Durango semi-weekly herald., 1907-03-11

The corner stone of Durango's new
Carnegie library building was laid with
~the most beautiful and solemn cere-
monies known-Masonic A. F. & A. NJ.
Deputy Grand Master Joseph A.
Davis of Boulder. Colo, arrived last
evening to officiate as representative
of Worthy Grand Master Jones.
The city as a whole observed the
hours set apart by our mayor, Charles
f. Mcconnell. and by O'Clock people
began congregating on the streets and
by O'Clock there was an immense
concourse, the school children being
out en- masse. The Masons, G. A. r.
and other societies appearing in-uni-
form lent magnificence to the occa-
sion. City and county officials were
represented in person, Herman Berndt,
(kls mayor pro tenn. in company with
his brother aldermen.
John P. Coston was marshal of the
day and led the parade which formed
corner Ninth street and Main avenue,
marching up First avenue to Tenth
street, Tenth street to Second avenue
and thence to the library building. The
following organizations were repre-
sented In the parade:
Durango band.
Durango Drum Corps.
Grand Army of the Republic.
Sons OF Veterans.
Knight Templars.
Durango lodge No. 46, A. F. & A. NJ.
The exercises were under the direc-
tlon of the Masonic order and were
opened by music by the Durango band
and invocation by Rev. Fleetwood.
Then Deputy Grand Master Davis
explained why the forms were OBJ
served after which he laid the corner
stone with the aid of a silver trowel.
made in Colorado and the gift of the
Masons in Durango. The other instru-
ments used were plumb line and
square presented by worthy master of
Durango lodge No. 46, w. S. Pickerill.
The stone was tested, tried and
proven" after the order OF customs
in vogue since time immemorial
Following are some sentences given
by Mr. Davis in his speech:
The Importance of the laying of this
. corner stone which, when completed,
will be devoted to educational pur-
poses is one that outranks all others.
While this building is called Car
negie library 1t is in the broadest
sense educational.
The building devoted to worship or
the temple from which justice is dis
pensed are not primarily of as much
Importance.
II we remove education we condemn
humanity to ignorance.
The teachings of the church become
mere superstitions.
Remove the church and the schools
and we drift back to barbarism and
we would not need temples of justice
Mr.. Davis spoke of Harvard, Yale
Brown, Cornell and other educational
institutions.
"We are citizens of the greatest
state, the grandest country and the
noblest government that has existed
since Adam was driven from the gar
den of Eden
These granite rocks are symbolic o.
strength.
The building may itself perish bu
the spirit which inspired it must live
on from generation to generation.
What we build today Is but fulfill
ment of older dreams.
II takes more than magnificen
buildings. 1t takes more than tn
spirit OF generosity. 1t takes cit
officials and citizens who have con
fdence in themselves. This you hay
as is evidenced by this building.
''As Christian Freeman only
Gathered here, we dedicate
Our fair and lofty hall,
pillar and arch, entablature and wal
AS Virtues shrine, as
I.iberty's abode
Sacred to Freedom and
To Freedoms God"
After a song by the school children
Columbia, the Gem OF the Ocean,
grand orator. Edgar Buchanan. delive
ed the following address:
My friends. we meet today to la
the corner stone OF structure whicl
when completed, will be dedicated I
the cause OF the Improvement of tn
minds OF the inhabitants OF this city
and W trust that whsa completed