The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-08-12
THOUSANDS ASSEMBLED
FOR CORNER STONE LAYING
Interesting and Impressive Ceremony Witnessed
from Tops Of Buildings Windows and Street.

! place. Acting Grand Architect Wit
| cover having himself laid the cement
The grand architect reported to the
grand master and the tests of the va
rious Masonic offices were then ap-
piled
81 have tried this stone by plumb,
square and level, and pronounce 1T to
be well formed, true and trusty," an
nounced tile grand master.
The gold and silver vessels were then
| brought forth and the corn, wine and
oil were poured upon the stone. The
grand master then said:
May the all-bounteous Author of ma
ture bless the Inhabitants of this place
with all the necessaries, conVeniences
and comforts Of life: assist in the cree
tion and completion of this building
protect the workmen against every ac-
cident, and long preserve this struc-
ture from decay: and grant to us all,
a supply Of the corn of nourishment,
the wine of refreshment, and the oil
of ~5 Joy; motto # b. - r.sroDasd III. other
officers.
The grand master then struck the
stone three times with his mallet, and
returning 10 the grand architect, de-
livered the implements by which it
had been tested, to that official.
Closing Masonic Ceremonies.
The Masonic ceremonies were closed
by the grand master with the fol-
lowing:
Men and Brethren here assem-
bled Be it known unto you that we
be lawful Masons. true and faithful
TO the laws of our country, and en-
ged by solemn obligations to erect
magnificent buildings, to be service
| able to the brethren, and to fear God,
the Great Architect of the Universe.
We have among us concealed from
| the eyes of all secret which cannot
be divulged and which have never
! been found out: but these secrets are
lawful and honorable and not repug-
nant to the laws of God or man.
They were entrusted in peace and
| honor to the Masons of ancient times,
and, having been faithfully transmit
ted to us, it is our duty to convey
them unmDaired to the latest pos
terity. Unless our craft were good and
our calling honorable, we should not
have lasted for so MANY centuries
nor should we have been honored with
the patronage of so many illustrious
men of all ages, who have ever shown
themselves ready to promote our in
terests and to defend us from all adj
versaries. We are assembled here to-
day, in the face of you ALL to build
a house. which we pray God may de-
serve to prosper, by becoming a place
of concourse for good men, and pro-
noting harmony and brotherly love
throughout the world, till time shall
be no more"
80 mote it be-" responded the other
Masons.
The Addresses Mnde.
Mayor Myers then escorted Senator
A. S. Clay, the orator of the day, and
Grand Master Meyerhardt to the
platform that had been erected for
the speaking. The Mayor introduced
the grand master and he delivered an
interesting address, dwelling upon the
important part Masonry has played in
Georgia, beginning with its introduc-
| tion in this city. He paid Savannah
a high tribute in the course of his
short address and was roundly ap-
! plauded at the conclusion of his
speech.
Senator Clay was then introduced
by Mayor Myers as 1.-The distinguished
| and noble Georgian whom we all
| know Though speaking with diff
| Guilty at times because of a sore
! throat, Senator Clay held the atten-
| ton of his audience from beginning
| to end and was frequently interrupt
ed by applause. The address conclud-
ed the ceremonies and the assemblage
| dispersed.
Police Did Work Well.
The manner in which the police kept
| the big crowds in hand was commented
upon by the visiting mayors and off,
| Gals, and the superintendent of police
| was congratulated by Mayor Myers
In the Park Extension, along the
! line of march, and at the City Hall
| site, there were uniformed men galore
and the crowds were handled with lit
tie or no trouble. The superintendent
of police had pressed every avalble
man into service, and even the plain
| clothes men did duty. They assisted
at the City Hall and were in charge of
the taking of tickets.
The various details of uniformed
men were in charge of sergeants who
received their instructions direct from
the superintendent. Although the
mounted men in the Park Extension
were more than mile from the foot
men at the City Hall, with numbers
of men stationed at points between
| the superintendent was able to cover
both ends as well as the middle. This
was made possible by the use of an
| automobile, and a dozen or more trims
| were made by the superintendent be
TWEEN the extreme points before the
soldiers left the parade ground Mr.. NJ
Ed Wilson volunteered to act as chat.
feur.