The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-10-28
THE BARTHoLDI STATUE.
The Distinguished Visitors Given the
Freedom of the City.
A Reception rendered BarthoIdi and
other French Guests.
The Programme for the Dedication
Exercises Today.

New YORK, Oct. 27-In the aldermen's
chamber today Mayor Grace bestowed the
freedom of the city of New York upon Bar
tholdi and the members of the French dele
gatlon. The room had been gorge0usly dec
GRATED for the occasion.
Mayor Grace, in his address to Bartholdi
said that the citizens Of New York take spec
lai and peculiar pride in the great statue
which today stands at the entrance of their
harbor. They are not indeed mindful of
the national significance of the generous
and splendid gift of the French people to the
people OF the United States and they fully
share the national enthusiasm which that
gift has aroused. They feel, as do all pa
triotic citizens, the debt of gratitude which
they owe to the brave nation that allied it
self with their forefathers in the dark days
OF the Revolution. and which aided them in
fighting the battle of liberty. After paying
the mayor continued: II have been chosen
by the common council of the city of New
York, representing her citizens, to bestow
upon you the freedom of the city. This unus-
ual mark of respect will add nothing to your
laurels. Your name is inseparably associa-
ed with the great work which owes its exis-
tence to your genius, and will undoubtedly
find an appropriate and lasting place in the
memory m Of .gu great people, therefore, in
sent to you full freedom to their city, and
avail myself of the occasion to express in
their behalf their gratitude to the author
and creator of the statue which will forever
remain splendid ornament of their metrop-
oils
M. Bartholdi replied feelingly TO the ad-
dress of the Mayor, thanking him and the
citizens for their kindness and courtesy
NJ. Des Champs also responded for the del
egateS.
The meeting was then formally declared
adjourned.
Today's Programme.
New YORK, Oct PIP NIT is possible
that should the rain, which is now falling in
torrents, continue tomorrow, the unyeiling
OF the Bartholdi statue will have to be post
poned, as the whole affair would be a fasco
in wet weather.
The hotels. are crowded with strangers
from all section here to witness the great
display. All the downtown exchanges will
close TOMORROW, and nearly all the business
houses will suspend for the day. The pub
nc schools will also close and the children
VIII be given place in the parade. All the
public offices will close by order of the board
OF aldermen at today's meeting
The lighting of the statue was tested dur
ing the daytime yesterday, and proved to be
successful.
Windows are now being hired by the peo-
pie anxious to view the parades, and the
higher the buildings the larger the number
OF applicants for their accommodation, and
ON the Washington Building bills are placed
stating that tenants will be allowed to enter
possess themselves of cards.
The following is the order of exercise to be
used at the unveiling of the statue:
Music during the landing and seating ofthe
assembly.
2-Signal gun
3-Prayer by Rev. Richard s. Storrs, d. D.
Count Ferdinand de Lesseps on behalf of
Franco-American Union.
differentiation address, Hon. William NJ
Eyarts.
6-Unveng
IA salute salvo from all the guns in the
harbOr.
S-Music
9-Acceptance of the statue by the President.
lO-Representative on behalf of the Republic
OF France, lie Ministre Plenipotentaire, ct deegue
extraordinaire, A. Lefaivre.
11-Music.
12-Commemorative address, Hon. Chauucey
M. Depew.
13-Music, Doxology, tune, "0ld Hundred"
l4-Benediction, Right Rev. Penry c. Potter,
15-National salute to be fired simultaneously
afOat.
16-Illnmination of the statne, with fireworks
on Bedloe's and Governors Islands and the bat
terry.
The music is to be by Gilmore's Twenty
second Regiment Band.