The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-10-27
THE BARTHOLDI STATUE.
Honors to the French Visitors Reception at
the New York Academy of Music.

New YORK, Oct 26.-The French delegates to
the Bartholdi dedication we're escorted to-day
to inspect the Brooklyn bridge. From there
they were driven TO the various points of inter-
est in the city by the members of the American
committee. Prince Louis Napoleon and the
Chevalier Mchaeiis visited the Battery and
Castle Garden to-day. None of the French dele
gates have called upon the Prince yet Officially
they are not supposed to know that he is in the
city, as ho is under an assumed name.
The Academy of Music was gayly decorated
tonight in honor of the French delegates to the
unveiling of the statue of Liberty, who were
rendered reception by the Cercle Franchise de
Harmonic A distinguished audience was pres
ent, including very large representation from
the French colony. NJ. La Fou, president of the
cercls, presided, and an address of welcome was
made in French by Mr.. Frederick R. Cou-
dert Mr.. Coudert said that the occasion was
unique in the history of nations. Ii is rare
thing to have an international festival which
does not tell of triumphs written in blood and of
ly-bouGht victories. This occasion recalled
the struggle which closed al Yorktown, and in
which the French gained nothing but honor.
The inauguration of the statue of Liberty was
another chapter in the common history of the
two nations. A century Of trials of prog
ress, had elapsed The thirteen colonies had
become powerful Nation. The speaker alluded
to the reverses France sustained in the Franco
Prussian war. and said that France had recov-
cred her position. though at the expense of a
province. The artist who designed the statue
was from Alsace. and the Goddess comes from
Colmar. He forgot his grief at his country'S
loss and gave to the land Of the free the work of
his life.
Senator Evarts then spoke on behalf of the
American committee. extending hearty well
come to the city and to the Nation, to all public
manifestations, and to the homes of our people.
No guests of nation ever before, ne said, had
SO great avant courier this liberty bearing
messenger, through whom her native land will
be remembered, for though she is now part of
America, she is q native, and loyal native, Of
France.
M Spuller member of the French Parlia-
ment. then spoke. He said it would be impossi-
BILE to speak to the French people with more
feeling than had been done this evening For
whole century the two nations have gone hand
in hand, and although America has advanced the
further in liberty. France is not envious of her
happiness. You have put in practice what our
philosophers have described; you have aided us
by your example, and we are amply repaid for
any services we may have rendered in your Rev
oution.
M. De Lesseps rose and embraced NJ Spuller
on the conclusion of his speech, and kissed him
on both cheeks. He said he was profoundly
touched with the sentiments of the great nation,
and ne would say: 'Vive PAmerique ct la
liberte."
M. Bartholdi was also called for and expressed
his thanks for the reception
NJ. Deschamps, Paris alderman, then spoke,
pronouncing the mblage eminently Partisan.
An extended musical programme was then rem
dered, in which Fursch-Madi and other eminent
artists took part