New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-05-22
MARTIN LUTHER'S FAME.
HIS STATUE IN THE AMERICAN CAPITAL.
IT Is uxvRrLRp-Ay GRAFTON BY SENATOR coNGEE


AND ONE BY DIR. MORRIS, OF BALTIMORE.
WAsHNGTOy, May 21.-At the base of ono of the
triangular reservations which surround the Thomas
Circle in the northwest quarter OF this city stands
the Lutheran Memorial Church. modest, tasteful,
ivy-clad structure of uncut brown stone IN front OF
| which, ilst within the acute apex OF the triangle,
is the site of the colossal bronze statue OF Martin
Luther unveiled to-day. The statue and to-day's
ceremonies are the utgrOwth of suggestions first
made in New-York three or four years ago, in an
ticipation of the observance Of Luthers 4O0th
birthday anniversary lastNOvember; but the move
ment did not take practical shapen season for that
occasion. The placing of the statue in this city
was first successfully Charles A. Schlern, OF New
York, and the idea being warmly seconded by the
Rev Dr. j. G. Butler, pas or of the Lutheran con-
| grcgatOn of Washington, an association was
formed last year of persons living in New-York,
! Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington to raise
money for the statue and direct its progress. Tho
| money has been contributed from all parts Of the
| country and the work is that of the Lutheran
! Church Of the whole Nation.
The unwilling ceremonies began at . o'clock, and
were presided over by Associate-Justice Miller, of
the United States Supreme Court. rallied plat
form with seating room for several hundred people
had been erected around the foot Of the pedestal
for the accommodation of members of the Statue
Association, cergymcn and guests, and in its CEN
tire an awning decorated with bunting Afforded
shelter from the sun to the orators. Fine weather
drew together large concourse of townspeople.
Long liucs of carriages occupied the streets The
exercises began with music by the Marine Band.
"Ihe Heavens are Telling" followed by prayer
and the reading of the history of tie statue.
GRAFTON BY SENATOR CONGER.
The opening Grafton by Senator Congcr of Mich
igan, was as follows:
We stand in the presence OF the yelled statue Of
who dwe upon the earth 400 years ago whose influence
and hOnors have spread from the hamlet Of his nativity
in th heart of Germany Gdown the waters OF time IN
T"rld Fnmr ccatres from teS date of his brth 5000
miles from the OF his labor on the borders OF
continent then undiscovered in the capital OF wonder
ful Nation then unborn, gather from far and near
around the monument OF Martin Luther. wrought in en-
during bronze from the mines OF Germany mou dcd by
the skul artisans OF his f4tberland, aud trans
ported intervening land aud to stand amidst the
other memorials of patriotism and yeneralon nat ador2
beautiful city and stimulate the faith and virtue OF
unnumbered citizens OF this commonwealth. Justice
Miller OF the supreme Court presldes over me ceIeno
ncs senator's and Representatives in Congress. bring the
ssyeToI states ministers OF eli cresds and Christians Of
common faith, and all who desire the regeneration and
cXatatiOn OF the human race, who demand complete toll
panson OF Intellectual vigor, who hope for perpetual
here TO render their tribute respect 10 the memory OF the
great efomer and to dedicate his enduring monument
border of circle already adorned with splendid
OF one OF our most iliustrioIs soldier heroes.
MARTIN LUTHER's SURROUNDINGS.
Surrounded 10y such scenes thrilled by such memories
sl5dued by tho mysterious influence Of such life and
character, the proudest and most screlant OF us all
must leave unanswered the perpeualy recurring Inquiry
What has he done, ths peasant boy OF Eseben This
sweet singer OF Eisenbich This young Augustinian
monk Of Erfurt This secluded prisoner of WaItbuTgl
This proesscrn the University or Wtemburg TINS re
former of Germany This loved and vcneraed apostle Of
done to have won and worn the high esteem the ardent
affection the more than imperial honors and worldwide
memory in the hearts of succeeding generations long
time enduresl -. Ia IMAGINATION We may revisit
imagery Of the land and the people where be dWe You
VIII the dark Thnrngian forest Of ssKoDy its gloomy
woods OF fir and pine, with mysterious
the Wild hnntsman dasbinc along it, mountain crests;
the spectral rider sounding his horn in pursuit OF tho
deer.
Ey midnight moons
DER moiseRing dews!
In ycstincnts Of the chase arrayedl
The hunter still;
The deer pursIes!
The hunter and the deer-a shade.
In the eorees Of the mountains are DARK mines and
guarding the of the earth aud the Of the
nine all real and terrible that peasant bOyOt Eiseben
as well as to all the jewellers in That mysterious region
What marvel that his mind was filied with images OF
what marvel that he would crush deyIl with his ink
stand and would 60 10 the supreme trial at Worms,
though he believed the devils thick tiles tho
houses-n Gods name he would 20 on.
In the villages aud gardens OF the beautiful valleys
fruits aud flowers and singing BIRDS ana lauehlng
children and nlra sport. and bands Of singing youths,
then 5 the children Of music aud OF song what
marvel that Luther' heart was fun OF music aud his
voice OF sOngi That he wrote hymns and songs
ard set then to and % music ,b tar Sss all MS
electric speed from hrobbng human hearts to the ear OF
One il forever touched with inmltie and who
hath borne the infinite sorrows Of our race
In all that German land were the pure, cheers Saxon
homes the loving TeuUnlc families the yirtuOs matrOn
aud maid What marvel then mat the priest, when
casting aside the doctrine Of Pspsl supremacy and the
Romsh ritual, should likewise reject monkish ceOacy
and the nuns secluslou and restore to the ministry the
sacred relations o. the family and TO me nun the endea-
or by chance had occasional opPoftunies TO study me
Latin bible IN tho monastery al Eriurt, and learned tho
marvellous treasures which were uureyealed ia the
German language aud aluost unknown to
the Latin scholar, whether layman or priest,
OF Wartburg became II. most INDUSTRIOUS sshooI
OF the prophets" whence issued from his glow
word OF life, but also perennial fountain Of pure
German literature, which has more than anything el,e
preserved alike the faith and the language Of the leu
tonic races
LurHEEs TINES AND MANS CONDITION.
There are aside from the spiritual experiences and
gOus struggles and riunphs Of this stawart cham
pon truth many things in the history OF the times in
which he lived, and the condition OF the nations of the
earth and the state of human society, and tho mental
and spiritual awakening which about those days spread
over the world. that demand the consideration Of those
gress OF the opening years OF the sixteenth century
Before that time the arr Of printing had been invented
had driven alike TIE spiritual and temporal powers Of
Chrstendom from Asia aud from parts " Europe. The
blsh0pc Of Alexandria I'm all Arabia, in all the region of
thu wonderful cities beyond jordan, in tho Holy Land
itself The niDarets Of ISLAM tOwegeG above the founda-
tons Of the sacred temple and the Christian cIcpt In
abec disguise to weep by night near the place OF his
Redeener's scpuchre Ia Antioch. where they were nrst
named the Christian unknown la all the land OF
the Churches the religion OF Mahomc had absolute
sway. The Turk passed the Ielespon and the Empire
OF Constantine bOtted out. Greece and HaccdOn
yielded TO to the False Prophet and the Mose cry of
the mueZZis echoed along the shores OF the Danube
to the gates Of Vienna. The most beautiful part OF
Spain had been long the conquest Of Moorish MaL0n-
etapsm Indeed the ChrsendOm Of the early centuries
had been driven from ASA and Africa and Eastern
Europe until itH frontier welnigh beyond the lands
of apostolic visitation. While fiery zeal was
kinded III The breasts of the deuded followers OF Ma
hOmet infinite lehargy benumbed the Disciples OF
the Cross The Church, after spasnOdc crsades To re-
liz IInIu