Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1915-07-08
IMPRESSIVE EXERCISES
Large Gathering Witness Laying of
Cornerstone of New High
School Building.

) The lot of the new Alexandria High
School was filled to Overlooking last
evening at seven o'clock when the
EXERCISES incident to the laying Of the
cornerstone of the new building took
Mace. The official guests were the
members of the City Council and OF
the school board, together with other
citv officials. The ceremonies were
conducted by the Alexandria Wash
ington Lodge of Masons, who deliv-
cred in an impressive manner The
ritual which is used by the Masons on
such occasions. City Engineer En-
NETT C. Dunn, who is in charge OF
the construction of the new building
was present and was highly congrat-
ulated on the efficient progress that
has been made in erecting the struc-
/ ture.
The parade of the Masons to the
site of the building started at the
Masonic Temple on Cameron street,
! delegation from Old Dominion Com
mandery, No. II, Knights Templar,
acting as an escort and a detail OF
| police under Chief Charles T. Goods
| and the Lone Star Camp, American
I Indian Guard Band, leading the pro-
cession. Upon arrival at the site the
Masons and Knights were seated
upon a stand which had been erected
!. for the occasion at the northeast cor
ner of the building where the corner
| stone was to be placed. The stand
was decorated in an appropriate man
ner and the Masons in their aprons,
which is the insignia of their frater-
nifty, and the Templars in their re-
splendent uniforms with their white
plums waving in the breeze furnished
a scene long to be remembered By
! those present
The historic trowel, which was
used by George Washington, first
| master of Alexandria Washington
Lodge, in laying the cornerstone OF
the national capitol. was again
brought into play. being welded IN
last nights ceremonies by Charles E
Tenneson, worshipful master.
Prayer by the Rev. DR.. James
Morse marked the opening Of the
exercises, which were ended shortly
after the reciting of the ritual and
the chanting Of hymns by members
Of the lodge; with asshort address by
Judge Charles E. Nicol, who spoke.
among other things, upon the value
of public school education to every
child of school age in the community
and upon the value of public schoo!
building as common meeting ground
for city's citizens.
81 believe" said the speaker. that
every child of school age should be
compelled to attend school, and s.
public school at that, for what is the
use of the community going to the
heavy expense of erecting large
buildings and providing excellent fa-
cilities for education if the youth do
not take advantage of the opportuni-
ties afforded them al believe" he
repeated" that children should be
made to attend a public school, be- !
cause there they meet each other on i,
common ground and are given equal
opportunities for learning and devel- /,
oping believe also that in public !
school the church and state SHOULD be |
entirely separated The Holy Bible,
if it were possible. should be put into ,
all our schools, but no sects or de- !
nominations should exist there"
Judge Nicol thus expressed his views !
on the immense value afforded by /
the public school and voiced his dis
approval Of allowing class sect or
UNCONVENTIONAL divisions to creep into ,
the routine of the school work or to
permeate the school atmosphere with
its rivalries and discord
Judge Nicol in his address paid Il
worthy tribute to Alexandria Wash
ington Lodge and spoke upon the
significance Of the connection of the
first cornerstone that of the Alex
andria Academy, laid by the Alex 7.
dria- Washington Masons one hundred
and thirty years ago and the corner
stone put into place last night. both
the first one and the present one be-
ing, he said, laid to commemorate the
cause Of education Judge Nicol re-
ferred to Washington as the pioneer
of the education Of the youth in this
country, the father of his country"
being one of the trustees and patrons
OF the old Academy.