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valuables of her public possessions, the name and simple portrait of Washington."
It is peculiarly appropriate that the solemn and interesting ceremony, of laying this corner-stone, should be performed by us, my Masonic brethren, for he, whose name is to make it a great national landmark for all future time, was a Freemason. The soldier, the statesman, the great and good man, upon all proper occasions, clothed himself in the regalia of our order, took his place among the craft, and avowed to the world his affection and regard for our ancient institution.
We have all about us, my brethren, the evidences that Washington was a Mason, and of his devotion to the craft. The Lodge from Fredericksburg, Virginia, is present, and its members bear with them the ancient, and interesting records of their proceedings, wherein is recorded the entering, passing, and raising of "Mr. George Washington," and upon which may be seen the handwriting of the Father of his Country. This apron and this sash, which I now have the honor to wear, were Washington's, and were worn by him while President of the United States, at the laying of the corner-stone of the Capitol, at which ceremony he used this gavel, which I shall use in the ceremony of laying this corner-tone. The chair upon the stand opposite, which has been occupied by the gifted orator who has just addressed you in words of eloquence, which shall be as immortal as the fame of him whom he has so nobly eulogized, is the property of Alexandria Washington Lodge, No. 22; it was purchased for that Lodge by Washington, and occupied by him during the time in which he presided over its deliberations. These sacred and invaluable relics are owned, the gavel by Potomac Lodge, in Georgetown, the other article by Alexandria Washington Lodge.
We come here, then, to-day, on this Sabbath of our national existence, not only in the presence of this immense concourse of human beings, but in the presence of the Almighty, whose blessing we have invoked, to commence, in behalf of a great nation, the performance of a duty which that nation owes to the memory of Washington. The superstructure which is to rise above this corner-stone, will bear such emblems as shall be calculated to remind the millions who may look upon it hereafter, not only of the Father of his Country, but of the country of which he was the father. A circular colonnade is to form the main feature of the structure, from which, pointing to heaven, will spring a plain obelisk, five hundred feet in height. Near the apex of that obelisk is to be placed, in alto relievo, a single star. Like that star of old, which gathered the
