Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-06-14
GROUND THAT HAS BECOME HISTORIC
Speeches at the Laying Of the
Corner Stone.
SALUTES BY WAR SHIPS

tiers, as the mouse WHefc beIl was
ington and the Count de Rochambeau plan
ned the campaign against yorktown; where
the evacuation was arranged for by Wash
irgton and the British commander, and
where the first salute to the flag of the
United States was fired by British man
of-war.
cation: the heat was intense. The school
children filled one of the stands, and waved
small American flags enthusiastically in
time with the music.
Vice President Stevenson stood by the
base stone of the monument and reviewed
the procession as it passed. Then, arm in
arm with Chauncey NJ. Depew. and follow
ed by Gen. Bradley and Col. Calhoun. he
walked to the grand stand which was
already filled to overlooking. The arrival
of the Vice President the stand was
hailed by prolonged handclapping.
Mr.. Depew then introduced Archdeacon
c. C. Tiffany of New York. who pronounced
the invocation. while most of the audience
stood uncovered.
ed by d. C. Bradley. chairman of the cit
liens committee of Dobbs' Ferry
Mr.. Bradley said: I'm behalf of the citi-
zens of this village, 1 welcome the Sons of
the American Revolution. This large gath
ering from so small a population shows the
interest we take in the matter"
Col. CalhOun's Response.
Col John C. Calhoun. in responding to
Mr.. Bradley's address of welcome. said:
MIR. Chairman, ladies and gentlemen:
The Sons of the American Revolution,
through us, return to you. sir, and to the
citizens of Dobbs Ferry sincere thanks for
your cordial greeting and their aid and CO.
operation in making this occasion men,
cradle.
'Our society asks not only to perpetuate
the interesting events of the revolution, but
TO keep alive the broad and intense patriot
ism which knew no sections. and which car
ried the people of this country through the
trials of that period, and enabled them to
lay the founda ton of a government whose
achievements have never been surpassed in
the annals of mankind. The events which
we celebrate today and which we seek to
perpetuate are essentially national in their
character, and the whole country has occa-
sion for congratulation in the enthusiasm
which you have displayed, evidencing not
only your hospitality, but the possession of
that patriotism which distinguished our
forefathers, and on which We must place
our sole reliance for the perpetuation of our
institutions. These sentiments of patriot
ism. transferred through unborn genera
tions, should be more enduring than the
granite; without them, monuments to the
Fast greatness but emphasize our deca-
dence; with them, we are assured of the
preservation of our government of co-equal
states, united for the common welfare and
the preservation of our civil liberty and the
rights of mana monument indeed worthy
tie admiration OF the world
I'VE have other special cause for congrat-
ulation. The friendship of France-that
great nation whose troops were united with
ours, and whose gallant services contrib
uted so much to our success-has outlasted
a century; and Great Britain, who here
ranged with Washington for the evacuation
of America, and to whom We are allied by
a common language and common ances-
try, is now bound to us in the strong bonds
of international friendship and proud of the
achievements won by the people of her race
upon this continent.
May the sentiments of patriotism which
mark this occasion endure forever
The deed for the site of the monument
was presented by Dr. Joseph Hasbrouck,
the owner of the property, in a b6ief speech.
Chauncey NJ. Depew then spoke. accept
ing the property.
Vice President Stevenson then delivered
his grafton.
The Vice Presidents Remarks.
II can hope to add but little to the inter-
est Of this great occasion by any words 1
may utter. This day and this hour belong
to history. We stand, indeed, upon historic
ground. Here on the banks of the males
tic Hudson we lay the corner stone of a
monument which will commemorate great
events of the revolution. This monument
will mark the spot where the respective
commanders of the British and American
armies arranged amicable terms at the
cloSe of the great struggle. for the with
III
ders Al that self-same hour upon the op-
posite bank of the Hudson. British sloop-
of-war fired seventeen guns in honor of the
great American Chieftain. More than that
ii was the first official recognition by mil
itary salute, by one of the greatest to the
latest born sovereign nation.
The monument, whose corner stone we
lay at this hour, will mark the spot where
occurred one of the greatest events of our
colonial struggle. Washington abandoning
all hope OF successful attack upon the
city of New York, upon the identical spot
where we have now assembled. on the 18th
day of August, 1tS1, planned the southern
campaign, whose objective point was the
peninsula of Virginia, the fruits of which
were the surrender of CORVALLIS to the
American and French armies at Yorktown;
the establishment of colonial independence
and the Introduction of the government of
the United States into the family of ma
tons.
What wonderful results have followed
the conference at this spot between Wash
iEgton and the French admiral one hun
dred and thirteen years ago.
This is, indeed. Mr.. President, the fitting
day for the observance of the interesting
ceremonies you have iraugurated. The 14th
day of June-the anniversary of the adop-
tiCn by the colonial congress of the stars
and stripes as our national symbols the
appropriate day for the laying of the corner
stone of monument which is to COM
memorate events which are so closely link
ed with our struggle for independence, and
which make up so important part of the
warp and wool of our revolutionary his
tory.
1T is well that to the descendants of the
heroes of our colonial struggle has been
committed the patriotic task of erecting
this monument. The important service of
this hour is not the least of the patriotic
services which have brought luster to the
honored Sons of the American Revolution
THE members of this society-whose
blood is that of revolutionary heroes-are
charged with the grateful task of garnering
up for history the glorious deeds of illus
trious sires. 1t is theirs to keep brightly
burning the fires upon our patriotic affairs;
to inculcate the sacred love of country; to
teach our American youth that upon this
worlds theater have never appeared
grander or manlier men than Washington
and his compeers. and that the highest
title they can wear is that of American
citizen"
France Sends Her Regrets.
The following letter from NJ. PatenOtre
French ambassador to the United States,
was read:
WASHINGTON, June IL. 1894.
"Col. Jno. c. Calhoun, Dear Sir-UpOn
my return to Washington. after a short
absence, l find the letter you did me the
honor to write to me the 9th instant,
and / hasten to renew the expression of my
regret that / am unable to attend the pa
triOtic ceremonies to which YOU have kindly