The National tribune., 1885-06-25
THE STATUE OF LIBERTY.
Its Rpceptiou in New York Harbor.


On Friday, 18th inst, occurred at New York
the formal reception OF the Bartholdi statue of
Liberty Enlightening the World, )" which is to
be erected on a huge pedestal in New York
Harbor. The statue arrived two days pre-
viously on the French steamer Isere after
very long and tedious passage. The celebra-
tion was very successful affair. More impos-
ing street parades have often been seen, but
the naval pageant which moved up the harDor
was probably unprecedented in the history of
the country. The scene was of snrpassing bril-
liancy. The harbor was literally covered with
vessels Of every description. from the ponderous
men-of-war to the unpretentious tugs. The
flags of France and of the United States were
displayed from every possible point. The
whole city seemed to have turned ont to wit
ness the splendid spectacle. All the foreign
consulate offices had their colors out except one,
the German. which gave no sign of recognition
of day that celebrates the ancient friendship
between the United States and France, Ger
many's bitter foe.
The French man-of-war La Flore headed the
procession. Soon her gunners opened the salute
of honor by firing 21 guns in the short space of
81 seconds. Hardly had the smoke cleared
away from her deck when the United States
man-oi-war Omaha replied with a broadside.
Then the Alliance and the Powhatan fired their
guns. The guns of Fort Wadsworth thundered
out salute as the naval procession passed.
Such scene as was then presented had rarely
been witnessed in the bay. One hundred
steamers and yachts with flying flags and
streamers. crowded with people, followed the
Isere. The music of dozen bands foated out
over the water. While the war ships thundered
and the forts reechoed with booming guns the
guests ON the Atlantic shouted themselves
hoarse. The French officers of the Isere stood
on the quarter deck bowling to the salutes
which they heard on every side. All the way
the har until fhp head nf fha nrnpaccinn
had arrived off Bcdloe's Island, the shores of
New Jersey and Long Island resounded with
the crash of guns. 1t seemed like battle at
without the disastrous attendant circum-
stances. When the anchor of the Isere was at
length lowered and had obtained firm grip
there was more firing of cannon, blowing of
whistles and shouting of people.
The boat bearing the members Of the Ameri-
can committee and their guests, the officers of
the French navy, landed at the Battery. The
Mayor, Aldermen, Gen. Shaer and staff, the
Police Commissioners and other civic dignita-
ries were in waiting, and as Admiral Lacombe
stepped on shore the Mayor grasped him
warmly by the hand. Carriages were in wait
ing on the plaza and were occupied the first
by Mayor Grace, Rear-Admiral Lacombe, Gen.
Shaler and Frederick K. Coudert; the second
by President Sanger of the Board of Aldermen,
the commander of the Isere Brig Gen. Ward
and Senator Evarts In the other carriages
were different city officials and the officers of
the La Fiore and Isere and members of the
division and brigade stats. After fine mill
tary parade, participated in by the crack regi-
ments of New York, the guests were given
banquet at City Hall, with the usual fusillade
of speeches that are fired off on all such Occas-
ions The money to erect the pedestal has
nearly all been raised by voluntary contribu-
tions,-largeIy through the efforts of Mr.. Jos.
Pulitzer, of the New York World, and the
work will be begun at an early day.