The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-10-29
rLAND, FRIDAY MORNING, OCTOBER 80, 1886

FERDINAND DeLesseps then made a brief
presentation speech in behalf of the France
American Union He spoke OF the concen-
tion OF the statue; the work of the commit
tee. Oh wnicn ne was member, to bring the
nlaller 70 tne attentlon Of the French gov
ernnenti the popular contribution TO the
cost OF founding the work, and its final
departure on the Izere. '' ''''
Senator Eyarts followed. aWhat orna-
ments OF speech, he said, "Yhat eIoouence
o. Of human voice, what costly gifts of gold
ute can we bring to the celebration Of this
consummate triumph of the genius. of the
skill, OF the labor which speaks TODAY and
will speak forever the thoughts, feelings and
friendships Of these two populous. powerful
ana free republics knit together in their
pride and joy at their own Established free
dom and in their hope and purpose that the
glad light Of liberty shall enlighten the
world" After appropriate illusions to the
friendly relations which have existed be-
tween the United States and the lberty-loy-
ing people Of France, he paid high com
pliment to the great sculptor, Bartholdi," :"
eulogized the principles which the statue
represents and reviewed briefly the circum-
stances attending the statues acceptance
and reception in this country. The address
was cut short by the premature unwilling of
the signal for the ceremony. The Senator
tired.
The unyeiling was one of the prettiest and
most perfect features Of the day. The corn
ers OF the veil were un0osened and futtered
for moment in the breeze when the whole
flag was drawn up Though an opening In
the tiara. disappearing as If by magic into
the forehead of tire statue, then the dignifed
features OF the goddess appeared to the null
titude, the fog hasing. lifted. For moment
the din of cannonading and whistliRg was
renewed. A salute Of 1O0guns being fired on
Bedloe's Island ID which the warships and
Governors Island replied. As the sounds
died away President Cleveland stepped for
ward and accepted the statue iu the follow
ing words:
President cIeveiand's Speech.
The people of the United States accept
with gratitude from their brethren of the
French Republic the grand and completed
work of art we here inaugurate. This token
of affection and consideration Of the people
of France demonitrates the friendship of re-
publics, and conveys to us assurance that in
our efforts to commend to mankind the ex-
cellence Of government resting upon the
popular will we sill have beyond the Ameri-
can continent seadfast ally. We are not
here today to bow before representative of
a fierce and warlke god. filled with wrath
and vengeance, bit we joyOusly contemplate
instead our own deity keeping watch and
ward before the pen gates of America, and,
ancient song, instead of grasping in her hand
thunderbolts of terror and of death, she holds
al0ft light which illumines the way to mans
enfranchisement. We will not forget that
liberty has here made her home, nor shall
her chosen altar le neglected. Willing vo-
taries will constantly keep alive its fires, and
these shall gleamupon the shores of our sis
ter republic in the East, reflected thence and
Joined with the answering rays a stream of
light shall pierce he darkness of ignorance
and mans oppression, until liberty enlight-
ems the world.
NJ. Albert LeRivre, French consul-gen-
eral to New Yorh, spoke as the representa-
tive of the republic of France. He said:
TO us Americans and Frenchmen liberty is
not only common doctrine, it is family
tie. From the alliance between the two ma
tions sprang fonh a most dazzling mani
festation Of its expansion and radiance
through the universe. 1t will be eternal
honor to France TO have seconded the effort
Of your heroism, and to have understood in
the first dawn the sublime prospects which
were promised to mankind by your generous
ardor."
Chauncey NJ. Depew followed with his
address: The Doxology was sung and
Bishop Potter, clad in his ecclesiastical gar
ments, pronounced the benediction.
No name spoken during the day caused so
much enthusiasm as that of Bartholdi, loud
cheers kreetingit everywhere. There was
an inexcusable Jack of arrangement in leay-
ing the island and embarking again for
home. The French visitors were scattered
here and there in the crush and detained in
it for nearly an hour
M. Bartholdi aid his wife were compelled
to elbow their way as best they could through
the crowd, which not recognizing them in
the hustle paid item but very scant courtesy :.
Nor was the grea Count De Lesseps or those
with him much letter treated. The Presi-
dent and his party being better known by
the police received m)re attention, but the
President, CabiIet members, Counts, Adj
mirals, Minister Plenepotentiary, Divines,
Senators, and all the ladies bore their incon-
venience as good Republicans and true Dem
ocrats. The President left the city by a spec
ial train on the Pennsylvania road at $50
o'clock this evening. He went straight from
the festivities or Bedloe's Island on board
the Despatch in company of Secretaries La
mar, Bayard ant Whitney and Col. Lamont
to Adams ExprG. Pier land walked to the
depot where special train was in waiting.
The fireworks panned for this evening as
close to the festivities were postponed till
Saturday evening on the account Of rain.