Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1911-02-16
MASONIC.
written for the Gazette

In proceeding communication !
briefly outlined the history OF old
Alexandria Washington Lodge, No.
%, A., F. & A. NJ. OF Alexandra,
Virginia, its priceless relics and past
associations. Located in one OF the
Oldest towns Of the Oldest state 10 the
union. its environment is as interest
ing and attractive as the city itself.
Founded by Thomas, Sixth Lord FAIR
fax, Baron of Cameron; Lawrence
Washington, Jaered Alexander and
others well-known in history. and
which has numbered among its City
Council, at one and the same time,
George Washington, greatest OF all
republicans and rebels, and George
Mason, author of the Virginia Bill
OF Rights" probably the most pro-
found, heneicient and far-reaching
Of modern state papers. (I.atcr on
this peerless coup!rt represented Far
fax county aud Alexandria city in
toe House OF Burgesses up 10 the
very outbreak OF the Revolutionary
war; 1t was the home Of General
Henry (Light Horse Harry Lee;
there his son, the immortal Robert f.,
Lee was prepared for West Point by
the I'D Quaker pedagogue, BenjaInin
Hallowell, and there, in old Christ
Church, the great leader OF the Con
federate army was confirmed in the
Episcopal faith BY the venerable Bis
hop Meade. The city retains. and
proudly SO, ita Colonial appearance
aud its people still hold the old
fashioned customs and manner
isms OF ante .bellum days. The roster
OF the lodge is ~ interesting docu-
ment and contains among lis
present membership. rs il hhs
in every decade, collateral descendants
OF Washington. among them Lawrence
(whose father, John. Augustine, was
the last private owner OF Mount Yer
non) pow the only man living born in
Mount Vernon house; the direct de-
scendants OF Chief Justice Marshall,
the Ramsays, Carlyie<, Randolphs,
Leos, Fairfaxes and others OF the
friends and compatriots OF the imnIor-
tai George, no less familiar TO the his
torian and student. General Lewis A.
Armistead, who fell at high water
mark, leading the forlorn .ut glorious
charge OF Pickett's Division at Gettys-
burg, was also an honored member OF
! this lodge at the time OF his death. II
would be interesting to continue this
line of thought but we are drifting from
our theme and must return 10 the sub
ject in question.
The Memorial Hall or edifce is to be
in the form OF temple, rs per the
resolutions adopted by the representa-
tlves last 22nd OF February. One floor
is to be set apart forever as hall OF
famo, to be under the absolute and per-
petual coptrol OF the National Memor-
ial Association. Each grand jurisdic-
ton md sovereign grand body identi-
fying itself with and becoming part
cf the association is to have space al
lotted in this hall upon which 10 erect
tablets or other forms Of commemora-
ton to their illustrious Masonic dead.
tits further proposed that, in addition
to this, there shall be library consist
ing Of biographical sketches of all who
are awarded place in the temple,
properly catalogued and scheduled un.
| der the name Of their state orb jurisdic
ton. Thus beginning with the history
OF Masonry in this country, down to
the present time and on through the
future, there will be gathered to.
gether, under the same roof, symbols OF
commemoration and the histories Of all
those whom the Grand Lodges deem
worthy OF special honor. No such in.
stitution has ever before been conceived
by mortal man. Its nearest approach
being the famed Pantheon OF ancient
Rome; this hall of the ancients, how
ever, did not carry with it the biograph-
ical feature, and, asis well-known, was
dedicated to the false gods. while this
is consecrated to the memory OF the
truest and best OF modern men.
The Memorial Association is TO be
constituted OF two representatives from
each grand jurisdiction or sovereign
grand body, the grand master and one
other elected by the Grand Lodge.
These will constitute the national or,
ganization, tho active law-making
body, who will meet annually on the
22ud OF February in the Memorial Hall.
when erected. The first regular meet.
ing to bo held February 22nd, 1911, i'll
Alexandria Washington Lodge room,
when, under the plans adopted, the
regular administrative and executive
officers, such as president, vice-presi.
dent, secretary, treasurer and such
other as the association may deeni
necessary will, be elected and installed.
One OF the important features ol
this meeting will be the framing
and adoption Of constitution and
| Bylaws for the permanent association
"To prepare an instrument that viii
meet the exegeneies Of the organiza
tion. to prevent future entanglemen
and guarantee the rights OF all con
cerned is q task OF no mean proportion
and will undoubtedly require severa
days of profound consideration.