The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-03-26
CORNERSTONE LAID.
CONCLUDED FROM FIRST PAGE

CONCLUDED FROM FIRST PAGE)
stone of the superstructure should be laid
with that form and ceremony which the
Importance of the event demanded To this
end the grand master of the Free and Ac-
copied Masons Of the State was invited 20
do the work. All other organizations and
all the citizens of our city have been in
vited to participate in the services OF the
day, and on behalf Of those who have had
the burdens and responsibilities Of the prep
arations, desire to extend our thanks to
all who are here to-day to bear their part
"At the same time / do not deem 1t IN
appropriate to here express the appreciation
which we all have for the labors of the
senators and members of the House of Rep
resentatives from this State which finally
eliminated in obtaining this federal build
ing for us. With an appropriate north
front, which we are told Is now assured,
and which is certainly Indispensable; there
will be here a structure which will be
credit and an honor to both the State and
Nation.
at has also been deemed eminently fit
ting that we should choose as the presiding
officer of the day one of our distinguished
citizens and our representative In Con-
press, the Hon. Jesse Overstreet, whom
now have the pleasure of presenting TO
when Mr. Overstreet spoke he addressed
a great sea Of heads that spread from the
platform three squares up Pennsylvani,a MA
address, although he was in good voice, be-
cause Of the immensely of the crowd. Mr..
OverStreetS speech IN full 1OllOWS.
Mr.. Overstreet Heard.
TOO many people look upon the govern
ment as something separate and apart from
the field of their individual labor. Rightly
considered, every citizen shares in the re-
sponsibility of government and Is bene-
ficiary Of its good offices. Individual and
national affairs are so intimately related
that the growth of communities creates a
network of commerce in which the profits
or loss Of the citizen Is swallowed up In the
grand totals which history only records
When the government makes opportunity
for the citizen to realize his partnership
interest in the business Of the Nation, the
patriotism. civic pride and Importance of
the individual is increased.
Gladstone said: The proper function of a
government is to make it easy for people to
do good and difficult for them to do evil.
This function is practically applied when the
nation places it's wonderful facilities with
in easy reach Of the citizen and joins hands
with him in the daily transaction of the
business which makes up the commerce of
the nation. The exercises of this hour
mark such an instance. The development
of the business of this city, the capital of a
great State, whose people take just pride In
PoocibiC
tional government to establish here one of
it's great business Offices. Within the walls
now under construction upon this site will
be transacted volume Of business between
the national government and the citizens of
Indiana greater than the thirteen colonies
enjoyed.
PROFITABLE TO ALL
THE different departments of work
which will share this home will reach near
ly every avenue of trade and commerce
with which the government is related. and
bring to the citizens of our commonwealth
a well-defined interest, which will be most
profitable to all. The postal facilities. with
out which business and social life would
be paralyzed, the custom and internal
revenue service, which constitute the finan-
cial resource of the Nation: the pension
payments, which mark the eternal graft
tude of the government; the army and
navy recruiting stations, which keep close
touch between the people and the two arms
of the Nations defense; and the federal
judiciary, the support of our national ex-
istence and the stay of our liberty; all will
find within these walls a home, and there
will be discharged such duties between
government and citizen as shall make this
building one of the great headquarters of
the Nations work.
venience and equipment this edifice should
meet the demands OF the future as well as
the needs of the present. Erected upon
magnificent site. unexcelled in the country.
the beauty of the structure will be equal
to its utility, and both will be as lasting
as time. The characteristics of beauty and
utility can be appropriately applied 10 our
1t is city of an industrious, honest and
energetic people. A city Of homes and
churches and schools, within which truth,
thrift and patriotism are taught. We are
highly honored and complimented by this
act of the government and shall take an
honest pride In our share Of the business
will be benefited by the building and its
business and the government will not suffer
by the confidence imposed"
Of James w. Dunbar, of New Albany. grand
master of the +. and A. NJ. Of Indiana, the
remainder of the ceremony. The members
Of the Grand Lodge In regalia had seats
well to the front of the platform When
the grand master arose to lay the corner
stone according to the ancient ritual of the
Masonic order. he was assisted by the fol-
English, Senior Grand Warden George l..
Grimes of Ladoga. Junior Grand Warden
Alfred w. Emery of Evansville. Grand
Treasurer Martin III. Rice, city; Grand
Secretary Calvin w. Prather, city; Grand
Chaplain Joshua Stansfield. city; Grand
Lecturer William N. Swintz, South Bend;
Grand Marshal Edward w. Bowen Delphi;
Senior Grand Deacon Lincoln v. Cravens,
Madison; Junior Grand Deacon Charles N.
Mikels. New Castle, and Grand Steward
ana Tyler Rogers farry, city.
SOLEMN CEREMONY.
The ceremony was solemn, beautiful and
impressive. AT a signal from the grand mas
ter the cornerstone swung slowly into the air
until II hung six feet above the foundation.
The grand master and assistants made the
usual responses and the grand chaplain,
the Rev. Joshua Stansfeld. of the Meridian
street NJ. Z. Church. delivered the invoca-
ton. Following more responses according
to the ritual prescribed the copper box was
placed in the stone To the deputy grand
master the grand master then handed the
square. To the senior grand warden he
gave the level and to the junior grand war
cornerstone and reported TO the grand mas
ter that II was true. level and plumb At
another signal from the grand master the
stone was then lowered into place and ves-
sells of corn, oil and wine were handed by
the grand master to his assistants. The
symbols of prosperity were poured on the
stone and the Masonic ceremony was at an
end.
Chairman Overstreet then introduced the
orator OF the day. the Hon. Addison c.
Harris former minister to Austria. His ad-
dress was heard in intense silence, inter-
rupted frequently by applause. 1t was
keenly interesting review OF the growth of
the Nation under the paternal influence
Of the federal government. Mr.. Harris said:
A. C. Harrfs's Address.
"Mr. Chairman-The laying of the cor
nerstone invites some reflections on the
uses OF the building that is TO rise upon it.
The noble edifice Is to be used for two pur-