The state herald., 1891-07-03
= STATUE or sEEoAEa.
A Notable Gathering IN Brooklyn At
the dwelling Of the Statue.


At 4 o'clock Wednesday afternoon.
In tho triangular plot In front of the city
hail Id Brooklyn, was unveiled with suit
able ceremonies 4 tribute In bronze and
granite 10 Henry Ward Beochef. It was
unveiled by the granddaughter Of the hnan
in whose memory II was erected, Ger-
trudc Roxana Beecher, and by her side
stood the sculptor, ]. Q. A. Ward.
After prayer by the Rev. o. b. Halliday.
Rev. Charles H. Hall, D. 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 Mayhower
missions, stationed by the pedestal.
led In the singing to tho music Of the band
Of tho Thirteenth regiment, the full COM
mand being present, Of the hymn Love
Divine, All Love Excelling," which has
been called "Beecher," from his prefer
enoe for II.
Mayor Chapman then turned the statue
over to the park department, after which
the band played the adagio from Bee
thoven's fifth symphony, which Mr.. Beech
er loved.
The Hon. Seth Low then delivered the
Grafton Of tho day.
In the course Of his address Mr.. Low
said:
"From this city Mr.. Boecher swayed the
minds and hearts Of men In vast multi
| tnAa TO- fhia CantaF
his voice traversed land and sea, carrying
inspiration, comfort, courage and some
thing of tho exhiliration which freedom
brings wherever they were borne on tho
! four winds. The slave heard his voice,
and in tho midst Of despair took heart Of
hope. The slave-owner heard 1t, and
writhed under Its sting. The free North
heard it, and found II like the sword OF
that spirit which divideth the joints and
marrow. Men might cry peace, peace
but where conscience compelled men to
listen to his burning words there could be
no peace while the flag Of the Union
waved over u single slave. At times when
law and 'lawlessness alike conspired
against the advocate Of the slave, he made
this city the torch bearer Of freedom. BY
dauntless spirit he made good at all times
the words which he shouted In the teeth
of Isaiah Rynders and his mob when they
broke up IN abolition meeting in New
York. In Brooklyn we have free speech.
"Thoughtfully and fcarlessly he dis
cussed all the burning questions OF hi.
time. Many note ho struck from tn,
harp strings OF tho human heart, but n,
one will doubt that his passion for free,
dom was the master passion Of his life
And this love Of freedom was heaven
born. He verify believed that all mel
are the sons of God, and that rs such tn
birthright Of every man is freedom
freedom under law 10 become all that II !
his power TO boz
The memorial is one Of the most impor
tant and one Of the best works Of tn
sculptor. The statue stands Beecher OIL
simple polished pedestal OF dark Quinc
granite with rounded sides and heavy ca
and base, designed by Richard NJ. Hunt
the architect. This has on the left tn
figure of negro, given in coarse slav
costume, on the right those Oh Two chii
dren, . boy and a rirl humbly clad. Mi
Beecher is shown with overcoat on an
soft felt hat in hand, as II stopping for
moment in walk or about to address u
out of door asscmblagc. 1t is rs the publ
man and not as the preacher that th'
ssalptoy. In view ot shs xiaely.poRSls flsa
tho erection OF the statue, has represonte
his subject The pose is natural, Ii
modelling is strong and realistic and III
expression Of the face, turned to the rigt
and excellent US protrait, is particular
happy.