The New York herald., 1874-06-23
THE SEVENTIES MEMORIAL.
dwelling of the Statue in
the Park.
An Immense Turnout OF
Spectators.
aPRO PATRIA EFT GLORIA" !"

There was never seen at the Central Park at any
one time since II has become one Of onr great
popular resorts such an immense crowd as was
gathered together there yesterday afternoon to
witness the pnveillng oil the memorial statue OF
the Seventh regiment. The hour chosen Tor the
ceremony--six o'clock-the delightful weather,
the romantic surroundings or the site chosen for
the statue-everyt thing, seemingly. combined to
render the occasion one OF more than
usual general interest Despite the in
tense heat which prevailed early in the
afternoon, every pathway leading to the Eighth
avenue drive near Sixty-ninth street. where the
statue had been erected on Saturday, and close
covered with an American nag, was literally
jammed with struggling mass OF men and women,
all hurrying TO the site with an eagerness that
was positively wonderful, in view OF the fact that
the hour for the beginning OF the ceremonies OF the
day had been fixed so late. And yet the crowds
were by no means entirely made up OF the curious,
the Idle and the usual Park oungers, glad OF any
thing novel to XIII an hour or two
which nigh. otherwise have hung heavily on
their hands; for the roadways, all, from every
side, were crowded with venices-hired and pri-
yate--each of which had brought its quota of upper
tendomtes who, once arrived within sight OF the
nag sweeping gracefully over its hidden treasure
on the pedestal made regular double quick
despite the proprletes OF the occasion, towards
the OF benches that placea in front OF the
monument, which were jealously prohibited TO the
nntcketed thousands by picked guard OF forty
OF the best looking men in the regiment 1t would
really oe foolhafdy to even attempt to give any
thing like an accurate idea OF
TIE NUMBERS OF THE SPECTATORS
who were present; but after the arrival OF the
regiment and the veterans whom they escorted
there could not have been, to make a rough guess
1aaa tn nan 50 n nj
tne exclusive quarters surrounding the statue
and on the lawn IN the distance, where tue out
lines OF the monument could be distinctly deserted
against the eastern sky.
The regiment, IN full dress uniform, with white
paptaloons, with ten companies OF thirty file 'front.'
lett the armory at halpast four, on specially char
tered Fourth avenue cars, the veterans IN uni
form, numbering about $50, and those in
civilian dress, numbering about 200, leaving
by the Third avenue cars. The sun was
still pouring down his scorching rays when the
two forces united on Seventy-second street and
Fifth avenue where they were met by tremen
dous gathering Of spectators. The Seventh itself
acting as escort throughout to the veterans, at
once formed by companies and, taxing the right
OF the line, began their march along the beautiful
Seventy second street drive through the Park,
passing on their way over the bridge at tie end 81
-
siashc crowd, who ebeered them Justify, the ladies'
expressing their delight at the magnificent ap-
pearance OF the boys III gray by waving their hand
kercniefs.
On nearing the site OF the monument the regi-
ment oroKe into piatoons, and with precision
and a regularity that would have delighted the
verest West Point tyro formed with no sign o.
CONFUSION into SIX separate divisions massed to
the right and front OF the statue. The veterans
also massed by divisions TO the left OF the regi
ment, and the two bands taking up position in the
centre opened the proceedings with hymn that
At once threw the whole ceremony
A soLEhNIrY AND RELIGIOUS FEELING
which was made at once evident by the awe-like
throng which stretched behind the barriers on
every side OF the monument as far as the eye could
reach. and away TO the westward along the wide
stretch OF grassy plain, which all at once-where
the crowds OF gayiy dressed ladies seated under
where there were crowds Of urchns perched
the rocks and in the trees-had become,
faces set On by % rainbow-aued i ribbons % ana ana
sashes and dresses and bonnets OF all shapes and
dainty make-ups imaginable. The sight was, in
deed, one that must nave left an Impression Of
utter wonderment upon everybody who behcd it..
In fact the Park never before had been witness OF
kets and the golden uniforms blending with the
varied colors OF The dresses and attires OF the as
scene positively enchanting. When DR.. Wes;
ton had uttered brief PRAYER, and
@ ne ma nag was nna aoPeu 6 saee ee
tic IN stature, leaning IN an easy position on his
musket with the iaclngs OF his overcoat Tapped
~
calm look Of watcnfuiness and determination
upon the youthful countenance, there was for a
shout from soldiers and people alike, so stimuli
saDeous that one would have almost be-
military command The regiment came 70
carry arns' soon after as the strains OF the
combined bands sweled up on the breeze in a
dlrge and followed quickly alrer with patriotic
Colonel yermye. IN presenting the statue to the
Park, spoke eeliDgiy OF the trials the veterans and
members OF the regiment had TO encounter IN pro-
noting the idea OF the monument, and then, alter
uttering the pious nope that we would hereafter
have no war TO divide us as people, introduced
Colonel stebbins OF the Park Commission, who
spoke as follows -
SPEECH OF PRESIDENT srEBBNs.
Mr.. STEBBlNs, President OF the Department OF
Parks addressing the Colonel OF the Seventh,
CoLoNEL-It Is my duty and nigh honor as the
President oi the Department oil Parks and IN be-
hall Of my teIlow commissioners, to assist in the
dedication OF the memorial statue or the war,
originated and competed through the patriotism
and iiberatlty OF the seventh regiment, New YORK
National Guard. The site originally selected for
this memorial was at point opposite the war
rior's Gate at 10th street ana Seventh avenue
On the 10th ol November, 1872, however, the sub
iect OF changing the loco tion was referred TO
the landscape Architect. Mr.. Olmstead, with
power TO choose another site alter conlerring with
special committee OF the seventh regiment On
the 10Th oil January, ls13 the present location was
agreed upon. IN the same year the President was
directed 10 proceed with the WORK OF erecting the
statue. That the site was happily chosen you can
all That the artist selected TO do the work
ALSO see In entrustlng this important commission
20 ar. j. q. A. Ward nc. experiment was tired.
Two great works OF his already adorned this great
pleasure ground. His Indian Hunter and
shakespeare" are alone sufficient 10 give any
sculptor worldwide reputation. Tne former IS
the most faithful, mastery and striking memo
rial OF the race that once owned this Con-
unent when extant anywhere. The
latter IS recognized as worthy Of Mr.. Wards
gtnius-and that is the very highest praise. The
aeslgn OF this last great WORK OF Mr.. Wards must
cCnmand the admiration OF all observers. Like
mos OF the artistic Inspirations which have held
the Worlos homage, 1t Il extremely simple. There
STANDS, and speaks ior itself TINS DAY with pecu
iiaf iInpressyeness, for 1t Is but the ideal, on
heroic scale OF men whom see before to-day
In the UNIFORM Of the seventh regiment. fAp-
plausel IL represents no knightly warrior
Class, out Tue heroic MANHOOD that can one day
build cities or railways or whiten the seas
with sails, and the next moment assume its
highest development Ia the discharge OF the
peTlous duties OF the ctizen-soldler. The
uniform graces the manly forn--from It's associa-
mn IL IL