Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-06-29
Nhe SIRE Aress.
COMMENCEMENT.
CONTINUED from third page.)

4 IN whom he entrusted the commission. Il
| will now ask Mr.. Ward to unvcil tie ID
-ta,ue of Lafayette. t,
At this point the flags which had hither- Il
10 covered the statue were torn away, II
and the stately proportions of this magniii-
cent work of art were disclosed to the gaze i
4 the eager thousands surrounding AS the !
unveing took place an artillery salute was a
fired the military presented arms to the d
statue and the cheers of the audience rent the
air. Resu,ning his remarks Mr.. Dawson
sid;
Mr. Howard selected the work Of ert which
you sec before you, not only to adorn these
grounds, but TO commemorate the fact that
the corner stone Of the main building OF Inc
University was laid by Lafayette on the occa-
sion of his memorable visit to this country IN
the years 1S24-25. 1t seemed to Mr. Howard
that this was an event worthy OF permanent
memorial This fact in the history oil your
University is quite unique nor do know OF
any other literary institution 10 the country
which has any historic association however
remote, with the visit OF Lafayette
except the highly respectable college
in The State of Pennsylvania whic
was founded in that year, and 10
which the name of Lafayette was given
by its founders, las Il testimony Of respect
for his talents, virtues and original services III
the great cause of freedom.
The statue, as you will perceive Is In
civic costume. Lafayette was a civilian
and statesman, as well as soldier and II
seemed more in harmony with these AGA
demc surroundings, That he should he thus
represented.
1t would be quite out place for me
in view of the simple office have to perform
on this occasion, to enter upon any eulosluni
of Lafayette or to speak of his distinguished
services to the American people and the
cause of human freedom. That task Will De
volve upon another, much more qualified
than myself But cannot forbear referring
to the fact. that while the splendid capitol OF
the Republic OF France which contains the
mortal remains of Llfsyctte hes no monu-
ment such as this to his memory, the CONNER
cial metropolis of this western world, ms
newer land hut Older Republic, has 10 one OF
its most commanding centres, the statue OF
LAFAYETTE side hy side with that of Washing-
ton. while here to-day, under the shadows OF
these mountains and by the shores OF the
lake which bears the name OF another dlstln-
gushed Frenchmnn, We erect this memorial
10 commemorate his virlu and illnsrlous
services. Other like memorials will doubt.
less hereafter be erected TO attest the grateful
recollection of the American people, but
there is no spot throughout our broad
land, where such statue as this could
find a more fitting place, than here on
the soil of Vermont from whose mountains
and valleys so many went forth 10 the Rev
dictionary era, 10 10 battle side by side with
Lafayette, iu the great cause OF American
independence.
1t is matter of profound regret that Mr..
Howard is not here with us to-day to partcl'
i. .l.., IL N
is in the hearts of all present who love tho
university, and are interested in its prosper,
ity. As long as yonder ediiloe, rebuilt and
bea,lified by his generosity shall crown TINS
rlnincnce. and rs long as this statue sha
;ldorn these grounds, these and the other
generous gifts of Mr.. Howard TO the univcr
slty will. | doubt not, give him lasting
place in your grateful memories. l think sIl
| represent him most truly when say thai
i, is his sincere wish that the university may
prosper in Ike future more abundantly thar
in the past-that it may attach to itsei
more and more the generous bene
factions of those who love the caust
of sound learning, and that as there have
gone back from the walls Of the University
in the past, so there may so forth in all ,li'
future, aud in increasing numbers, thos'
who shall do honor TO their alma mater snt
who shall bless the State ard nation, yield
luz " II, II uttti bti III 'ht i"uts-" -
President Lincoln at Gettysburg, the LAS
measure of devotion" as some Of your SON
have already done.
Nlr. President, | take great pleasure OF
behalf Of Mr.. Howard in now presenting
to The University of Vermont through you
its honored head, the statue of Lafayette.
To this fine, scholarly and eloquent addrcs
President Buckham responded us follows:
President Buckhams Address.
In behalf of the trustees of the university
return thanks to you, sir, and through you t.
the generous benefactor whom you represent
for this truly noble gift. You say that i
gives you great pleasure to make the prcsen
tatiou; | can well believe you knowing as
do how much interest you have taken IN ,hi
work how much solcitude you have mani
tested IN its progress and how happy yot
must be in now seeing it stand before US II
its complete and impressive beauty. If Mr.
Howard could not present it in person. HI
could not have delegated more welcome
representative
1t would be presumptuous to pass a cili
cal judgment on work of this kind in tn
first moments of its unwilling. What ha
cost the artist years to produce, we may no
easily even admire But as Mr.. Ward |
too modest to allow me to present him I
the audience and to address hin
in person, let me say to hr
.h'ouSn you '"al aii Uui PioPo":e'9iono al
toward admiration. Ills very hign repu,a
ton and the prolonged and profound stud
bo 10 knoun 10 have ,;vor IN tLis y,orI Loo.
W 10 hno"n " nav SnIn W 'ni' "o'n' 80
us 10 expect tnat II VIII De one Oh Tue Srea
works of his life and that is the same as say
;no ona 90 ,ho crroo,ast ,,orts of Arurio.
ns ohe Vi '"' S''"'0'' WINS VI AA'.''1'
ART
The pedestal itself is work of art. STAND
ina hora h.forn our ev.o for mopths mast
rs 49, . ~ eJt ~ 80 r., ,
mas Already called lOftn our earnest luunhS