Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-01-14
THE ERECTION OF THE HENRY
STATUE


| Suggestions rs to the Proper Ceremonies
| ON the Occasion.
| To the Editor of THE EVENING SrAa:
| On the LIST of June, 1880, an act was passed by
congress providing for aStatue Ia bronze OF Joseph
| Henry. late secretary OF the Smithsonian Institi-
ton, TO be erected upon the grounds OF said nst-
tuition, selecting Mr.. w w. Story, SCULPTOR as the
artist and appropriating $4,000 for the entire eX-
penSe OF the statue, foundation and pedestal.
Under this act Mr.. Story proceeded with the WORK,
and we understand that the statue Will soon be
finished and that it will be ready for erection in
| Washington in the com ing spring
| 1t is proper, therefore, that public attention
should be called to the fact, AMI that some elton
be taken TO proyf lie for suitable ceremonies on the
occasion Of the unveiling OF the statue.
! Congress, ior the iirSt time, has aon0red civil
| ian by such statue to be placed in the public
parks Of the capital AMI designated the artist for
| the execution of the work.
The unveling OF the statue Is then asSuredlv
grand opportunity to emphasize this tribute to the
| great representative OF American science, by a
popular demonstration in Washington, worthy OF
| the city, the nation and the occasion.
As honor has been paid to the memory OF Henry
by the services in the Capitol the 10th Of Janu-
| airy, 1879. the ceremonies at the unveiling of the
statue should relate not so much to the merits OF
| the man, as to a national and perhaps an inter-
national homage to science and recognition of its
| benefits to humanity.
Government has expended large sums to cele-
| brate the erection OF statues TO our military and
naval heroes and it is believed will not hesitate to
do as much on this civic OCCASION and enable the
teachers, inventors, scientists and artists to as
| semble in Washington in grand convocaton to
recall the achievements OF mind over matter in
the past, to illustrate the triumphs OF genius I'm
the present, and to point to still greater wonders
and progress in the future.
The nature OF the celebration will be governed
by consideration OF the character, achievements
and relations Of the person whose memory is hon.
| ored. A few hints may therefore not be inappro-
PIRATE. Henry was a diScOre1er and inrentor. 1t
| is unnecessary to refer even to his numerous con-
tributions to science ip these capacities They are
known everywhere, and are now fully recognized
May not all others who have added to the sum of
human knowledge, or who have devised improve
ments In the arts of life consider this fitting
cast0n to come together for mutual acquaintance
and conference?
Henry was a teacher, both in private and public
schools, professor In college, president of the
American Association for the Advancemento OF iu-
cation and spent most OF his life as an educator
Let the faculties of all our colleges, superintend-
ents and boards OF education and teachers every
where be invited to Washington on this occasion.
Let the publicSchOOl children turn out nlaSSe and
with chorus and anthem demonstrate their rever-
ence for one who dill so much for this city, and
maine Is inscribed on tne lateot
posing school building we have erected.
Henry was president of the National Academy
OF Sciences, and at the head of numerous
other scientific bodies, all OF which should
have prominent place In the celebration. Henry
was 1neteoroEogiI and originator OF the system
of weather predictions now extensively carried
on by the government and OF such value to the
community. The large corps OF observers con-
nected with the Smi thsonian Institution, and the
SIGNAL service n arm no IN
vited to special posts OF honor Henry was me-
cfd1ttc In early life a jewelers. apprentice after
wards he carried the rod and chain a surveyor.
He was president OF the mechanics Institute OF
this city and gave much time and labor to the pro-
motion OF its interests and the OF its fairs
There would be nothing inappropriate in the me-
chantcS and artisans taking an active part in
doing honor to one who rose from the hum
blest ranks to the most exalted honor philoao-
phef and scholar AS the friend and patron of
art and one OF the first trustees OF the CorcOran
Art Gallery, he would be entitled to the presence
or artists, but tlfS would be Still more gratifying
and appropriate as the tribute his brother artists
would pay to the triumph OF the distinguished
sculptors genius whose name viii be prominent
on this occasion. Poets, painters SculptOrS and
authors viii rejoice in the opportunity to do honor
to Story as well as Henry.
Henry was member of the ancient order OF
Free and Accepted MoSonS, and this organization
Will be fully represented.
Henry was a Christian, member of the
Christian ASSocf alton, for many years vice preSi-
dent OF the American sunday School Union, the
American BiDle Society, and an officer OF various
religious AMI benevolent organizations. Though
member OF the PreSby terrain church. he was loved
and confiled In by members and ministers of all
denominations, and the children OF our Catholic
orphan asylums were called out TO attend his
funeral religious tone should therefore be
given to the ceremonies, In distinction from the
aSnoSuc or Skept1cal one supposed 10 belong TO
scientists.
Henry was, however, not narrow-minded man
In religion or science He was a cosmopolitan.
HIS views as to the management OF the SmithSon
trust were as broad and liberal the world itself,
and he was as much appreciated abroad at
nome ID an especial manner should the great
lights OF European science be invited to America
to add luster to this occasion and to meet their
workers Cd this side OF the Atlantic.
AS to the kind OF celebration, l throw out few
hints for consideration and development or modi-
fcatiOn
An address might be delivered by the Presi-
dent OF the United States, an Grafton by one Of
the leading Swans of Europe, an ode by one of
our own poets, an anthem by choir and orchestra,
a procession, &c. At night there should be the
grandest display OF electric lights and pyrotech-
leaux might be produced by inventors and other
classes OF most interesting and attractive his
| tOrlcal and artistic character
Why should there not also be an exhibition of
the instruments and apparatus Of research and
discovery in light, heat, sound, electricity and
VIII furnish suitable place which can be used for
| TINS purpose or for any part of the celebration.
AS TO the general arrangements for the celebra-
tion it clearly belongs to Congress to take the
| intiatory steps. Having ordered the statue it
should undoubtedly to it that it is presented TO
|
| manner.
| The time should be in June, as the statue will
| not be ready before then, and this would secure
| the largest attendance of strangers Congress
would be In session, and ample time be given for
preparation.
Having called attention to the subject, trust
our citizens viii see its importance even in local
point Of view, and will contribute additional Sug-
geStionS to secure the success OF the enterprise.
w. j. II.
| PLEASANT MASONIC AFFAIR.-At the regular
! communication OF New Jerusalem Lodge. No 8,
| =. A. A. NJ, held at their room. Masonic Temple,
Thursday evening last, the following officers were
| inst ,lled by Most WOrShpful Grand Master Noble
ID. Larher, assisted by Past Master j. Ii. Jochum,
| actng as master OF ceremonies viz: w. c. Denni-
| son, VIM; NJ. O'COnner, S.W.; Harrison Dngman,
| J.W.; Edward III. Chamberlin. secretary, and Robt
| V. Goldman treasurer. After the inst ilIaton SER
| vices the master introduced to the lodge W.
Brother John II. Allen, master OF ST. Cecile Lodge
| NO. 5ts, OF the city OF New York, VINO, in a lew
well chosen words, presented TO Past Master Fred
| ertck Widows, OF New Jerusalem Lodge a certi-
1lcate or honorary membership in St Cecile Lodge,
the same being very finely executed by Mr.. Fred.
| Hess, OF the American News company, an eX-
perirnced penman, OF New York. and beautifully
| framed Brother widows was taken somewhat
| by surprise, and responded very feelngy Tor the
| compliment St Ceclle Lodge was organized Feb