The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1883-10-05
A GREAT MONUMENT.
The Statue Commemorative of the
! German Empire Unveiled.
Imposing Ceremonies in Presence OF
100000 Spectators.

The uniic1tion of Germany and the thir-
tenth anniversary of the taking of Strasburg
was celcbra ted by the unvelinH of the gigantic
statue of Gernania on the Niederwald, over
locking the town of Rudeshcim, on the Rhine
For several days past immense crowds of
visitors had been focking to the many
surrounding towns in order to secure accom-
modations Beside the very large army of
pr inces and princeSSes, the mayors of Ham
burg, Bremen and Lybeck, nearly every
prominent person connected with the military
and civic government of the empire were
present, and each division of the German
army was represented. There were asD
about -, 900 members of the Krieger Veren,
10000 members of various singing societies,
AMI 5000 Turner's. Outside of these organiza
lions the number Of sightscers was placed at
about 100000
The villages and castles along the Rhiuc
were illuminated at night, and bontires and
blue lights were burned on all the heights.
In the morning when the crowds and the
clubs marched out of the outlying towns,
with banners flying and bands playing,
gayly decorated fotila of steamers shrieSed
a welcome to til IN from the river. The road
between the Niederwald and Rudesheim was
lined with the veterans and the various other
other societies during the passage of the EN-
rercr, and thous ands of children, decorated
with garlands of vine leaves, bearing baskets
Of grapes and miniature wine casks, greeted
him.
On arriving at the base of the statue the
emperor met and greeted nearly all the Ger
man sovel eignS who gave their support to The
declaration OF the empire. Prince Bismarck
was absent On account of illness, and neither
King Louis of bavaria nor King Ch2res OF
Wurtemburg was present. The ceremonies
began about noon Icy the reading OF poetic
q iiress. followed by the performance of
!" Nm danket allie Colt :" by four military
bands. and an Grafton 10y the emperor, who
said:
'',Yhon Providence desires to signify its
VIII with regard to mighty events uron the
earth it selects the time, countries and in
stluncnts to accomplish its purpose. The
years 1870 and 1871 We're time when such
purpose was indicated. Our threatened
Germany arose i'll its love for the fatherand
as ore man, an with the princes at the head
stood in arms as the instrument. Tie Al
mighty conducted these arms after san9un-
airy conflicts from victory TO victory, and
united Germany takes its place in the history
of the world. Millions of hearts have raiset
tier prayers TO God and given Him humble
til lnks. praisirg Him for csteeming us worthy
of accomplishing His will Germany to the
Temotest tin'e desires to give constant ex
preston to this feeling of gratitude. In this
sense the monument standing before us was
erected. In the words SPOKEN at the laying
of the f0undation-stone. words which my late
father. after the wars of liberation OF 1913 to
1915. hequeathed in iron to posterity. | dedi-
cate this monument: TO the fallen
memorial. to tn living an acknowledgment,
to coming generations a source OF emulaticn.
Nav God vtuchsafc it.
When the emperor had concluded Her on
Schiliing. the sculptor, pulled the silken cord
coniining the folds of the banner, ard the
splendid S atue Of Germania was sauted by
salvos from he batteries at BinSen and on
the surrounding hills, the ringing of village
church bells, the steam whistles of the fotiBa
in the river and tie strains of the national
anthem sung by the whole vast assenblaSe
oftneople. .
The Crown Prince Frederick William, on
Eendei knee seized AM kissed the emperor's
hand, whercupon the father and son embrac G
AMI kissed ca h other repeatedly, amid ire
mcndoui oh, ering Emperor William then
sh Ok hands with General Won Moltlie.
After the cereu Ony the statue was in
srcctcd by the emparor and all the princes
The omleror repeatedly express Cd his thanks
to the committee having charge of the festi-
val fer their excellent arrangements. Upon
his return TO Rude. helm the EN-, error mot
with n hearty II ce ton from the people and
al the banquet drank to the prosi erity of the
tom.