The New York herald., 1920-01-18

British derived prerogahves. which was
duly granted. and officers elected on De-
cember 81. 1888, in what was then termed
Alexandria Lodge, No. SO. Robert Adam,
one of the schismatic petitioners being
Master.
A correspondence then ensued bearing
upon the irregular;ty and unseemliness of
this procedure, which proceeded with so
much candor and fairness on all sides
that the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania
withdrew from its usurpative attitude. and
Alexandria Lodge. No. &c. voluntarily re-
linqushed it's irregular position. filing a
new and loyal petition with the Grand
Lodge of it's own State for the honorable
Authorization of its charter by the latter
body, which was granted.
It was his eminent service in this deli
cate situation, in which great offence had
been given and greater minds refused to
entertain resentment. but sought the way
out of the dilemma through peaceful me
diation. that brought Brother George
Washington to other prominence in Ma
sonic affairs then as the mere recipient
of Masonic letters Of congratulation upon
his services to the nation as soldier.
The great desire OF Virginia Masons to
have this illustrious brother take some
active personal part in the upbuildng of
the craft in his native State now crystal
lized in the insistence which developed
that no other than himself should head
the position OF the improperly constituted
Alexandria Lodge for rebirth within the
legitimate fold which occurred on April
2S. 17Ss, under the warrant of the Most
Worsh. pful Edmund Randolph. changing
it's registry from No. % to No. %. under
which 1t has achieved Its subsequent
great distinction. George Washington
stands as first Master.
NH Il = AL l.
lustre to the Masonic annals of the State
of Virginia, second only TO that con-
ferred by the name and services of WASH
ington Born at Williamsburg in 1853. he
was the son Of John Randolph. Attorney
General of the Colony OF Virginia under
the British Crown. and grandson of Sir
John Randolph OF Tazewell Hall. His
father. regarded as the aolest lawyer In
Virginia. was q Loyalist and retired to
England at the beginning of the Revolu-
ton. He dsinherited Edmund for the
latter's refusal to adhere to the Crown
and died there I'm 174. Edmund Randolph.
who received his education at William
and Mary College. served as an aide de
camp to Washington in i7l5. He was
Governor of the state of Virginia from
1856 to 17ss, during which period he was
also Grand Master of Masons OF the state
OF Virginia. He was a member of the
convention which framed the constitu-
ton of the United states and both Attor-
ney General and Secretary or War during
Wasbinrton's Presidential administration.
He died in Frederick county in 1913. 1t is
n little remembered historical fact that
the original cession Of territory by the
State of virginia 90 the United States for
the purpose of forming the District Of
Columbia included the city OF Alexandria,
which being found superfluous to the ma
tional purpose was subsequently returned
to Virginia Cs46). In the interval. how
ever, Alexandra Lodge, No. Y, had the
distinction Of being concerned in the lay
ing of the foundation stone or the ma
tionai Capitol. but II declined 60 take part
in the constitution Of grand lodge of
the District of Columbia on account Of
sentimental attachment TO the Virginia
charter. bearing the name OF our first
President, which IL would have doubtless
been compelled to surrender
For the President.
When the cornerstone of the United
states CAPITOL at Washington was laid.
September 1S, 1893, Alexandria Lodge no.
%. crossed the Potomac in honor of It's
eminent Postmaster. now President
of the United states, who officiated in
his Masonic capacity as well on that
memorable occasion, Alexandria Lodge.
No 90 having the post OF honor.
This a. a newspaper report Of the event
in tho press Of that distant day
"on Wednesday ono Of the grandest
Masonic professions took place for the
purpose of laying the cornerstone OF the
Capitol of the United states which per.
hars wau ever exhibited OH the like I'm.
polLant uccaAinu, About Tan o'clock