The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-11-27
THE WASHINGTON STATUE.
Unveiling the Mem rial-Breef Speech by
President A. thur.

Unveiing the Mem .rial-Breef Speech by
President Arthur.
New YORK. Nov. 26-The uhveiling of the
statue of George Washington, on the steps
OF the sub-treasury, was attended by bril-
liant company, including the President of
the United States the members of his cabi-
net, the mayors of New York and Brooklyn,
Bishop Potter, Rev. DR.. Storrs, Collector
Robertson and William NJ Evarts.
George W. Lane, president of the Cham
Der of Commerce, opened the ceremonies
with brief address, speaking of the assoca-
tons connected with the spot.
Rev. DR.. Storrs made a short prayer after
which Royal Phelps, on behalf of the statue
committee of the Chamber of Commerce, pre-
sented his report to President Lane.
Governor Cleveland then unveiled the
statue, and, after the cheering had subsidized,
President Lane turned to President Arthur
and said that. as president of the Chamber OF
Commerce, the pleasant duty devolved on
him of rendering, through President Arthur,
to the government of the United States, the
custody of this statue of WASHINGTON, erected
by the citizens OF New York pursuant to the
act of Congress TO commemorate his taxing
the oath OF office on this spot as the first
President President Arthur, replying said:
"Mr President and fellow-citiZens-lt is
fitting that other lips than mine should give
voice to the sentiments of pride and pleasure
which this occasion cannot fail TO
inspire in every breast. To myself has been
assigned but slight part in the days serv-
ices, and shall not exceed its becoming
limits | have come to this historic spot,
where the first President of the republic
took the oath to preserve protect and de-
fend its constitution, simply to accept, IN be-
half of the government, this tribute to his
memory Long may the noble statue you
have here set up stand where you have
placed it. a monument alike to your own
generosity and public spirit. and to the wis
dom. virtue and genius OF the Immortal
Washington"
THE STATUE.
The statue of Washington is the work OF
John @. A. Ward The figure is OF colossal
size, being about thirteen feet six inches in
height. and weighs {, $40 pounds. The pedes-
tal ON which it stands is about six feet in
height. and what may be called the rostrum
on which the pedestal is placed is about
eight feet above the street level. This and
the pedestal were designed by Richard M.
Hunt
Washington, in the statne. is supposed to
be in the act of taking the oath OF office. The
left foot is slightly advanced, and the right
hand is extended. The left hand rests on the
hilt OF his sword. The figure is dressed in the
costume of the period-open coat, long waist
coat, knee breaches. Around the neck is the
old-fashioned cravat. Frills are displayed at
the shirt front, and ruffies at the wrists. The
body is erect, and the head is held high.
The features express calm dignity and power.
To the right OF the figure is a short column
of fasces on which rests an open Bible: A
military cloak hangs from the left shoulder
and partly conceais the left arm, afiording a
mass Of drapery for back ground
The memorial stone on which Washing
ton stood when he took his first oath OF Office
as President, was put in position yesterday at
noon. The wagon on which it was conveyed
from the stone-yard to the sub-treasury
building was guarded by four policemen to
prevent It's demolition by INSCRIPTIONS
relic-hunters By means of derrick the
stone was neatly deposited in the cavity
which had been prepared for it on the ros-
trum, Immediately in front of the pedestal.
II projects slightly above the surrounding
surfape