Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1915-12-02

tens of thousands of tourists annually
make their way to the home and
tomb of Washington, is also in close
proximity, about the same distance
from the site as the Southern, which
crosses it at the foot of the hill. s
A mile to the west is the Episcopal
Theological Seminary famed through
out the nation as an educational in
stitution and the Alma Mater of such
eminent divines as Bishop Potter,
Bishop Randolph, Phillips Brooks,
Randolph McKim aud host of other
bright lights of the Episcopalian
faith.
Far off in the southeast where the
Potomac bends gracefully towards
Mount Vernon can be plainly seen the
heights of Fort Washington, with its
white buildings dotting the landscape
and Old Glory flying above its hid
den batteries and directly north the
wireless towers of Radio, marking
the location of Arlington, rise above
the intervening woodland. Along the
northeastern slopes of the hill the
beautiful suburban town Of Rosemont
is rapidly developing into a residen-
tial city of itself.
1t was on the upper stretches of
these rising grounds that Braddock's
army was quartered in 1755, and from
which it moved on to participate III
the disastrous conflict at Fort Du.
quesne At the base of the hill on
the south is the northern terminus Of
the old Kings Highway, extending
from Williamsburg to Alexandria
made immortal by its association will.
historic events. Over this old roaG
on the 18th Of December, 1899, tbs
funeral cortege, consisting of citiz.
ems. masons and militia, wended it.
way from Alexandria to Monnt Fern
on, there to perfom the burial rite:
over the remains of the departed
Washington. 1t is one Of the oldes!
public highways in America and wa.
originally erected OH an Indian trai
improved by Royal Command" an6
later by colonial statute and remains
mute witness to the advance Of An
glo-Saxon civilization in the west
ern world
Looking down upon the ''old city.
the observer will see rising above the
ancient roofs and tree-tops, the octa.
gon shaped spire Of Christ Church. in
wlrie!, qGisi:c Washing: ess< ygorsll;p,5e
and was a member Of its vcstry. h::
pew being still preserved in its orig
inal form. In it also the ilnStrious
Southern chieftain, Robert e. Lee
was confirmed by the venerable Bish-
op Meade, of the diocese Of Virginia,
in 1852. And just beyond the Church
ean be seen the towering cupola OF
Alexandria Washington Lodge Il
was to preserve the valuable relics
of this Lodge, that the movement tc
erect Memorial to Washington was
conceived, developing into Nation
al Association of representatives Of
all the Grand, Sovereign and Supreme
Bodies in the United States.
All things considered the site select.
ed is truly wonderful location, pecu-
liarly fitted for the object in view,
surrounded by ancient and moderr
landmarks Of nature calculated to
arouse the enthusiasm and inspire
the zeal of all who appreciate Am
erican citizenship and glory in the
achievements OF our fathers.
George Washington is today un-
doubtedly the worlds greatest hero ir
almost every sense and it is not ar
exaggerated prediction to say thai
as the years go by pilgrims of the
| Mystic Tie. faithful followers of tho
creed of Masonry. who have learned
and taught the thrilling story OF ths
Hirams and Of Solomon building the
temple on Mount Moriah will wend
! their way from the uttermost ends
of the earth to offer their devotions
and pay their tributes of respect IN
this temple, erected by the loving
! hands of loyal American Masons, TO
the most illustrious votary Of the
Craft, since the days of the king Of
Israel.