Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1899-12-14
HONOR his MEMORY
Masons From United States and
Canada Gather at Tomb Of
Washington.
One Hundredth Anniversary Of His
Death Observed With Rites
Of Fraternity.
President Mckinley Delivers an I'm.
pressive and Fitting Tribute
Impressive Ceremony.

Alexandria, Va, Dec. 14.-In observ-
ance of the centennial of Washingtons S
death Masons of high degree from fifty
Quebec and New Zealand, as we'll as the
representatives of all of the grand lodg-
es in this country, assembled in this city
this morning and proceeded to Mt. Yer
non. The visitors proceeded from Alex
andria to Mt. Vernon by way of the liv-
er and on the electric car lines. The
places of honor were given to the grand
lodge of the state of Virginia, Alexan-
der-W Washington lodge. No. %, F'reder-
icksburg lodge, No. and Federal lodge
No. 1, of the District of Columbia Old
Dominion Commander Is. of p. did duty
as escort
The memorial services at Mt. Vernon
We're of an extremely impressive char
acter and the program carried out con-
formed as much as possible to the serv-
ices on that solemn occasion 100 years
ago, when the remains of Washington
were laid to rest. After forming in line
on the east side of the historic mansion
the visiting lodges moved in procession
to the old vault, the same order being
observed as on the day of Washington
funeral. Simultaneous with the start
of the procession a battery of artillery
doomed forth its tribute to the memory
of him who was first in war. AS 100
years ago minute guns doomed from
schooner on the Potomac, in like man
ner there was heard this morning the
thunder of guns from United States
man-of-war anchored opposite Mt. Yer
non.
Arriving at the old vault solemn
dirge was rendered by the band, and
Right Rev. a. NJ. Randolph, bishop of
the southern Episcopal diocese of Vir-
ginia, offered the Invocation. Music
furnished by an octet from the grand
lodge of the District of Columbia pre-
ceded an address delivered by the grand
master of Masons in Colorado lmme-
diately following this address, in which
the grand master of Colorado paid an
eloquent tribute to the memory OF the
first president, the grand masters of
Niasons in the thirteen original states
formed in line facing away from the
tomb. The grand masters of other
states described semi-circle in front of
them. and the grand lodge of Virginia,
joining hands, formed a circle about the
tomb. A touching address announcing
the purpose of the assemblage was de-
livered by the grand chaplain of Nir-s
glnia, and brief responses were made.
After that the procession moved to the
new tomb, in which the remains of Gen.
Washington and his wife now lie side
by side. Here suitable Masonic services
took place, conducted by the grand
lodge of the District of Columbia.
Wreaths and other tributes We're depos-
tied on the tomb. The tributes included
wreath of oak and evergreens from
Londesborough Park, East Yorkshire,
England, sent by the Earl Of Londes-
borough, past grand senior warden of
England, and the officers of Constitu-
tional Lodge No. 4, of Beverly, East
Yorkshire. The present was the more
interesting as 1t was sent from the i'm
mediate vicinity of the home of John
Washington. the founder of the illustri-
Gus American family.
After the wreaths had been deposited
the procession moved slowly on to the
east front of the mansion. whore it was
halted and Mckinley delivered an ad-
dress, which was listened to in pro-
found and impressive silence.
The president spoke as follows:
I'VE have just participated in serv-
ice commemorative of the hundredth
anniversary of the death of George
Washington. Here at his old home
which lie loved so well. and which the
patriotic women of the country have
guarded with loving hands, exercises
have been conducted under the auspices
of the great fraternity of Masons, which
century ago planned and executed the
solemn ceremonial which attended the
father OF his country to the tomb. The
lodge in which he was initiated and the
one over which he afterwards presided
as worshipful master, which was ac-
corded the positions of honor at his OBJ
sequies, is today represented here in
token OF profound respect to the mem
ory of their most illustrious member
and beloved brother. Masons through
out 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 co,n-
try to render the ceremonies as dignified
and impressive as possible. and the
most cordial greetings have come from
across our borders and from beyond the
sea.
Not alone In this country, but
throughout the world have the Masons
taken especial interest in the observance
of this centennial anniversary The
fraternity justly claims the immortal
patriot as one of its members;
the whole human family acknow-
lodges him, as one of its great
est benefactors. The public bodies,
patriotic societies and other organiza-
tions of citizens everywhere, have es-
teemed 1t privilege today to pay trib-
ute to his memory and the splendor of
his achievements in the advancement
of justice and liberty among men. His
fair fame, secure in it's Immortality,
shall shine through the countless ages
with undiminished lustre. The strug-
Cling republic for which Washington
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 sagacity and
foresight carefully planned. 1t has
stood every trial. and at the dawn of
the new century II stronger than ever