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President McKinley marks 100th anniversary of George Washington’s death

The United States Masonic Organizations made plans to commemorate George Washington on the 100th anniversary of his death on Dec. 14, 1899.

The Masons had made a substantial contribution to the Mount Vernon Ladies Association to preserve Washington’s — a member of the Masons — plantation from being sold to a private individual. They approached fellow Mason President William McKinley about speaking at the event.

McKinley agreed to speak at the commemoration, to be held at Mount Vernon, but advised the organizers that his remarks were going to be brief because of pressing presidential business.

President McKinley long had held a great admiration for George Washington. The superintendent of Mount Vernon had reported in his 1897 annual report that McKinley had sent flowers to be placed on the tomb of Washington in May 1897.

The December 1899 visit to Mount Vernon was not McKinley’s first visit to Washington’s home. The Mount Vernon Ladies Association invited President and Mrs. McKinley to attend a reception during their May 1898 meeting. The president accepted the invitation and became the first president to visit Mount Vernon since Benjamin Harrison in 1890. President and Mrs. McKinley toured the house before attending the reception. Ida McKinley was so weak that she had to be carried from room to room during the tour.

There was a festive atmosphere in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, Dec. 14, 1899. The city was full of Masons, their wives, family members, tourists and Masons from Canada and other countries commemorating the anniversary of the death of George Washington.

The day started at 8 a.m. with a military band leading the Masons in a mile-long parade down Pennsylvania Avenue to the Potomac River. There, the Masons and all others attending the commemoration then boarded boats to cross the Potomac to reach Mount Vernon.

McKinley and his distinguished guests, including his cabinet, boarded a nonstop electric train at 10 a.m. in Washington for Mount Vernon. The presidential party arrived there at 11 a.m.

The presidential party made its way to the east side of the mansion, where a platform had been erected for the president to view the procession marching towards Washington’s tomb. McKinley joined the procession that followed the exact route of Washington’s funeral procession on Dec. 14, 1799. The first stop was at Washington’s burial vault where he was first laid to rest. A Masonic burial ritual was performed there.

The procession then proceeded to Washington’s tomb for further ceremonies. The participants in the day’s activities observed the tomb being adorned with many wreaths and evergreens. One of the most beautiful wreaths was one of ivy immortelles and acacia blossoms, provided by McKinley.

The ceremonies at the tomb ended and the attendees made their way to the grass on the east side of Washington’s mansion. There the crowd waited to hear McKinley’s eulogy.

McKinley began speaking to the crowd by paying homage to Washington as a Mason and how the Masonic values influenced Washington throughout his life. McKinley talked about what a sage Washington was in the founding of the United States. He then talked about what a strong character Washington possessed.

McKinley concluded his remarks by saying the following, according to the New York Times:

“While strong with his own generation, he is stronger even in the judgment of the lapse of the century he is better appreciated, more perfectly understood, more thoroughly venerated and loved than when he lived. He remains an ever-increasing influence for good in every part and sphere of the Republic. He is recognized as not only the most farsighted statesman of his generation, but as having had almost prophetic vision. He built not alone for his time, but for the great future, and pointed the rightful solution of many of the problems, which were to arise in the years to come.

“The nation needs at this moment the help of his wise example. In dealing with vast responsibilities we turn to him. We invoke the counsel of his life and character and courage. We summon his precepts that we may keep his pledges to maintain justice and law, education and morality, the civil and religious liberty in every part of the country — the new as well as the old.”

McKinley’s remarks were met with great enthusiasm from the audience. He was interrupted several times for applause during the speech, and he was given a hearty cheer at its conclusion.

The president returned to Washington at the conclusion of his speech to resume his work day.

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