Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-11-02
Column 200 Feet High Will
Command View Vast Estate
Once Owned by First Presi-
dent At Alexandria, Vir.-
Impressive Ceremonies With
President Coolidge Spread
ing First Mortar

Alexandria, Va, Nov. with
solemn ritual, in the presence of the
nations highest officials and one of
/ the largest gatherings of Blue Lodge
Masons in history, the cornerstone
was laid today of the lofty national
memorial which will be erected by the
Free Masons of America to their re-
vered craftsman, George Washing
ton.
When completed, the structure
will be one of the largest monu-
| mentS ever erected in honor of an
Individual. Standing on the crest of
Shooters Hill. the massive granite
pile will rise in coumned dignity 200
feet above the stone set in place to-
day to command a perpetual view of
the vast estate once owned by
Washington, the capital of the re-
public he helped make possible, and
the quaint old town of Alexandria,
| where he presided over Masonic
meetings. Not far away lies Mount
Vernon, where he spent much of his
life. and died.
President Coolidge, though not a
member Of the fraternity, silently
spread the first mortar with the
trowel his illustrious predecessor
used in laying the cornerstone of the
first national capitol and the first
Masonic temple erected here. Chief
Justice Taft followed him. using the
same relic, which then was put away
to be guarded until. about five years
hence. its final resting place is ready
in the shrine that was consecrated
today.
After the President and the chief
justice had performed their act of
homage. Charles II. Callahan. deputy
grand master of Virginia, and the
grand -IrY@te~ay=
in the United States or their ennis
saries, with a number of past grand
masters, convened as members of the
grand lodge of Virginia, each in turn
spread mortar with silver trowel
destined to place among the treas
ures of their grand jurisdiction.
The great stone. bearing the en-
blematic square and compass of Free
masonry and containing a Bible. an
American flag. copy of the United
I States constitution and the Declara-
ton of Independence, literature des-
cribing the history of the order. other
documents and tokens from each of
the grand Jurisdictions, was tried
with the working tools of their of
fees by the grand master. the grand
senior warden. and the grand jun
ior warden. who pronounced it "true.
trusty and well laid" 1t was lowered
into place by Operative" Masons
with three distinct movements. be-
tween each of which grand honors"
were bestowed. and was consecrated
by the pouring on it of the Corn
of plenty. the wine of joy and the
oil of blessedness"
The Masonic tone and language
was maintained throughout the cere-
mony. which included song and story
telling of the devotion of George
Washington TO the cause of liberty
and the ideals of Freemason after
wards, the Right Rev. James Ed
ward Fireman, Episcopal bishop of
Washington, delivered a eulogy to
the nations first chief. whom he call
ed "the great eXemplar." Urging re-
dedication of the nation to the prin-
ciples of Washington. he warned
against influences which tend to
create religious hatred or might alter
the fundamental basis of the nations
relations with other peoples.