Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-02-23
PRESIDENT TAFT
ELECTED PATRON.
Nt
Masonic Memorial Association Con-
fers Signal Honor Upon
Him Yesterday.
TRIBUTE TO WASHINGTON.
recalls Yale DAYS In speech Before As.
sOciation--Wreath Laid eh Tomb OF
Washington at Mount Vernon.

The visit of William II. Taft to
Alexandria yesterday was the crown,
ing feature of the Masonic celebration
in honor of George Washington. AS
told in yesterdays Gazette, the Presi-
dent reached Alexandria at 2.3U p. m
He came in the private car, Mt. Yer
non and was accompanied by the fol-
lowing masons.
Senators Martin and Swanson, of
Virginia; Representative Carlin, OF
Alexandria; Clarence P. King, Mayor
Paff, of Alexandria; Representative
William B. Mckinley, of Illinois; Rep.
resentative James w. Collier, Of Miss
issippi; Mr.. Howe, F. II. Treat, J. Fl.
Hunter, w. L. Andrews, grand master
of Virginia; E. H. Kemper, worship
full master of Alexandria Washington
Lodge, No. %; Samuel w. Pitts, SEN
ior warden of thesame lodge; Charles
B. Swan, junior warden; Lawrence H.
Lee, past grand master Of Alabama;
A. B. Ashley, past grand master of
Illinois; and Maj. Archibald Butt.
When the train bearing the presi-
Dental party reached King and Royal
streets, in Alexandria where the en-
tire party disenbarked and was
greeted by a crowd of several hun
dred persons, the president and other
distinguished guests were whisked
around the block in automobiles to the
Masonic Temple. The crowd gave
the president an ovation and the Pres
dent dotted his hat several times in
response There was A*crowd collect
ed around the Masonic Temple as the
party entered and came out. The GER
emony there was brief one taking
less than half an hour.
President Taft was received by
ce-President Lamberton, of Pennsyl
vania with few remarks to which the
President responded as follows:
"My Bretheren: My brother Lam
berton; under whose tutelague and
guidance / served four years at Yale,
and from whom have since received
my lessons in Masonery, enjoins me
that I must say something to indi-
cate nv presence here. ! am glad to
say how appropriate it seems to me
as a humble Mason that we should on
the 22nd of February, the birthday of
George Washington, meet here as Ma
sons to testify to our appreciation of
his relation to our great body, and our
belief that in the great traits of his
character he illustrated the founda
tion principles of our order and our
association.
81 am glad to be here to take part
in this ceremony to testify how deep
my conviction is"
William L. Andrews, Grand Master
of Virginia, made happy reply to
President Taft, stating that Masonry
leveled all on an equal footing of
brotherhood and fraternity, and that
he was glad to welcome Mr.. Taft, not
as the president, but as brother.
He introduced Senators Martin and
Swanson who were given Masonic
honorS.
A resolution was then introduced by
George N. Napier, grand master of
Georgia, making the president pat
ron of the George Washington Mason
ic Memorial Association. 1t was ad-
opted by a rising vote unanimously.
At the conclusion of the reception
the presidents party was taken to Mt.
Vernon, where the president laid
large wreath of white roses on the
resting plact of the nation's"tather.
The gates of the ivy covered TOMB
were opened in order that the presi-
dent might go inside. He stood 1or
several minutes within the tomb, gaz-
ing thoughtfully about the brick ana
stone inclosure where rests the Oooy
of the man who first held the once
he now occupies. The visitors were
impressed by the presidents silent
tribute, and stood with heads bareo'
Work of the Association.
The meeting of the Masonic Memo
rial Association, adjourned an hour be-
fore President Taft's arrival. A res
oiution was adopted to have as seal
the George Washington coat-of-arms
with the words I'm Memoriam" above.
A resolution to incorporate the asso-
citation under the laws of the State of
Virginia, laid over from Wednesday
was taken up and discussed at length
The sentiment of the association seen,