Where Are The
Cornerstones
of Democracy?

Jackson L. Polk

  THE original cornerstones of both the White House and the United
States Capitol cannot be located.  There are several theories as to
each cornerstone's location, and original architectural drawings
have been found to offer guidance, but to this day, almost two
hundred years after they were placed, we do not know exactly where
these stones are.

   They were laid during elaborate Masonic cornerstone ceremonies
in the early 1790's by American Freemasons.  Among these Free-
masons were some of the most prominent men of that day.  For
instance, George Washington, while he was President, was also Past
Master of Alexandria-Washington Lodge, No. 22, and he per-
sonally laid the U.S. Capitol's Cornerstone in 1793 as a Mason,
not as President.

  Now, at the Bicentennials of these Masonic events, it is impor-
tant to know where these historic cornerstones are located.

  Also, another important Masonic cornerstone Bicentennial occurs
on April 15, 1991.  This cornerstone, which marks the surveyor's
first boundary point of the District of Columbia, is at Jones
Point.  It is now a National Park within the city of Alexandria,
Virginia.  The surveyors used this southernmost corner of the
District as a reference point to map the rest of the Federal
District.

  In this case, we do know the cornerstone's actual location.  A
permanent replacement stone was set in 1794. It is about four feet
high and sits among the rocks a few feet from the waters of the
Potomac River.  It is protected by an iron  gate  and  a
surrounding concrete wall and top.  A few feet further inland is
the Jones Point Lighthouse.

   Alexandria-Washington Lodge No. 22 laid the original boundary
stone in a Masonic ceremony. Brethren of this Lodge hope to again
perform this ceremony in the spring of 1991.  It and other
Washington area Symbolic and Grand Lodges are also discussing the
re-enactment of the White House and the U.S. Capitol's cor-
nerstone ceremonies.  The Bicentennial of the White House's cor-
nerstone is on October 13, 1992. The U.S. Capitol's cornerstone's
is on September 18, 1993.  There will be much publicity about these
important anniversaries.

  When these events occur, recording them in a professionally
produced television documentary series would be timely.  Programs
telling the truth of Freemasonry's involvement would provide an
excellent forum to explain the Fraternity by demonstrating on
television the historic actions of our Masonic Founding Fathers.
This cannot help but increase the public's understanding of our
Fraternity and would probably generate interest in membership.


   Capstone Productions is planning an independent television
documentary about the White House and the U.S. Capitol on their
respective cornerstone Bicentennials as well as, possibly, the
Federal District cornerstone ceremony next spring.  Symbolic
Lodges and Scottish Rite Bodies everywhere could use such a
videotape for a wide variety of Masonic programs as a means to
reach potential candidates and, via community access television
channels, to enlighten the general public about America's Masonic
heritage.

   There is no better medium than television to reach the widest
possible audience and no better time than now with the corner-
stones' anniversaries upon us.

   The title for the television project, Where Are the
Cornerstones of Democracy?, was chosen after study of Masonic
philosophy.  It summarizes the subject in allegory.  For  those
who see only a simple search for missing cornerstones, it may
be viewed  as an historic archeological project.  For those who see
deeper meanings, it will symbolize the Masonic philosophy behind
the actions of our Founding Fathers.  Let those who have eyes see.

  Sensitive to the input of the Masonic groups related by history
to these cornerstone events but produced by a non-Masonic
organization, the proposed video program will entertain, educate,
and inform by providing a fresh, independent, and accurate account
of early American history, one that tells the full story of
Masonry's involvement in these significant events. The simple
truth of the Founding Father's actions can stand any scrutiny.

  For additional information contact Jackson H. Polk, CAPSTONE
PRODUCTIONS INC., 809 Rowen Road, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910.
Phone 301-585-9855


   A woman was urging her husband to hire her lazy nephew.  "He
needs a job," she explained.  "You have hundreds of workers at the
plant and I'm sure you can find something for him to do." "We don't
have an opening," her husband said. "Business is slow at the moment
and we really don't have enough work to keep our present employees
busy." "That's all right," the man's wife replied.  "The little
work he would do wouldn't even be noticed anyway." Sunshine
Magazine