Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-11-08
THE DUMAS MONUMENT.
The Eulogistic Speech Of Edmund
About at the Unwilling at
Paris Sunday.
4 Just Tribute Paid 10 thS
Memory and Works of the
Prince of NOVelists.
speelal % oourler.Journal.

PARIS, November Sat the inau-
guration Of the Dumas monument
Edmund About made the following
speech:
This statue, which would have
been solid gold had all whom Dumas
has instructed and fascinated contrib
uted one centime each, is that OF a
great mailman, who, in his gayety,
possessed more real wisdom than all
Of us nut together. 1t represents an
irregularity who refuted rules, man
Of pleasure who could set an example
to all men who labor, lover ofamor-
Gus, political and military adventures
who outshines alone more than three
monasteries of Benedictines. 1t is
the portrait Of a prodigal, who, after
having wasted millions Of every kind
Of generosity, left, without knowing it
princely heritage. This smiling
face is that Of an egotist who deEoteI
his whole life to his mother, chill
dren, friends and country. 1t il
portrait Of a weak, easy.goint
father, who has the rare gooC
fortune to sec himself continued il
one Of the most illustriousr one o.
the best Of men ever applauded BY
Frenchmen. His works will be read
longer than his comedies or dramas
will be acted-ior a century more
These stories, whose plot never wea
ries, whose style is as limped as spring
water, and a dialogue sparkling as
green wood in a fire, will be the
delight OF young people, the consOla
ton Of the sick and the entertainment
of the Preside. They recall the happy
time when the great political journals
competed with each other in fueille-
tons, when the leading article was
merely a side dish, France being more
deeply interested in D'Artagnan OF
Edmund Dantes than in Duvrgier OF
De Hauranne and GuizOt. 1t was the
golden age Of the novel, the reign Of
Dumas the first, who was a good king,
for be exercised his power only
against publishers and editors,
to tie great benefit Of his con
freres. Perhaps even he went too far
for want Of acquaintance with figures.
They handed him over to usurers and
bailifs. But Dumas was not the man
to be disturbed by triAes. He worked
for his creditors as he had worked for
his friends, mistresses and parasites.
Good nature composed three quarters
Of his bOisterous, effervescing genius.
Beneath the good writer, who will
soon rank as a classic, you will find
the good Frenehman. He loved his
country above everything; loved it in
the present and in the past, without
sacrificing aught to party spirit. No
body ever spoke o. Louis XIV
with greater respect, Of Marie An
toinette with greater pity, Of Bona
parte with greater admiration, than
this pronounced Republican. He
was the popularizer Of our his
tory. He deserved better
favor Of fate, which made him
die at the end Of the terrible year
which severed him from France with
Alsace and Lorraine and wrapped
him like conquered hero, in the
national banner Of mourning. His
literary glory is E patriotic glory, aud
we see his statue,i the first obtained
in France by a simple novelist, muster
round it the elite OF all parties. This
free thinker religiously respected the
faith Of others; this jOvial companion
diffused nothing but good principles;
preached nothing but sound morality.
We therefore see the sdherents Of all
confessions, the philosophers of all
schools, absOlve the veuial deviations
Of bis life aud his pen. He never dis,
played hatred or vengeance; he was
mercilul, generous toward his worst
enemies, and he has therefore left
nothing but friends Such is the
moral Of this ceremony"