The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-10-29


men OF our land, and OF this countless
multitude, that this pedestal and the
united work Of the two republics is
completed and surrendered 10 the care
and keeping of the government aud
the people Of the United Sta5es.
Attne conclusion OF Senator Evarts's
spsech the signal was given aud the
veil WIS withdrawn from the face OF
the statue amidet the booming OF can
mons and the shr.eking OF whistles
from the hundreds of steamers and
other craft anchored around the
Island. This iodescribabls ovation
continued for fully half an hour.
Senator Evarts then, when the firing
ard h1oting subsidized, introduced
Grover Cleveland, President OF the
United Statea, who, in accepting the
statue, said:
THE PRESIDENTS SPEECH.
The people Of the United States &C
cept with gratitude from. their breth-
rem Of the French Republic The grand
and complete work Of art we here in
augurate. The token of the affection
and consideration of the people OF
France demonstrates the kinship of
Republics and conveys to US the as
suranCe that, in our efforts 10 COM
mend to mankind the excellence OF a
government resting upon popular will,
we still have beyond the American
continent a s'eadt2st ally. We are
not here today to bow before the rap
resentati9n OF fierce aod warlik9
God, filed with wrath and vengeance,
but we joyously contemplate instead
our OWE deity keeping watch and ward
before tbs open gates OF Amer ca, and
greater than all that have been
celebrated in ancient Troy. Instead
of Rr lsping in her hand thurdarbolts
OF terror and of death, che holds aloit
the light which Eliminates the way
to mans enfranchisement We will
not forget that Liberty has here made
her home, Tor shall her chosen altar
be neglected. Willing votaries Will
constantly keep alive its fires and
these shall CLEAN upon the shores Of
our sister Republic ia the East. Re-
flacting theuce and joined with an
swering rays, Stream oil light shall
pierce the darkness of iguoran,e and
mau's oppression, until Liberty en-
lightens the world"
NJ. LIE FAIvRIE's ADDRESS.
After President Cleveland came NJ.
A. LsFaivre, Minister PleHipotentsry,
who spoke as the representative Of the
Republic CT France. He said: In the
presence of 80 imposing an assembly,
and as prelude to ceremony which
Co1solid3tes the secular friendship OF
two great nations, it is an honor and &
hearty pleasure TO me to present you,
in the Lane of the French Govern
nent and OF the entire French
nation, the sincere and warm as
surance Of sympathetic participation.
The inaugura ion OF today is
one of splendor, with solemn
and impressive import, for it 10 one
OF those which form an epoch in his
tory. This colossal Statue of Liberty,
moulded by great artist, would any
where attract attention aud Difference.
But here on American soil it evincs5
special significance, symb 1lizing the
existence and development of ycuc
nation during more than 100 years.
To US, Americans and Frenchmen,
| liberty is not only common doctrine,
it is also family. tie. From the
alliance between the two nations
sprang forth the most d1z.
z|ing manifestation of its expansion
and radiance through the universe.
1t will be an eternal honor TO France
to have seconded the effort of your
heroism, ard to have understood in
the frst dawn the sublime prospects
which were promised to mankind by
ynur generous ardor. This symbol,
which we inaugurate today, is not a
mere allegory pledge Of fra
terual union between the two
greatest Republics in the world !;
it is greeted simultaneously by more
then l00,000,000 Of frsemeu who ten
der friendly hands to each other across
the ocean. Among the Thousands of
Europeans who aye daily conveyed to
these hospitable shores, no one will
pass before this glorious emblem with
out immediately perceiving its moral
greatness, and without greeting it
with respect and thaukfulness.
There YVES more mus by Gilmore's
Twenty-second Regiment Band, aud
then Ohauncey M. Depew delivered
the commemorative address.
mr.. DKPEw's ADDRESS.
We dedicate this statue to the friend
ship of nations aud the peace of the
world. The spirit of liberty embraces
all races in common brotherho ID, it
voices in all languages the same needs
and aspirations. The full power of its
expansive and progressive influence
cannot be reached until wars cease,
armies are di banded, and interns-
tional disputes are settled by lawful
tribunals and the principles Of justice.
Then the people OF every nation, Sc
cure from invasion, and free from the
burden and menace of great arma-
ments, can calmly and dispas sionately
promote their own happiness and pros
perity. The marvellous development
and progress OF this Republic is due to
the fact that in rigidly sdhering to the
advice Of Washington for absolute
neutrality and non interference in the
politics aud policies of other govern
ments we have avoided the necessity
of depicting our industries to
feed our armies OF tax
ing and impoverishing our
resources 10 carry on war, and of limit
ing our liberties to concentrate power
in our government. Our great civil
strife, with all its expenditure of blood
and treasure, was a terrible sacrifice
for freedom. The results are so i'm
measurably great that by comparison
the cost is insignificant. The develop
ment of liberty Yves impossible while
she was shsckled to the slave. The
divine thought which entrusted
to the conquered the full measure Of
home rule and accorded to them an
equal share of imperial power was the
inspiration OF God. With sublime
trust 1t left TO liberty the elevation OF
the freedmen to political rights and
the conversion OF the rebel to patriotic
citizenship. The rays from this torch
illuminate century OF unb oxen
friendship between Francs and the
United States. Peace and its oppor-
tunities for material progress and the
axnansion of ponular libertiea sends