Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1909-05-01
UNA ADVERTISER.
'AV'S Celebration.
looming Week
0ter's Hill.

guests we're 10 the act of tax.
ton upon the reviewing stand al
cess aud Washington streets when tn
procession In honor Of the l2Oth ami
verssry OF Washington's first iuaugurs'
ton passed. The party bad been IS.
corted to the stand by the Richmond
Blues.
The bulk OF the city's population with
the thousands of visitors were massed on
Washington street and parts OF Princess,
while windows aud doorsteps were filed
with people. The distinguished guests
acknowledged the many sslutes they re-
ceived as they passed from Representa-
tive Oarlin's residence to the reviewing
stand.
About this time the presidential salute
was Cred on the U. 3. dispatch steamer
Dolphin which was anchored of this
city.
After the cortege had passed the presi-
dental party we.a whisked in al auto.
mobile to the summit of Shooters Hill
where the cornerstone OF George Wash
in gton Park was to be laid.
After the disbsudment of the process
sion at the corner of King and Payne
streets most of those who had been wit
Messing 1t repaired to the hill, and for
over an hour thousands were vending
their way westward on King street. By
the time the exercises In connection with
the laying Of the cornerstone had ar
rived the west of the hill was covered
with Humanity. Most Of them had
made the journey on foot, but many su-
tomobIles, carriages, buggies, etc., we're
used 10 the transportation of sightseers
The Richmond Howizsrs had taken
position on the eide of Shooters Hill,
q few yards west Of the union passenger
station. The governors salute was fred
first and later the presidential salute.
The ceremonies In connection with the
laying of the cornerstone we're very i'm
pressive, and those who took part were
listened 10 sttentiyely. They were con-
Quoted by Worshipful Master Robert w.
Fuller, Senior Warden o. II. Callahan,
Junior Warden E II. Kemper, Score.
tsrY A. G. Uhler and Treasurer R W.
W. Arnold, of Alexandria. Washington
Lodge, No. %, F. & A. NJ. Mr.. E. E..
Downham representing the Washington
Park Association with formal Masonic
ceremony and in short speech request
ed the lodge to lay the stone. After
this had been done the stone was &C.
cepted on behalf OF the association by
Mr.. Thomas Ohsuncey. Mr.. NJ. l..
Dinwiddie Master of Andrew Jackson
Lodge acted as marshal of the lodge.
The prayer was offered by Rev. P.
P. Phillips and the benediction was
by Rev. Edgar Carpenter. The
cornerstone of the park is said to
be on the identical spot marked by
the Father of His Country as the south
corner of the District of Oolumbia.
The cornerstone is of Indiana lime
stone and is sixteen inches square and
four feet long. Two feet of the stone iS
above the ground. On It's top are the
words "GeOrge Washington Park" On
the north side is the following iuscrip-
ton: dedicated by George Washing
ton Monument Association, Alexandris,
Va" The front or east side has to-
Inscription: "Oornerstone lad by Al ex
audria- Washington L"dge, No. % A.
F. & A. NJ, April 30, 1909. rJn m
south side of the stone is tae following
civilian B. Smoot, presi' lent; @. {
Lesdbeater, treasurer; A. J Weddel
burn, secretary; E. E. Dowphsm, j
NJ. Hill, J. K. NJ. y, orton and e. 1
Boothe.
Deposited 10 p OK within the corne
stone we're coPie' of the Alexandra CT
zetle, tne oup day Times, pages of II
washington papers which contained 81
counts Oh .ne celebration, a leahet gi'
ing q SD ut history Of the organization
,ne pa K association, Washington media
&C, The stone was made and donate
70 the association by William Chaunce
e Son.
While the corner stone was being Ia
Governor Swanson from the veranda
of the Golf Club House, two hundrt
yards away, was introduced by Mr.. v
B. Smoot, president OF the park ascot
ton, and delivered an eloquent adde's
The governor in the beginning OF b
speech spoke of the early history OF Il
United States, the principles Whit
brought the nation to its birth aud th
true spirit of democracy which WIS SCI
over the world by the infant republi
He spoke OF its effects upon Franc
England, Russia and other countries al
the effect it ia still exercising upon Il
world. In sp esking of Washington Il
governor raid: GOT Washington it ca
be appropriat ely said, as 1t is so besut
fully expressed in the epitaph OF 5
Christopher Wren, who lies buried
the magnificent sUperstructure whic
his genius reared. Above his buri
place is this inscription, Here lies Il
body of Sir Ohristoper Wren, srchiteC
of Saint Parl's. Reader, would you 81
bis monume Mt, then look around you
The monuments Of Washington's schiev
ments Eher. We look around are see
on every continent, in every cline al
among every race Of mankind. Where
ever autocrscy snd privileges are r
strained, wherever government is founC
ed on the consent OF the governe
wherever the rights of the masses are a
serted and maiJ ltained, wherever freedo
has fashioned a new ue and new hoI
for humanity, there you behold the trr
monuments Of George Washington, mo
eternal than the rock-ribbed mountain
his influence mightier and more majest
than the hoE of old ocean,"
OontinuiniE the speaker said: