Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1911-02-11
MASONIC MEMORIAL ASSOCIATION.
[Writtcn for thc GaZette.

The following article, on Tue Aldson-
ic Memorial undertaking and Wash
ington Lodge, was recently published
in number OF southern papers and
the style OF the writer will probably
be recognized by numbers OF OUR read
ers.
l have previously called attention,
through the press, to movement
started by Alexandria-W Washington
Lodge, A., T. 4. A. NJ, OF Alexandria
Virginia, to organize National Ma
sonic Memorial Association with the
object OF erecting A Memorial to
Washington, The Mason" That the
undertaking will commend itself to the
great majority of the craft and mark
an epoch in the history of American
Masonry, no one who takes the .troubie
TO investigate the plan can have the
slightest doubt.
Located in the old colonial city Of
Alexandria, six miles south of the ma
tional capital and directly in line OF
travel to Mount Vernon, like The home
of Washington, the lodge has become
a yeritable mecca for Masons. Its
doors are always open and no crafts
man, who visits this shrine, will ever
forget the surroundings or regret the
occasion. Founded in 1883 by L war
rant from the Provincial Grand Lodge
Of Pennsylvania, they wrought under
that charter until 1888. when, upon its
surrender. observation-disclosures headed
a petition to the Grand Lodge Of Nir-
GINA for new charter, becoming first
master of Alexandria Lodge No. % %,
under the Virginia jurisdiction, and
served as such for about twenty months
or nearly two terms. The instrument,
which bears his name rs master, signed
by Edmund Randolph, Governor OF
the Commonwealth and Grand Master
OF Masons in Virginia" is still their
badge OF authority and Masonic
treasure OF inestimable value. After
Washington S retirement to private life,
lie frequently visited his lodge and no
more interesting history can be found
than its ancient records, which, rs has
been apuy said, stretch over the
whole period OF our national exist
cnce and beyond; time faded and worn,
have come down to us, with the old
charter, through all the military and
civil visissitudes OF century aquar-
ter, telling The story Of our fathers, the
o 81, f.tI1,F,,1 fl,n ('rrh ihn
long ago. )" 1t would be interesting 10
recount the many important events,
both social and Masonic III which
Washington, Lafayette and other i'm
portant personages participated, briefly
narrated in this dusty treasure but time
and space will permit us to mentioned
but a few.
AT the request of President Washing
ton and in The presence Of his special
commissioners, Honornhles Daniel Car
roll and David Steuart, tie lodge laid
the first cornerstone Of the District Of
Columbia, April 18th, l79l; on Sep.
tember the 18th, 1898, it acted rs es-
cort of honor and formed gucrIon
about President Washington (Lhcn It's
past master) when he laid the corner
stone OF the National Capitol and
the name of the Lodge, Alex
andria No. o." is engraved on the
tablet tuat marks tho original south
east corner OF our nations home.
A bas relief of this interesting
and important Masonic ceremony
can be seen on the south door Of the
east entrance leading to the Senate
chamber. Capitol Building, Washing
ton, D. C. 1T shows the general in the
act OF PERFORMING the service surround
ed by his brethren in full regalia. On
the night of December the 14th, 1899,
its master doctor Dickl one OF the
attending physicians, stood ut the gen
erals bedside and recorded the moment
of dissolution, twenty minutes after ten
by the old clock, which now rests in
niche in the wall OF the san'ctum, sane
forum and four days later, Wednesday.
December 18th, at three O'Clock, p. m.
they deposited the apron, glove and
evergreen on his bier and pronounced
the ancient benediction OF the craft
DER the most distinguished Mason OF
modern times.
Beginning in the days Of Washing
ton, through the succession OF inter
vening years, the lodge has become, by
the gratuity OF the Washington family
and others no less sentimental and
yertible moseum Of Wash
ington relics and art. Upon its walls
hang priceless works from famous ar
lists and in every nook and corner re-
poses mement0es, whose very presence
is an inspiration TO the patriotic
tourists. 1t would be impossible To
the monetary value OF
the collection, EXCHANGED, rs it is,
by sentiment and past association.
The chair, Washington occupied.
when master; the last picture OF him
painted from life, and the only origi-
nal painting extant in Masonic regalia;
the trowel he used to lay the corner
stone OF the National Capitol; the
lesser lights used on that occasion and
at his funeral; his Masonic apron, we'd
ding gloves, pocket compasses and
hundreds OF other treasures hang OF IFS
walls and rest in its alcoves to carry
the mind back-to the days nni- lille Of
the immortal craftsman.
Constant apprehension OF the loss OF
these treasures by fire and vandalism
prompts universal demand for increased
security and protection, and realizing
their inability to safeguard the treas
ure, as il should be, Tcfus-
ing the most fiattering pecuniary
Inducements from ambitious connis
ours, with m earn,s desire to preserve