The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1886-07-15

The unveiling Of the Webster Statue,
at Concord, N. H.. on the 18th nlt.,
was an event of far more than mere
local interest.
1t Is estimated that $4,000 people
gathered to witness the ceremonies.
In the State House Park. just opposite
the Capitol in which Webster first be-
gan his political career. stood his
statue, concealed for the time being
under the folds of the American flag.
The exercises were begun with the Gus
tomary military parade, the troops, IN.
der the command of Brig. Gen. Daniel
NJ. White, Commander-in.C Chief. march
ing with precision. Then followed the
distinguished guests in carriages,
among whom, beside Gov. Hill, were
Hon. George d. Robinson and staff of
Massachusetts. Gen. Daniel +. Sickles,
William NJ. Evarts. John Wentworth,
William +. Chandler, Gov. Samuel f..
Pingree and staff of Vermont, Gov.
Robic, of Maine; Lieut.. Gov. Oil. er
AMes, of Massachusetts; +. Is. Wash
burne, of Illinois: Gen. +. e. Graham,
Z. S. A.: ex-United States Senator Pat
terson and Senator Mitchell.
After the procession had arrived ut
the Capitol the President of the day,
George w. Nesmith, Ii. D., personal
friend of Webster, delivered an address
Of welcome. and then Benjamin r.
Cheney presented the statue 10 the
Governor for the State of New Hamp-
shire in the following words:
Your EAcellency: am happy at the
fullilment of an intention which | have
long cherished. Of presenting to my
native state statue Of Daniel Web
ster. trust that it may be received by
you. in behalf Of the people whose pD-
litical rights are intrusted TO your care,
as an appropriate tribute to the men,
ory of a son of New HAMPSHIRE who Ms
a patriot was unexcelled. and rs an or
ator and statcman was without peer.
| now deliver to Your Excellency the
conveyance of the statue TO the State.
executed by the trustees having the
matter in charge.
lie then delivered the deed to Gov.
Currier.
Miss Annie George, the blushing and
beautiful daughter of Col. John H.
George. pulled the string. the flag
that had covered the statue fell, and
Daniel Webster, in bronze, heroic size,
gazed benignantly ut the multitude that
had come to do him homage. At that
moment the lowering clouds let fall a
shower Of rain tLat battered upon the
monument as ii to christeL it.
II y. ..sE 4 l.
official representative of the State and
thanked Mr.. Cheney for lis generosity
in giving it. Then Samuel Bartlett, d.
d., LII. d.. delivered an Grafton, re-
viewing the life of the illustrious orator
and statesman IN whose honor the
celebration of the day was held. He
spoke in eloquent terms of his services
to the state and nation and concluded
by saying: And as long as her foun-
tains shall gnsh, her lakes shall CLEAN,
her rivers run and her mountains rise
shall the memory of Webster be fresh
in his native State
Wm. G. Sheppard. of North Scituate,
Mass, a native of New Hampshire.
read an lode to Daniel Webster" and
the following letter from Presidcn.
Cleveland was read:
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WASHINGTON, ID. c., June, II.
Hon. Moody Currier, Governor cf New
Hampshire.
DEAR SIR: | regret that pressing
official duties will not permit me to be
present 1T the exercises attending the
unveiling Of the statue Of Daniel Web
ster ut Concord on Thursday next.
Every occasion which does honor to
this illustrious statesman is Of extraor-
dinary interest to all American citizens
since our pride in his career and
achievements is not in the least limit
ed by partisan influence or by anv SEN
timent less than national. II would
be well if in the capital Of every state
there stood a statue. such rs Concord
boasts, which should not only prompt
the memory of man. but which should
also keep alive through the coming
centuries the love and vencration OF
the American people for true American
greatness. Yours very truly,
GROVER CLEVELAND.