Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-02-15
From the State House.
Bosrox, Tuesday, Feb. IA, 1871.

OOoAON3 AuCoud4 ECDs ~ 1oils
The ceremonies attending the presentation of
the statue of the late Gov. Andrew, took place
in the Doric hall of the state house this fore
noon, in the presence of as large an audience as
could be accommodated within the walls. At
hali-past ten o'clock the members of both
branches of the legislature assembled in their
respective halls, and shortly before eleven
O'Clock they proceeded to the Doric hall, where
the other persons who were to take part in the
proceedings were gathered. A few settees were
arranged in the back part of the hall, which
were occupied by the governor and staff, former
members of Gov. Andrews staff, present and
past members of the governors council, and in
dividuals. who had subscribed to the statue
fund. A few ladies were also included in the
assembly.
The ceremonies were opened by the Hon H.
II. Coolidge, president of the senate, who briefly
and In eloquent words alluded TO the great deeds
of Gov. Andrew and the love and veneration
borne for him by grateful people.
Hon. William Gray spoke at some length and
stated that even after the death of Gov. An
drew, four hundred and twenty-five friends
placed in the hInds CT the trustees $50 500 to be
expended at their discretion with single eye to
the welfare of his family. A portion Of the fund
has been set apart for his two sisters, and the
income of the residue has been applied to the
benefit of his widow and children. So was re-
allied the faith which he had III the relations
between himself and the people OF Massachu-
sets. He had declined the office of collector of
customs for the port of Boston, voluntarily ten
dered 10 lin by the president of the United
States; an honorable and lucrative Office, held
by two of his distinguished predecessors after
they had retired from the executive chair
When asked why he did not accept the appoint
ment he replied with a calm seEreliance on his
own future, if he lived, and faith as to that of
his family if he were early removed, "that is
not the office for me; the people of Massachu-
sets will take care of my family"
One other service remained to be performed,
At meeting held in Faneull hall on the 18th
day Of January, in the year 1865, committee
was appointed for the purpose of erecting a
statue of Edward Everett, and by the terms of
the subscription for that object, it was provided
that any surplus which might remain should be
disposed of as the committee should direct
| Five hundred subscribers contributed to this
| fund the sum Of thirty-three thousand dollars.
| After procuring statue of Mr.. Everett, which
stands in the Public Garden, bust Of him,
which is in the public library, and a full-ength
| portrait Of him, which hangs in FaneuIl hall, a
large sum remained. From this fund the sum
OF five thousand dollars was given towards COM
pleting the equestrian statue of Washington, on
| the Public Garden, and the sum of ten thousand
dollars was appropriated for a statue of John a..
| Andrew, in marble, to be placed in the state
| house. The work was entrusted to the Ameri-
can artist, Thomas Ball, who has completed his
| work % the acceptance of the committee, and
the statue now stands in this hall, here to re-
man, the gift of private citizens to the common
| wealth OF Massachusetts, as a memorial of the
atfectionate regard in which the people of the
state hold her distinguished son.
| He gave sketch OF the life of Gov. Andrew,
| closing with the following words The private
citizens who have placed in this hall a statue of
| john A. Andrew nov offer il to the acceptance
| of the commonwealth. There is no spot on earth
so fit for him to stand upon. Under the dome
OF the capitol, the witness Of his exhausting toll
of five years. in the vestibule to the halls Of leg
islation where his counsels were uttered, and to
the council chamber of his cares, aGxietles and
hopes; in the presence OF and "beneath hun
dred battle-6ags, war-worn, begrimmed and
bloody, proud but sad memorials of the glory
and the grief Of war" the great magistrate
will stand "the observed of all observers
From that portrait statue will proceed an infiu'
ence 10 kindle the aspirations of the young, IN
spring them to walk worthily in their lot, and
TO awaken the gratitude of ALL that in the hour
OF the greatest trial Of our country Massachu.
sets had chief magistrate worthy of her OWL
fame.
Gov Clafn, in behalf of the commonwealth
: received the statue, making an excellent ad.
dress. He said
A little more than ten years ago. John A. An
drew took the oath Of office as governor of thii
commonwealth, Though pale with emotion