The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1885-07-15


The beautiful statue is a gift from the
people of France to the people of the
United States The French paid for the
statue, the people of the United States are
to pay for the pedestal upon which the
statue is to stand. The poor people of
France, the working men and women gave
their little subscriptions all over the coun-
try, until what they paid in amounted to
1000, 900 francs, $500, 0o0 That was what
the figure cost. The pedestal will probably
cost as much as that by the time it is fin
ished. The common people of the United
States are giving their money to pay for the
PEDESTAL doing their part just as the work
ingInen and women of France did theirs
School children are helping with their nick
els, and dimes and quarters, too. Thous-
ands of grown people have given 81 apiece.
The money was not raised as soon as it
ought to have been, which is not much to
our credit. The prospect is now, though,
that the sum needed will be obtained before
long.
More than century ago there was great
friendship between the two nations. While
the United States was struggling to gain its
Independence from Great Britain the Mar
quis de Lafayette, brave and noble young
Frenchman, came across the sea with some
friends and offered his sword to Gen Wash
ington to help fight the battles of our
revolution. That was in1777, 108 years ago.
Lafayette was only 10 years old then, but
he was made major general in our army
before he was 20. Indeed, he was very far
advanced for his age in most things, for he
was married when he was 16 He and his
countrymen helped us in the darkest hours
of our history, and Americans must never
forget that. We must always think of the
gallant French nation with gratitude.
A few years ago there died a famous and
gifted Frenchman named Edouard Labou-
laye. He was known among his country
men as the friend of America. He admired
a free government above everything else
and thought that France and the United
States, both being republics should
hang together and help each other and be
friends through thick and thin So thus
they could strengthen themselve against
monarchical governments. He was the one
who first thought of a monument which
should commemorate the friendship of the
two republics. An association was formed
to carry out the plan. Bartholdi, the
sculptor, visited America to find the best
place for the monument to stand.
Probably the most beautiful first view of
this country that can be presented to a
stranger is New York bay and harbor on a
clear day. The approach is very noble
one. The Bile sky, the clear air, the shining
waters the hundreds Of steamers and sail
ing vessels all about, and beyond the long
Brooklyn bridge and the miles of shore
lined with towering buildings, make fine
sight, and one not to be forgotten Bar
tholdi saw it as he came up the beautiful
bay in daylight, and thus, before he had ever
set foot on Land, he said to himself:
Here is the place for my statue"
The United States government owns the
little islands In New York harbor. Among
them is Bedloe's island. Congress passed an
act presenting to the statue committee
enough ground on this island to set up the
goddess For several years they have been
working at the pedestal as fast as money
came in with which to do anything.
The first picture shows the statue conn
plete. Ire picture below shows the pedestal
Just as it looks now.