The Portland daily press., 1885-06-08
THE PILGRIM.
Unveiling of Wards Statue in
Central Park, New York City.
Description Of the ScuIptOr's Work.

NEW YORK, June 6.-Two hundred and
twenty 7th regiment veterans, commanded by
COL Winchester and led by Cappa's band
and zoo of the New York New England
Society, headed by President Stewart L.
Woodford, ex-Judge Horace Russell and Cor
neiius W. Bliss, formed in line at Nineteenth
street and Madison avenue this afternoon
about o'clock. The body moved toward the
Seventy-second street entrance to Central
Park, passing Gen. Grants residence in Sixty
sixth street. The general sat by the window
of his room and bowed his Acknowledgements
to the salute offered him by the paraders DIR.
Douglas and Rev. DR.. Newman stood near the
general. Mrs. Grant, Mrs. Fred Grant and
the latter's children witnessed the procession
from the parlor pindows. 1t was about so
o'clock when the line reached Central Park.
Entering the Seyenty-second street entrance,
1t marched about two hundred feet, and the
gentlemen took up positions about knoll just
to the .northward OF the drive Already
crowd OF many thousand ladies and gentle-
men had assembled at the spot. The drives
were filled with carriages, and the walks in
every direction were crowded with the fashion
able people OF the town. The occasion was
that of the unveiling of the pilgrim statue. At
the elevation upon which the statue is erected
facing the west, two large platforms capable
OF seating 1000 people, had been put up. One
of these was reserved for the band, the New
York Chorus Society, the Amphion Society OF
Brooklyn and the veterans; the other covered
WIFI OulI6O Ob8bBS udgS, was occupied DV the
members OF the New England Society, invited
guests and members of the press. The sun shone
all its brilliancy and warmth, and made the
in people uncomfortable. Not breath of air
stirred the little lake near by. But the throng
remained interested spectators of tho cere-
monies.
When the exercises began there were seated
among others, beneath the flags on the speak
er's platform, the following eminent persons:
Ex-President Chester a. Arthur, David Dud-
ley Field, A. L. Sanger, president of the board
OF aldermen Park Commissioner Crimmins,
Rev. Drs Gotttel, Jacobs, Arthur Brooks and
Lawrence Jewett, Mayor Low of BROOKLYN,
Surrogate Daniel G. Rollins, Miles Stsndish,
VIM. Dowd. ex-Alderman Wendell, Nathan
Appleton of the Boston, w. w. Whieldon of
the Concord, and Rev. Charles s. Vedder OF
the Charlestown New England societies.
Gen. Woodford called the assembly to order
and introduced Assistant Bishop Henry @.
Potter, who offered prayer. Then the singing
Fathers" after which President Beekman of
the board of park commissioners delivered
brief address of welcome. He said:
We are here to-day not to commemorate the
greatness or virtue of an individual, but to honor
the type of race which has played an important
part in forming the political structure of great
nation, in developing the natural resources of a
great country, and in establishing accomplish
ed fact the great principle that orderly
government and national greatness may
coexist with the largest measure of
pSAsOhal uuerby. we welcome the beautiful
memories of the Puritan, not only for itself but
also as token that in the union of the children
sectionalism has disappeared, and the virtues and
excellencies of the adventurous men who first
peopled this country have become common in
heritance.
After this address, j. Q. A. Ward, the
sculptor, unveiled the statue, and the band
played an old Puritan melody.
Tbs figure stands on a granite pedestal 1t
represents a typical pilgrim, clad in the
quaint costume of his time, leaning upon an
old fashioned hintt lock gun and gazing to-
ward the west, as if in search of a foe. The
face, while solemn in expression, is far from
ascetic. The figure is of bronze, and of much
bstter workmanship than that of any other
statue in the park.
Daniel E. Appleton, as chairman of the
statue committee, presented the gift to the
New England Society in a few well chosen
words Gen. Woodford accepted it in three
minute speech, and transferred it to the city Of
New York. In the necessary absence of the
Mayor. Alderman Sanger accepted it. The
Pilgrim chorus from 81. Lombardi'' was sung
and played, and the event of the day followed.
This was George William Curtis commemora-
tive address. Mr.. Curtis had never appeared
TO better advantage. His speech was scholar.
ly aud brillisnt, and in delivery effective. He
was many times interrupted by applause.
After the Grafton the great crowd dispersed.