Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-10-29

eral Albert LIE Faivre. NJ. Bartholdi was
deeply impressed by the spectacle.
On the water there had been active prep.
aration. The war vessels of the North At
lantic squadron lay al anchor of Liberty
Island in the bay. rainbow of colors wa,
sprung over the topmasts of each vessel
touching each masthead and dipping fore and
att. The tri colored flag floated from the
staff of the BROOKLYN pier of the big bridge,
while on the top of the New York tower was
the stars and stripes
The formation of the marine part of the
parade began on the Hudson river, opposite
West 35th street, at an early hour, but owing
to foggv weather il was after o'clock before
the signal gun for the start was fired AT
this time there were probably 100 vessels
drawn up in two divisions. The first was
composed of large steamers and the second
of tugs and smaller vessels. Some of those
were beautifully decorated with flags and
bunting. U. 5. steamer Despatch lay off
West 23d street, and as a column of boats
approached, President Cleveland arrived with
his suite and prepared to 60 on board as the
guns fred Presidents sa ute.
Halt was ordered until the Dispatch got
under way, when with a loud blast of whistles
the column of boats followed on behind
toward the statue. The military and civic
organizations proceeded down Broadway to
Mail street, where they turned into Park
Row and past the World building. They
then moved past the Herald office to lower
Broadway where they were disbanded. The
procession was greeted with enthusiastic
cheers all through the line of march
Accompanying the Presidential party and
French delegation on the reviewing stand
were members of the diplomatic corps, Lieut.
General Sheridan. Gen. Schofeld and staff,
Gov. Hill, Gen Durgea, Admiral Luce and
staff, Judges Brown and Benedict, ex Mayor
Wickham, j. Parker, Gen. Daniel Z. Sickles
and General Ingalls,.
The lower part of Broadway, Battery Park
and the wharves were covered with the
throng. The procession pushed its way and
the first TO embark for Bedloes Island was
the Goth regiment Other organizations fol-
lowed quickly and the heavily loaded vessels
pushed off cne after another. The river and
bay were covered with gaily decked crafts of
every size and shape The men-of-war were
anchored in a line off the Island. The favor
te position was in front of the great statue
and here the vessels gathered in an almost
compact mass, leaving barely room for the
various steamers to land the invited guests at
the wharf
o'clock. and filing through the mist clambcred
upon the platforms assigned to them. Now
and then the explosion of gun was heard
with the impatient shrek of steamboat
whistles, cheers and music. Finally came
the boom of the signal gun and the sailors
manned the yards of the war ships. The
President and his party were taken from the
Despatch to the wharf in a little steam Yacht,
being greeted with cheers from the boats
nearest by. No sooner had he landed when
the salutes began. The battery nearly at
liberty's feet being answered bv the war ships
and the heavy guns on Governors Island.
At the same moment every steam whistle
in the fleet began to loot and the mist settled
down more thckiy than ever The pedestal
of the statue, the fort and platforms for spec
tators were bright with flags and streamers,
the tr-color of France dividing honors with
the star spangled banner Over the face of
Liberty was drawn large French flag. The
balcony from which addresses were given
was reserved for the Presidents party, the
French visitors and speakers. The French
men were cheered as they arrived and mod
estlv took their places. The 22nd Regiment
band, led by Gilmore, played "Marsellaise"
and other popular airs.
After a long delay, all the dignitares being
titude to order. lie was only partly success
full and the exercises were disturbed at inter-
walls BY rude footing of whistles on the water
Finally Rev. DR.. Storrs was called on and
prayed that "Thou, who enablest man to
mould the metal and make lightning his SER
want will accept the dedication of this monu
ment to Thee. and that here it may continue
untouched by tempest, its munition of rocks
not shaken by earthquake, while the waters
encircle it a.d Light of morning returns to
greet it, we pray that liberty which it rep
resents may continue to enlighten with bene-
ficient instruction and to bless with majestic
and wide benediction, the nations which have
part in this work of reknown; that it may
stand a symbol of perpetual concord betw ee n
them and that walking in the paths of knowl-
edge and freedom they may constantly ad-
vance in the wisdom of their council in the
magnanimous enterprise and in the noble and
in the salutory arts which are cherished by
peace"
Ferdinand De Lessps then made brief
presentation speech in behalf of the Franco
American union. He spoke of the concep-
ton of the statue, the work of the committee,
of which be was a member, to bring the mat
ter to the attention of the French govern
ment, the popular contribution to the cost of
founding the work and its final departure on
the Izere.
Senator Evarts followed: ,"What orna-
ments of Speech" he said, "what eloquence
of human voice. what costly gifts of gold,
frankincense and myrrh of our hearts tribute
can we bring to the celebration Of this con-
summate triumph Of genius, of skill, of lab
or. which speaks today and will speak for
ever, the thoughts, feeling, aud friendships
of these two populous, powerful and free re-
publics knit together in their pride and joy at
their own established freedom, and in their
hope aud purpose that the glad light of liberty
shall enlighte n the world" After appropri-
ate allusions TO the friendly relations which
have existed between the United States and
the libertyloving people of France, he paid a
high compliment to the 'great sculptor.
Bsrtholdi," eulogized the principles which
the statute represents and reviewed briefly
the circumstances attending the statues ac-
ceptance and reception in this country.
The address was cut short by the prema-
ture unveiling of the statue. the wrong cue
being taken as a signal for the ceremony.
The senator accepted the situation gracefully,
however, and retired.
The unveiing was one of the prettiest and
most perfect features of the day. The cor
uers of the veil were unloosened and huttered
for a moment in the breeze. when the whole
flag was drawn up through the opening in
tiara. disappearing as if by magic into the
forehead of the statue. Then the dignifed
features of the Goddess appeared to the null
titude, the fog having lifted.
For a moment the din of cannons and
W whistling was renewed, a salute of guns being
fred on Bedloes Island, to which war ships