The Delta independent., 1891-07-01
A STATUE OF cEEcAER.
A Notable Gathering in Brooklyn at
the UnveiIing off Statue.

'~ ~'''~'''S W VIZ SAoA1Cs
AT o'clock Wednesday afternoon,
In the triangular plot In front of the city
hal in Brooklyn, was unveiled with suit
able ceremonies tribute in bronze and
granite TO Henry Ward Beecher. 1t was
| unveiled by the granddaughte of the man
in whose memory it was erected, Ger
trude II Kama Beechcr, and by her side
stood tie sculptor, J. Q. A. Ward.
After prayer by the Rev. S. b. Halliday.
Rev. Charles II. Hall, ID. D., of Trinity
Episcopal church, introduced Mayor
Chapman, who received the statue on
behalf OF the city. Three hundred child
rem from the Sunday schools Of Plymouth
church and the Bethel and Mayfiower
missions, stationed by the pedestal,
led in the singing to the music of the band
Of the Thirteenth regiment, the full COM
rnand being present. of the hymn "Love
Divine, All Love Excclling,n which has
been called ''Beecher,r from his prefer
ence for II.
Mayor Chapman then turned the statue
over 10 the park department, after which
the band played the adagio from Bee
thoyen's iifth symphony, which Mr.. Beech
er loved.
The Hon. Seth Low then delivered the
GRAFTON OF the day.
{. In the course of his address MIR. Low
said:
From this city Mr. Bcecher swayed the
minds and hearts of men In vast multi
tudes for forty years. From this center
his voice tra ed land nd 500
Inspiration, comfort, courage and some
thing OF the exhilirai!on which freedom
brings wherever they were borne on the
four winds. The slave heard his voice,
and in the midst of despair took heart of
hope. The slave-owner heard IL, and
wrIthed under its sting. The Tree North
heard il, and found IL Ike the sword OF
that spirit which divideth the Joints and
marrow. Men might cry peace, peace
but where conscience compelled men 10
listen TO his burning words there could DO
no peace while the Gag OF the Union
waved over n single slave. At times when
law and lawlessness alike consp spired
against the advocate Of the slave, be mace
this city the torch bearer Of freedom. by
daunt!ess spirit ne made good a, ali times
the words which he shouted In the teeth
OF Isaiah Rynders and his mob whea they
broke up an abolition meeting in New
York IN Brooklyn we havo free speech
"rhougntiuily aad feariessly he dis
crssed ali tho burning questions OF his
time. Many y noLs he struck from the
harp strings Of the human heart, bat no
ono viii doubt that his passion for free
dom wns the master passioa OF his life.
And This love Of freedom was heaven
born. lie verify believed that all men
are the sons OF God, ami ,ha, US such the
btrIhright of every man is frecdom-
irccdu;n under law to become all thu, /, is
bis power To be-
The memorial Is one Of the most i.npor-
tant aad one OF the best works OF the
sculptor. The statue stands Beechcr on
simple polished pedestal OF dark Quincy
granite with rounded sides and heavy cap
aud base, designed by Richard NJ. Hunt,
the arcnitect. This has on the left tho
rsure OF a negro, given In coarse slave
costume. on the right those of two chill
drcn, u boy and u firl, humbly clud. Mr..
Becchcr is shown with ovcrcoat on and
soft ielt hat In hand, as IL stopping for a
rDcmcnt in a walk or about 10 address an
out OF door asscmblagc. II is M the public
man and not as tho preacher that the
sculptor, in view OF the widely popular
nature Of tho movement which resulted iu
the erection OF the statue, has represented
his subject. The pose is natural, the
modelling Is strong and realistic aud the
expression Of the face, turned to tho right
and excellent rs o prouait, is particularly
happy.