand
master Of California deposited the
evergreen as an emblem Of the Ma
sonic faith in the resurrection Of the
body and the Immortality Of the soul
The procession returned to the east
front Of the mansion, where President
Mckinley. introduced by Grand Master
Duke, delivered the following Grafton
as his tribute to Washington
We have just participated in q ser
vice commemorative of the Tooth ami
versary Of the death Of George Wash
ingtOn. Here in his old home which
he loved so Well and which the patri-
otto women Of the country have guard |
ed with loving hands. exercises are
conducted under the auspices Of the
great fraternity Of Masons. which, a |
ago. planned an executed the |
solemn ceremonies which attended the |
father Of his country to his tomb. The |
lodge in which he was initiated and |
the one over which he afterwards pre- |
sided 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 member and be |
loved brother. Masons throughout |
the United States testify anew their |
reverence for the name Of Washington |
and the inspiring example of his life
representatives are here |
from all the grand lodges IF the coun-
try to render the ceremonies as digni-
fed and impressive as possible and |
most cordial greetings have come from
across our borders and from beyond |
the sea.
Not alone in this country. but
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