The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-05-01
AMERICAN ART IN EUROPE.
4 Monument Paid For in the United
States to Be Erected in Holland.
In Token Of Appreciation for Hospitality Shown
the Pilgrim Fathers Preceding Their
Departure for America.
Special farl. Letter to THE MORNING GALL.

Special Paris Letter 70 IKE MohN OAhL'
PARIS. April . 1871 recently returned
from Holland, where / had the pleasure OF
seeing Hon. Sam r. Thayer, who represents
US at the court of the Netherlands. His Ex-
cellency is a man of profound learning,
sound judgment and possesses most charm
ing conversational powers. Mr.. Thayer car
ried to The Hague his large and valua-
BILE library and saddle horse, from which
he did not care to be separated.
BY living at the Hotel Vieux Doclen Mr..
Thayer follows the example of the Spanish
and Portuguese Ministers, also that Of his
predecessor, Hon. Robert Roosevelt, than
whom
AMERICA
has possessed no more genial diplomatic.
Mr.. Thayer has at heart the friendship be-
tween the United States and Holland, and
there are some descendants of the Pilgrim
Fathers living in Europe who receive with
enthusiasm his plan to erect monument in
Holland as a token Of appreciation for the
hospitality shown the Pilgrims during the
twelve years preceding their departure for
America.
Not only are the Americans abroad en-
thusiastic, but the Dutch Minister of For
eign Affairs has promised Mr.. Thayer that
whenever the movement takes shape, the
Governmental the Netherlands will joyfully
render any service in its power TO facilitate
the accomplishment of the undertaking"
The Dutch Minister goes even further, for
he says, the final realization of this pro-
jet will be regarded by the people Of the
Netherlands AS new pledge of sympathy,
and further proof of the inviolable rela-
tlonship which has ALWAYS existed between
THE TWO NATIONS"
When in 1889 Mr.. Thayer sent to the
State Department at Washington a dis
patch in which he urged the appropriate
ness of such a remembrance, this dispatch
was sent from Washington to the Governor
Of Massachusetts,, in order that it might by
him be submitted to the Pilgrim Society OIL
his State. This society took an interest in
the project, and soon all the Pilgrim So
cieties IN America, many Senators, Repre-
sentatiVes and others 10 prominent posi-
tons, became champions of the cause.
Hon. Robert B. Roosevelt, President of
the Holland Society of New York, thinks
the subject should be brought before Con-
greSs, in order to obtain sympathy in the
undertaking. Mr.. Roosevelt, however, does
not believe that an Appropriation should be
asked. as he Is quite sure private cOntrlDu-
tors will furnish all necessary funds.
In reviewing the history OF AmerIca-Of
New England in paTiicular-we must see
that without the aid of Holland in time of
trouble, a time Of peril the Pilgrims would
never have gone to America.
The intolerance of England was succeeded
by the tolerance of Holland, and only Dutch
kindness and evidences OF Dutch friendship
enabled the nonconformists to carry into
effect their plans for emigration.
When iu Holland l visited the spot On
which it is proposed to erect a monument;
the spot selected is that where the canal
from Leyden through the city of Delft en-
tiers the River Mas, at Delftshaven. Here
lay the Speedwell, and here stood John
Robinson; here the farewells were made,
and here ''sundry of ye Dutch strangers vt
stood on We key as spectators
COULD NOT REFRAIN FROM TEARS"
Mr.. Thayer says that the Netherlands
Government will make any reasonable con-
ceSSiOn in the way of donating ground for
the purpose as soon as the movement has
assumed proportions sufficient to justify
such action.
The situation for monument is superb,
because as one approaches Rotterdam from
the North Sea and as one deScends the
Mas the river bends in such a way that
the spot selected can be seen from a great
distance. On making inquiry Mr.. Thayer
discovered that all the land adjoining
Delftshaven. or harbor of Delft, Is pubic
property belonging TO the city Of Rotter-
dam. TO Rotterdam DelftShaven was an
nexed only few years ago and monu-
ment on this peculiar site would not only
be in full view of commercial ships coming
from all quarters Of the earth, but American
tourists would find it a landmark recalling
one of the great events of American history.
In Holland the monument proposed by Mr..
Thayer is a topic Of conversation, and the
Dutch people are very proud of the fact
that there are many points of resemblance
between the two countries. We have our
Washington, but they have William the
Silent; Americans have been republican
for little more than 100 years, but the
Dutch we're republican during two centuries
and ia all but name they are republican to-
day.
Many are the anecdotes told of the as
sistance given by Holland to the young
American republic. In the archives of the
Government it is written that Dutch Gov
ernor of Dutch fort in the West Indies
was the first to welcome the stars and
stripes on the high seas. 1t is also said that
the Dutch Governors action almost cost
Holland
A WAR WITH ENGLAND.
When America was in very straitened
financial circumstances, before the constitu-
ton was adopted, John Adams came to Eu-
rope to borrow money for the new country.
When every other European country re-
fused to give credit to America Holland
consented, and John Adams returned home
with between two and three million dollars.
The completion Of such a monument in
Delftshaven would certainly be a fitting
celebration for the four huudredth anniYer-
safy of Americas discovery, and now that
there is interest aud enthusiasm on both
sides Of the Atlantic only money is needed
to carry. out the plan of the United States
Minister at The Hague.
a subscription has already been opened
by the Congregational Club of Boston, and
the committee in charge is composed of Rev.
William Elliott Grifis. Chairman; Messrs.
Hamilton Hill. Frank Wood, Arthur Little
and Thomas Weston of Boston.
Americans In Paris and The Hague are
willing to add their contributions so that
Dutch hospitality and friendship may be
properly concentrated.
1t will be remembered that the monument
erected at Plymouth, the landing place of
the Pilgrims, unveiled August /, 1885, cost
100000, and while the Hon. Robert ROose-
welt is enthusiastic enough to suggest $780,
600 for that at Delftshaven, | think the
monument should not be so costly as that OF
Plymouth. 1t must not be forgotten that
labor is cheaper and certainly material far
less costly than in America, so a monument
costing S200,00 in America would in Hol-
land cost not more than half that amount.
AS the gift will be American the sculptor
should certainly be American, and know
Of several artists in Europe who would be
delighted IL the result of their talent were
another bond Of union between the great
countries.