The New York herald., 1920-01-18
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and all the craft. forming circle west
ward, stood short time in solemn order
THE artillery discharged a volley. the
Grand Marshal delivered the Commits
sioners large silver plate with an in
scription thereon. which the Commits
sioners ordered to be read and was as
follows
"'This southeast cornerstone of the
Capitol of the United States of America
was laid on the 18th day of September.
1898. in the thirteenth year of American
independence, in the first year of The Sec
ond term of the Presidency of George
Washington. whose virtues in the civil
administration Of his country have been
as conspicuous and beneficial as his Mill
tary valor and prudence have been useful
in establishing her liberties. and in the
year of Masonry 5793, by the President of
the United States in concert with the
Grand Lodge of Maryland. several lodges
under its Jurisdiction and Lodge No. p.
from Alexandria. Va: Thomas Johnson,
David Steuart and Daniel Carroll, Com
missioners; Joseph Clark, r. w. G.. NJ.
pro tenn, James Hoban and Stephen Hal
late, architects; Collin Williamson, Mas
ter Mason.
1.-The artillery discharged a volley.
The plate was then delivered to the Pres
ident who, attended by the Grand Master
pro tenn. and three Most Worshipful Mas
| ters. descended to the cavazion trench
and deposited the plate and laid it on the
cornerstone of the Capitol Of the United
States of America, on which were de-
posted corn, wine and oil. when the
whole congregation joined in reverentiai
prayer, which was succeeded by Masonic
chanting honors (?) and volley from the
artillery.
"The President of the United States
and his attendant brethren then ascended
| from the cavazion to the east of the cor
nerstone and there the Grand Master pro
tenn, elevated on triple rostrum. de-
| lvered an grafton fitting the occasion,
which was received with brotherly love
and commendation. At intervals during
the delivery of the grafton several volleys
were discharged by the artillery.
"The whole company then retired to
an extensive booth. where an OK of five
| hundred pounds weight was barbecued.
| of which the company generally partook.
with every abundance of other recrea-
ton"
The foregoing revives but one of many
historic scenes In which Virginia Free
masonry has represented the Universal
Craft with credit and undying fame.
A. wnshinEton's Bier.
| Another and less joyful picture was that
which formed around the Masonic bier of
IS. 1893. Alexandria, No. %. conveyed the
remains of it's beloved Past Master to
their final resting place. This was a
Wednesday and the Father of American
Freedom had passed to the Grand Lodge
| on High on the previous Saturday, Decem-
ber II. Early in the day the Masonic fra
ternity, under the escort of the military
and citizens Of Alexandria. proceeded to
Mount Vernon, where. under the leader
ship of DIR. Elisha c. Dick, Worshipful
Master. and accompanied by a dis
tinyuished company of mourning rela-
tives and friends, the last Masonic rites
were given and the Acacia deposited upon
the casket of the greatest Mason Of Amer
lea
A red letter day IN the history Of Alex
andra Lodge, No 90 was that upon
which il received on the occasion OF his
return visit TO America as the nations
guest the venerable Marquis de Lafa-
yette. who was welcomed in the lodge on
February 81. 1926 attired in the Masonic
clothing of his beloved old comrade in
arms. General Washington. Later a
sumptuous banquet was partaken of nj
Clagett's Hotel where Worshipful Mas
ter Semmes presided and an astonishing
number of Masonic and patriotic toasts
drank relating to all the uppermost ques-
tions of that eventful era II is note
worthy that among the marshals of the
civic parade in Washington city which
was rendered TO the great Lafayette on
the occasion Of this same visit. was the
later to be idol OF chivalric Virginia. the
Young Robert r. Lee. Alexandria Lodge
No. 22. has become. as we have intiinated
the American Masonic Mecca. It's lodge
rooms are Kept as nearly as possible in
the same condition as when Washington
presided and it's walls bear a splendid
collection of relics of the great Past Mas.
ter. BY special permission his name has
been affixed to that of the lodge. so that
II is more proper to speak OF Alexandra
Washington. No. %. the official name
now borne
A Washington Masonic Memorial Asso-
citation having representatives all over
the United States is slowly but surely
building UP tho important fund destined
to provide this wonderful old Virginia
I.ndgn with a lemnle which. with its