The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-06-06
|0[l REG|nEN1,
SAYS RICHARDSON
JUD6n URGES YOUNG MEN TO
sBow PATnIorIsM ny joins
ING MILITIA.
LAY CORNERSTONE
MASONIC CEREMONIES CREATE EN-
II THUSIAsM AND FIRST REGI-
n NEWT ARMoRY Is DEDICATED
IN FIRST STEP OF PRO-
GREsS.

With elaborate Masonic ceremonies
The cornerstone of the First regiment
efmory was laid yesterday afternoon
= 6so'clock. Temple Lodge. No. 3.
Smonies. Judge d. C. Richardson made
the grafton. Captain Charles A. Craw-
ford was master OF ceremonies, and
Kessnich's band contributed the music.
Mayor Ainslie and Captain Morgan
r. Mills were guests OF honor, the lat
ter accepting the work in a brief
fepeeoh.
Tho Masons and knights Templar
assembled at the Masonic Temple and
marched to the scene. after having
been given an escort from the various
companies of the First regiment,
under command OF Major L. r. Price.
Tho line of march led from the tenn
ple to the armory, and thousands OF
people were along the line OF march.
Captain Crawford introduced Wor-
ehipful Charles II. Mason. who In
Quoted the Masons through the cere-
mony. After the stone had been laid
and the box. containing many Masonic
mementoes. had been placed in the
ireceptacle, Captain Morgan r. Mills,
chairman of the council committee on
utilities, accepted the work, and
Nessrs. Carneal & johnson, the archi-
tects were presented the utensils used
by the Masons.
Judge Richardson's Remarks.
Then Judge Richardson addressed
me KatherinE, which almost covered
ne top Of the first floor OF the new
building and the streets adjacent
thereto. Many ladies were in the
nA "a vr{tf yy,.trh interest
the remarks of Judge Richardson.
Who. In accepting the work for the
cts. referred In graphic language to
the great work accomplished by the
old First Virginia regiment during
she days which tried not only mems
souls, but their soles as well.
He said that the First Virginia regi-
ment was among the foremost in
many OF the hottest fights Of the war.
Many OF the leaders Of the regiment
were either badly wounded or killed
/ III the early days OF the war. and many
of the privates fell In the fierce con-
| f.cts at Manassas, Bull Run and
Gettysburg.
After going through the war In
most Interesting manner. and telling
o. the heroic acts of the men OF the
old First Virginia. the sons and grand
SONS of many of whom sat before him.
designed as the First regiment armory.
! II would contain only a battalion OF
| that regiment and he hoped that this
would not be the condition long.
II trust that the young men OF
Richmond will realize that. while we
are the most peaceful nation on earth.
there Is no telling what time turmoil
and strife may spring TO the front. and
| II Is my hope that this armory win
not only he the headquarters OF the
battalion but the whole regiment, Let
you young men get together. Form
more companies, so that we may say
. to the world that whenever II Ia neces
sary we can send a complete regiment
+ &c the front to protect our country's
| fully embrace the young men OF
Richmond.
Stand BY the Flag.
"Your forefathers stood by the flag
Why should not you young men do
the same? There Ia no reason now
to feel that war is upon us. The
EA11lennium In not here. There Is no
telling when we may be called upon.
AN the nations OF the earth are vieing
with each other In the construction of
ships ard other implements OF de-
s<yuction. and the standing armies are
bedng kept at a higher figure than
0ver before. We should be ready. We
H6Ust be ready. Form more companies
o that the First Virginia regiment
may DO the real one In the State, and
that its headquarters may be In Rich
mond, and that We may not have to be
l q part OF the regiment.
\ with this handsome armory. and
m sight Of the fine armories Of the
IHichmond HowitzerS and the Rich
ts4tnht Infan.ry Blues, as a fixture, we
kbhould have the best and most effec-
x i've gathering Of local militia any,
where in the country. You boys get
together and make OF this regiment a
Richmond regiment Do not let us
feel that we have not enough young
patriots here to form a complete regi-
ment."
Judge Richardson referred feeling
" to the old soldiers who formed the
original regiment. and mentioned par
ticulariy the father of Captain Craw-
ford, who suffered the pangs OF war
and whose SON had kept the old
Richmond Grays together for a long
time, and who II now one OF the lead
ing members OF the First Virginia
REGIMENT association.
Work on the armory Is progress
ink. The contractors are the Wise
Granite company. They hope to have
everything ready by the New Year.