Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1902-02-25
MASONIC BANOU EFT.


There was q sound OF revelry 10 thu
Masonic Temple last night. The oo'
casion was the celebration of the birth
day OF General George Washington
aod ss is its won't Alexandria w sshing
TN Lodge had made ell things ready
for q genuine twsnty-se coDd OF Febru
AIRY haDqutt 10 honor oil the memory oil
an illustrious Mason and one who al
one time was its Worshipped Master
The twenty-ssoond of February fsllinl
on Saturday this year, it was concluded
to hsvs the banquet 90 Monday night
The committee having the affair 10
charge had anticipated everything
which could 10 any manner nave en-
haOced the enjoyment OF those 10 at
tendance.
As has besn stated 10 the GsZ, t,e,
ADMIRAL Schley was anxious to be one
OF t1s guests, but having made several
engsgemeIti which he could not
igaore, reluciat remained away.
Senator Martin was compelled to
aoss { himself on account of contiu-
eeDcy which often upsets married
mems plans Congressman Swanson,
however, and a lumber of ether good
speakers eDlvsned the evening and
aided pith TO tne occasion which will
long he remembered.
IL was eight o'clock when the lodge
was called to order, and half an hour
lstsr about one hundred and saver ty-
five Masops had gst1ered. These TO-
oluded large percentage OF visitors
from lodges OF peigbDoriOg cities.
There was no business before the
lodge aud the craft was "off" as much
as "on." About moe O'Clock the
lodge proceedings proper closed and
the essen Olage repaired 10 the upper
chamber OF the temple, where q
royal spread had bssn prepared by
Mrs. A. Rammsl & Sons. The ia
bles extended the entire length OF the
room. They were tsstefulIy decorated
and abuudantly stocked vito the many
good things OF the season prepared in
the most tempting manner. Each in
diyidusl member of the company was
assigned his place, after which Worship
fol Brother Oehlert struck his gavel,
silence followed and Rev. DIR. Hunt In
voked q blessing upon the feast which
was about to be discussed. All having
been seated the banquet began. The
following was the menu:
Celery. queen olives, rockaway oyster
cocktail, Rammel's fried, selects pick
led, Taut's scholloped. Lobster, chicken,
potato and shrimp salads. Roast tur-
key, cranberry sauce, Oliver ham.
smoked beef tongue. Pearl onions,
Waldrof relish. gherkins, cold slaw,
Florida tomatoes, chow chow, cheese
straws, Saratoga chips, crescent rolls.
Tsugerines, pears. apples, oranges,
banan ss, malaga grapes. Cream cheese,
Beut's waters. Oafe noir. Cigars.
II was nearly ten O'Clock when the
Master again raped the company to
order. The next feature OF the pro-
Qramme the spesking-which had been
earnestly anticipated by all, was III or
der. He announced Hon. Claude Swan
son. who arose and made one OF S
happest efforts, at times bringing forth
continued applause. Ddring his
speech Mr.. Swanson paid glowing
tribute to Alexandria WashiDgt IN
Lodge, termiug 1t the greatest 10 tae
world. Some might have more costly
tsmples. more elaborate and luxurious
accomplishments, but none approached
Washington Lodge 10 interest or his
torv-uone but IL ever had Washington
for It's Worshipiul Master. The speaker
said he experienced great pleasure at
being present on the anniversary OF the
birth OF thet distinguished member oil
the craft. Mr.. Swanson grew ferveDt
as he referred to the principles and
teachings OF Masonry and said it was
Int a patent illustration OF the obser-
walton. the survival of the tttest.
There had been many orders conceived
and organized since the inception OF
Masonry, but the system had survived
the storms OF time while others had
passed into total eclipse. The teach
ipes of the craft had stood the test oil
ages. Mr.. Swanson paid glowing trib
utes to Washington, Jefferson, Msdi'
son, Monroe and the galaxy OF Vir'
pinians who have figured 10 the history
of the country, as we'll as to General
Robert E. Lee, the central figure Of
later times, who, he said, was Q reflex
of Washington. He closed by suggest
ing that all should endesvor to emulst
the lives of such meo. Mr.. Swanson
smoke with electrical force and at times
the applause was deafeDing.
Past Grand Master Nichols Of Texa'
followed Mr.. Swanson. He began hi
speech in a humorous vein by sayint
be had heard President Roosevelt
Prince Henry and Mr.. Swanson would
be present. His remarks were brief
fitting and much enjoyed.
Mr.. Bolts, member Of the Ffedericks
burg Lodge, 10 which Washington WA
"entered," "passed" and raised" wal
next announced. His remarks wer'
apt and interesting. he referred to hi
own lodge as the one in which tn
illus,rious brother was brought Il
light and Washington Lodge as that II
which be welded the gavel.
Reys. DIR. Hunt, E. V. REGISTER, G. L
Rail and J. h. g. Ewell, and Messr
n. Downham. K. Kemper and other
were SUCCESSFULLY called upon 10
aneeehes. each OF whom was at bis be
Their remarks were timely, aboundin
in both humor and psthos, and wer
greatly enjoyed.
Shortly after IL o'clock the cempan
adjourned. During the evening ID
Worshipful Master read 8 letter irol
Admiral Schley, 10 which he acknow
edged the receipt Of an invitation to
present and expressed his sincere re
grets at being unable to respond.