New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-10-29
THE DAY 7HAT VAS CELEBRATED.

"
The elements evidently have secret lcagCe
Fair weather was all that was eeded few
years ago to render tie one-hundredth ami
versary of the British evacuation of New York
splendid fete. Instead of being favored
with the prOverbial Queens weather reserved
| for State occasions 10 England, the street par
ade and the naval review were condemned to
a genuine London experience Of drizzle and
fog. Rain began at the very hour when the
military colamn had been ordered to form and
env clipped with wet blanket the festivities of
the day. In like manner yesterday the ele-
ments were charitably disposed toward the I'M
fortunate Mother Country ant her symDathiz-
ers, living and dead. The exuberance of
American patriotism Mas repressed by leaden
sky, an impenetrable fog and 6tful dashes
of rain. The weather favored the uneasy
ghosts of the tme-servng Tories of Sir Henry
ClinlOn's day, If .any OF them still stirring
restlessly on their rounds. 1t tended to mti-
gate the pangs of historical "reminiscences, if
any of our English born residents were discOn-
certed BY the spectacle of a commemOr ton of
the victorious French American alliance.
NOtwiths anding the unfavorable conditions
the town show was enacted very much as it
had been planned, and was cedtable
demonstration. The files of regiments, veteran
organizations fire companies aud societies were
full the NOV ement of the column was brisk and
even there We're no blocks, but steady, un-
broken marching and progress from upper
Fifth-ave. to the Battery and there was good
management all along the line. The parade
vas one of remarkable variety and magnitude.
The effect of the marine pageant was imDalred |
by the fog, but hostile elements were baffl ID on |
water as well as on land. The arrangement is
on the island, wher the arduOus difficulties of
the undertaking are cODs ered were admir-
p bic. The Statue was unveiled IN the pres
eDce Of The French delegation, the President
and his Cabinet, and a concourse of invited
guests. The formal ceremonies of presenta-
ton were followed bv N tional salutes, on
land and on water, and the entertainment
OF the French guests by the Chamb
of Commerce. Thus came to end 40 exc l.
ently devised and well-executed celebration of
the un yelling of Liberty. The success Of the
pageant was unmstakable, and was particu-
arly gratifying to Americans who remem bered
he i-maDaged an 1 apathetic ut York
Owu few years ago. The French guess on
hat occasion witnessed clumsy. spirtless and
Tagging festivities. Yesterday they we're not
lealt with shabbily. 1t was not such fete
8 the French people themselves with their
rTistic sense, their decorative gelius and
uperior military resources, would have
evised. But it was genuine, hearty, and for
he practical Yankee character exceptionally {
fusive.
The browning literary event Of the day was
Ir. Depew's Grafton at the base of the Statue c
lev ated in tone, chaste in diction, compre- I
ensive in treatment, it in every sense
orthy Of the time and place. 1t was some I
ling more than a recital Of the hackneyed de-
ills of Lafay.tte's chivalrOus mission and the e
lance between generous nation and II
ruggling people 1t was masterly summary 81
the historical results of the united action of l'
10 two countries in momeutOus crisis, and VI
d eloquent Interpretation of the symbolism of 's
le Statue. The development of Tree insitu- -
ons in France and the United States, the
'Ogress of democratic ideas throughout the !"
orld, the pacific tiny of republics, and the I,
muiOn fraternity of enlightened, liberty Il
wing nations were the inspiring themes of
is noble Grafton. We dedicate this Statue" "
As his first exclamation, " To the friendship of o
tiuus and the peace of the world !" IL is n I'll
ntence worthy to be engraved at the foot of Ut
o statue, for it reveals the secret of Libertys II
real meaning Of this unique I'd
emoral. al