Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-05-17
TEMPT CORNERSTONE
Ceremony at Site Of New
Pythian Home.
PRESIDENTS GREETING
EXPRESSES REGRET THAT HE
WAS UNABLE TO ATTEND.
Grand Chancellor Bynum Serves as
Master of Ceremonies-TheA d-
dresses-Those in Line.
PRESIDENTS GREETING

Mid waving plumes and sun-kissed
blades, with a thousand heads barred ana
bowed in reverence, the corner stone OF
the new temple of the Knights OF Pythlas
of the District of Columbia was laid yes
terday afternoon at $50 o'clock. The site
on 9th street between L street and Mas
sachusetts avenue, was thronged with
men high IN the councils of the fra
ternity, and with their guests, who
brought good cheer and welcome from
the outside world. Many other fraternal
organizations were represented at the
ceremony by delegations, while Mr.. Henry
B. F. mcfarland, president of the board
of Commissioners, represented the Dis
trict
President Roosevelt, who had received
a special invitation to attend the laying
of the corner stone, was unable to be
present, but sent the following letter,
which was read to the assembled multi
tude:
WHITE HOUSE.
WASHINGTON, May II, 1904.
my Dear Grand Chancellor: 1t Is a
matter of real regret to me that am un-
able to attend the laying Of the corner
next. I heartily believe in the excellent
work done by fraternal organizations
such as the Knights of Pythias. They
form one of those distinctly American as
sociations which tend to develop the very
qualities of brotherly love and associa-
ton so needed in this great country Of
ours. Under the stress of our modern in
dustrial life it is sometimes difficult for
individuals among us to remember our
essential unity; to remember that our
whole government is based upon the as
sumption that the average American citi-
zen is decent, fair-dealing man. and
vYy1,n &C. oc% lo1 L.
order to prevent division among us is
that this same average citizen shall be
brought into sufficiently intimate connec-
ton with his fellows to enable him to
realize their good qualities and to have
them realize his, and so to incline them
all to work together in spirit of re-
spect for himself and for his neighbor
Your order affords an admirable oppor-
tunfty for the cultivation of just this
kind Of fellowship. feel, therefore that
you not only do good among yourselves,
but that you contain within you the po-
tentiality of very great service to the
whole country. Each American whether
he works with his head or his hands.
whether he is an employer or wage
worker, no matter where he was born or
what creed he processes, is entitled to be
man, and In return is bound in honor to
90 his best to give to every man a fair
oeaI-for no man deserves more and no
man should receive less.
wishing you all good fortune I am
sincerely yours,
THEODORE ROOSEVELT"
The Ceremony.
Grand Chancellor Bynum officiated as
master of ceremonies, and with silver
trowei' appropriately engraved, laid the
stone, simple block of Indiana limestone
bearing no inscription of any kind The
impressive ritual Of the order was followed
stone was placed certain records and Jour
nails pertaining to the local branch of the
Knights of Pythias, copies of the daily
newspapers OF Washington and the names
the actual sealing of the stone Grand Chan
cellor Bynum addressed the order
we have assembled here today in the
performance of sacred and solemn duty"
ne said. THE corner stone which we shall
lay in accordance with the usage of the
Pythians Is the promise of nobler SUPER
structure, whose completed form, as it
towers heavenward shall furnish, both to
the community who have never passed our
portals, visible evidence of the faith of
these our brothers in the permanency of
our institution and token Of their loyalty
to the principles taught them in the ritual
Of our order. AS grand chancellor of the
District of Columbia I am here, accompa-
MEL by the grand officers Of this grand do
main, for the purpose Of laying, in accord
corner stone of this edifice, to be devoted
to Pythian purposes. Upon you, as the
architect, have devolved great responsible
ties. AS upon the solid foundation which
this corner stone crowns is to arise a splen-
did superstructure 1t Is incumbent upon
you and the builders alike that this corner
stone should be well and truly laid, so that
the storms and the tempests of the future
may not shake its walls or bring to naught
the efforts Of it's originators."
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