Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1911-02-23

memorial here in Alexandria, where b.
enjoyed the association OF Masonry, t.
erect a monument that I hope will b.
as dienifed and as satisfactory as tn
monument that creeps into every land
scape unmarked within miles OF ou
capital city. I think it was lngersol
who said that the difficulty with TIT
memory OF Washington was that mos
Of us knew him only as steel en-
craving. That is far from the TACT te
any one Who l.as made himself ID ths
slightest degree familiar With what won
derful life Of his.
Eve speak with enthusiasm OF tie pro
found philosophy and patriotism OF JET
fersop, CT the wonderful genius of Ham
ilton, and ne can follow through al
that long line of giants Of intellect who
stood for this country in its country
need at the time Of the revolution; but
why is it, my friends, that above them
all, not with SO much genius as Ham
iItnn, not with SO much intellect as
Jefferson, not with go much brilliancy
as many others, above them all, head
and shoulders, stands Washington be-
cause of his character? He united with
that character that leyelheadedness,
that pure, disiuterested patriotism, and
that patience that enabled him to
unite all these men together 10 one
common purpose, and keep them, not
withstanding their defects OF tempera-
ment, notwithstanding the jealousIes
that sometimes interfered with their
Joint movement toward their common
purpose. He keep them together by
that sanity, that judgment, and by the
H. hu,n of bis personality and char
| ac,er he made possible The creation oil
this republic. It is pleasure to come
here onto this sacred soil OF Alexan.
andra-that felt his tread-to come
into this lodge, and have the strong
personal feeling that you cannot help
having when you handle the trowel
that he handled, and when you come
under tho influence CT the same at
mosphere that the Father OF Our Coun-
try breathed; so it is that it gives me
the greatest pleasure as the president
OF the United States, proud to succeed
that long line Of great men with the
greatest at the head, George Washing
ton, TO be here and to testify, both IN
nv character as an individual and as
temporary president Of the United
States, the profound respect that we all
feel for him as Il fellow Mason. as a cit
izen, as patriot, and as our father.
ought to stop here, but | observe
that in this programme somebody has
slipped in leaf don't know whether
it was with the consent OF the manage
me'lt or not, because | understand that
politics is abolished in Masonic gath
erings. But there is something about
the name Of reciprocity that attracts a
Mason, and il gratified me much to
know that one OF the delegations here
| (Michigan). that came in great num-
Der. found 113 OF them in favor OF rec
iprocity ard only 5 hesitating. With
that unanimity | am not gong TO quar-.
rel. As | understand it that delegation
came from that part Of the country
where opposition may be expected II
anywhere, and if there are only 5 out
OF 113--5 rccalcitrants-Thich the IN
fuence, and the proper influence OF
Masonry, will bring over, certainly we
ought all 10 be encouraged. And now
my friends, on your behalf and on my
own behalf, OH behalf of tho gallant
senators of Virginia, who would think
nothing OF me unless took this step,
and on behalf of your handsome rep
resen,atye, and on behalf OF the whole
assembly OF gallant Masons, | wish to
extend TO these beautiful landmarks
the thanks that we all feel for their
hospitality aud their comiug kindly to
our assistance in this exigency. can
readily understand why the men OF
Alexandria refuSe--now that am to
lose their identity to become part OF
the capital. I am very grateful to the
AleSaudriaW ashington Lodge; | am
very grateful to all the members OF the
association, TO all Masons, for their
cordial greeting--a greeting that I am
not entitled to, because I am so young
Mason, and l do not feel that know
as much as you do OF the treasures OF
that association, and yet ! hope to
prove myself loyal brother before ]
die
Loud and continued applause again
broke forth the company rising to their
feet aud manifesting great enthusiasm,
as the president took his seat.
As President Taft was about to leave
the banquet hall on bis return tc
Washington, Judge Duke, OF Char.
lottesyille, presented to him in grace
iul speech, large bunch of American
beauties to present with the compli'
ments of the Alexandria Washington
Lodge, to the first lady OF the land. "
The president left Immediately on
the palace car Mount Vernon for Wash
ington.
Interesting speeches we're delivered
later By Brother J. H. McLeary, Of
Porto Rico; Senator Lafayette Young,
of Iowa; Judge Lawrence Lee, OF
| Alabama; Right Worshipful W. L.
Andrews, OF Roanoke; Deputy Grand
Master OF Virginia; the grand chaplain
OF Michigan; Grand Master Roscoe
Swift, OF Michigan; Right Worshipfu
Lamberton, OF Pennsylvania, and Judge
R. I. w. Duke, jr., OF Charlottesville
1t was midnight when the company
adjourned,
There was eulivening music during
tho evening, and Messss, Kenneth W
Ogden, Of this city, and Mr., Frank