The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-02-03
'Gen. Washington is Known
to Us, and President Wsshing-
ton. BIT George Washingt on
Is an Unknown Man.
John Bach McMas.sr.

now dedicated to the great American,
and all Masonic toasts were ITO Wash
lnston and to the memory of Warren,
montgomery and Wooster the latter
portion referring to the three generals,
members of the craft, who had fallen in
battle.
After the war Washington affiliated
with Lodge No. 80, at Alexandra, Va.
In 1855 he aided in laying the corner
stone of the university there and gave
$o,OO0, the interest. to be used for the edu-
cation of orphans and poor children.
Ihree years later he was chosen master
OIL the lodge, which had now changed its
name to hington-Alexandria Lodge
No. %.
Having been elected to the presidency
OF the United States, his trip to New
York proved an ovation by the frater-
nifty as well as the people, and the in
augural oath was administered OH the
Bible of ST Johns Lodge No. l. being
administered by Mr. Livingston, chan
cellor of the state of New York, and
grand master of the grand lodge of that
state 1t was brought to scene of the
ceremonies by Gen. Jacob Morton, who
was master of the lodge. The Bible,
suitably inscribed on a silver plate that
was attached to it, with the leaf turned
where Washington gave it a reverent
kiss, remains the most cherished possess
sion of the lodge.
While Washington was performing his
duties as chief executive of the United
States his lodge laid the southeast corner
stone of the District of Columbia at
Jones' Point on the Potomac river.
About this time Frederick The Great, of
Prussia, the foremost European Mason,
sent Washington a handsome sword as a
tribute to his great qualities as a man
and Mason, and the Earl of Buchan,
grand master of Scotland, presented him
with box made from the oak under
which Sir William Wallace sought shell
ter alter his defeat of Falkirk.
When the time came for the laying of
the cornerstone of the national capitol
the ceremonies were conducted by Wash
lngton-Alexandria lodge and Washington,
clothed as a Mason in the magnificently
embroidered sash and apron, presented
to him by La Fayettes wife, was as
signed to perform the labor in the pres
ence Of the craft and the populace. The
stone, in accordance with the Masonic
custom OF those days, was at the south
east corner.
This was Washington's last public ap-
pearance as a Mason, although he was a
constant attendant at his lodge. When
his death occurred Lodge Nos. % and AZ,
of Alexandria, conducted the services In
the presence of visiting brethren and
friends. Rev Mr.. Davis, of the Episcopal
church, of which the deceased was a
member, and also member of Washing
tons lodge, delivered touching tribute
to the virtues of the dead AS the intel
ligence of the death of Washington
reached the cities throughout the coun-
try impressive Masonic ceremonies were
held in all the lodges. Among Washing
tons compeers in Masonry who had also
been prominent in founding the govern
ment were Peyton Randolph, president of
the First Continental congress; Edmund
Randolph, BENJAMIN Franklin, Bishops
Seabury and Minor and Gems. Knox,
Wooster, Israel Putnam, John Sullivan,
James Jackson, Rufus Putnam, Gist, Lee,
Wayne, La Fayette and Jabez Bowen.