The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1899-12-19
BURIAL SCENES.
The Tooth Anniversary of the Death
of George Washington.
MasOns of High Degree Go Through the
Same Funeral Services That Were
Given at His Burial a Century
AgO-Prcsident's Address.

Washington, Dec. 15.-Mt. Vernon
was the scene Thursday of the most
unique and impressive ceremony in its
rich and picturesque history. Ma
sons of high degree from all over the
United States and Canada met at the
tomb of Washington in services COM
memorating the Tooth anniversary of
the death of the greatest Americap.
Later in the day, when the masonic
ceremonies had been concluded, the
Independent Order of Red Men sue
ceeded them in honoring the memory
of Washington with the rites of their
order. The masons went from this
city to Mt. Vernon by steamer.
At Mt. Vernon, the procession was
formed in line at the mansion and
moved in the exact order and over the
same path followed at Washington's
funeral.
Hating at the vault, the Sd cavalry
played funeral dirge, and Rev. Ran
dolph offered an invocation. This was
followed by an address by the grand
master of masons in Colorado, an6
the procession then moved on to the
tomb, where the remains of Washing
ton now lie.
Impressive masonic services were
held and at their conclusion the grand
masters and members of the craft de-
posted wreaths and evergreens on
the tomb.
Upon reaching the mansion the
lines were drawn up and President
Mckinley delivered an address, which
was listened to in profound and i'm
pressive silence. He spoke as follows:
We have just participated in serv-
ice commemorative of the Tooth ami
Versary of the death of George Wash
ington. Here at his old home which he
loved so well and which the patriotic
women Of the country rave guarded with
loving hands, exercises are conducted un-
der the auspices of the great fraternity
IF masons, which a century ago planned
and executed the solemn ceremonial
which attended the father of his cOun-
try to his tomb. The lodge in which he
was Initiated and the one over which he
q terward presided as worshipful master.
| 2 corded positions of honor at his obse-
auiSs are to-day represented here IN toks
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. Distinguished representatives
are here from all the grand lodges of the
| country to render the ceremonies as dig
| nified 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 through
| cut the world have maSons taken espe-
| cial interest in the observance of this
| centennial anniversary. The fraternity
| Justly claims the immortal patriot as one
! OF its members: the whole human family
! acknowledges him as one of its greatest
br,rnx n+fr
| cieties and other organizations, our citi-
| zcns everywhere have esteemed it a privi-
lege to-day to pay their tribute to his
memory and to the splendor of his
achievement Of justice and liberty among
| men.
He had neither precedent nor predeces-
| sor. His work was original and construc-
| tive, and has successfully stood the Sc
| VereSt tests. He selected the site for the
capital of the republic; he founded and
| gave it the name of the Federal City,
! but the commission substituted the name
| of Washington as the more fitting, and
| to be a perpetual recognition of the serv.
/ Ice as the commander-in-chief of the cor
| tlnental army, the president of the con-
vention which framed the constitution
| More than seventy millions of people ac-
| knowledge allegiance to the flag which
| he made triumphant. The nation is his
| best eulogst and his noblest monument
1 have been deeply interested and
touched by the sentiments of his con
temporaries, uttered a hundred years ago
Walter King, of Norwich, Ct, in the
| course Of an eloquent eulogy delivered
in that city on January 3 1870 said in part
by one mighty effort of manly resolu-
ton we were born anew, and declared
| cur independence. Now commenced the
bloody contest for everything we held
| dear The same Almighty Being, by
whose guidance we were hitherto con
! Quoted, beheld us with compassion, and
saw what we needec-a pilot, a leader in
the perilous enterprise we had under
| taken. He called for Washington, already
/ prepared, anointed him as His servant
with regal dignity and put into his hands
the control OF all our defensive opera
| tions. II ~
But here admiration surpasses utter
ance Your own mind must fill out the
! active character of the man. A descrip-
| ton of the warlike skill, the profound
wisdon3 the prudence, the heroism and
integrity which he displayed in the char
acter of the commander-in-chief would
suffer materially in hands like mine But
this l may say-the eyes of all our Amer
| savior, under the direction of heaven,
and they were not disappointed
Aid on the day preceding December &c.
| !79S, in the course of his memorable fU-
neral Grafton before both houses of con-
Eress, Maj, Gen Lee, then representa-
tive from the state of Virginia, gave ut
| terance to the noble sentiment as force
ful to-day as in those early years of our
l>natlonal life; TO the hOrrid din of
battle sweet peace succeeded and our
yIrtuous chief, mindful only Of the COM
mon good, in a moment tempting person
al ACKNOWLEDGMENT, hushed the discomfort
| o. growing sedition and surrendering his
power into the hands from which he had
received it, converted his sword into
q plowshare, teaching an admiring worl5
good" tt =
While strong with his own generation,
he is stronger even in the judgment of
the generations which have followed. Aft
er lapse of a century is better apDre-
cjated, more perfectly understood. More
perIectIy understood, more thoroughly
generated and loved than when he lived.
He remains an ever increasing influence
Tor good In every part and sphere of ac-
ton of the republic He is recognized
az not only the most far-sighted states
r an or his generation, but as having had
almost prophetic vision.
The nation needs at this moment the
help Of his wise example. In dealine
with our vast responsibilities we tuN1
to him., We invoke the counsel of his
mon precepts that we may keep hi.
pledges to maintain justice and law, sdu
cation and morality, and evil and re.
Hgfons liberty in every part OF the coun-
try the new as well as the old.