The morning call., 1894-05-13
FOUND A WORLD.
All Honor to the Great
Columbus.
HIS MONUMENT UNVEILED
In the Presence of Cheering
Thousands.
GREAT MEN OF THE NATIONS
Speak the Praises of the Genoese
Navigator Who Plunged Into
the Unknown.
GREAT MEN OF THE NATIONS

rectly in front of the stand was the statue
veiled with an American flag. just before
the commencement of the exercises the
officers of the Spanish man-of-war
Nautilus reached the ground. They
were escorted to the platform and
formally introduced. Without prelim-
mary remarks General Wilson then
introduced Right Rev. Bishop Potter,
who delivered a lengthy invocation. closing
with the Lords Prayer, with the audience
joining him in repeating General Wilson
then introduced the Vice-President. Mr..
Stevenson was warmly received. He
said:
mo words of mine can add to the inter-
est or the dignity Of this great occasion.
This hour will live in history. From elo-
quent lips have fallen burning words
which will tell to coming ages Of the
homage paid to the memory Of the dscov-
erer of our country. Central Park-beau-
tiful and magnifi ficent-is the fitting place
for the statue of Columbus. 1t is well
that to the city of New York, the metropo-
lis of the continent, should have fallen the
grateful task of pOrtrayipg to the millions
of all the coming ages the features of the
man who, despite obstacle and danger.
marked out the pathway to the New
World. The name and fame of Columbus
belong exclusively to no age or country,
but are the enduring heritage of all people
Your President has truly said In all the
transactions of history that there is no act
which for vastness and performance can
be compared to the discovery Of the conti-
nent of America. In the modest words of
the great navigator, he only opened the
gates and 10! there came In builders OF a
new and mighty nation.
1t is said that in Venice there is sacredly
preserved a letter written by Columbus a
few hours before hs. sailed from Palos.
With reverent expressions of trust in God,
humbly, but with unfaltering faith, he
spoke of his proposed voyage. Who can
doubt that 10 his prophesy was foreshad-
owed something of that famous land with
whose history and tradition his name and
fame are linked for all time? What page
in all history tells of deeds so fraught with
blessings to the generations as the dis
covery of America Columbus added an
other continent TO the map of the world.
| will detain you no longer Your eyes
will now behold this splendid work of art
1t is well that its approaches are firm and
broad. for along this pathway rolling
centuries will come as pilgrims to shrine
TO behold the statue of Columbus, this en-
during monument to the gratitude of a
great city of great nation"
At the moment he concluded he pulled
the rope placed in bis hand. and the flag
was drawn from the statue. which in all
its artistic fEish was revealed to an ap-
plauding and appreciative audience. It is
situated on the south end of the mall. fac
ing Shakespeare's statue. and the figure
represents Columbus with the standard Of
Spain in his right hand. the pole resting
on globe upon coil OF rope. The left
hand and arm are extended slightly for
ward as if completing gesture. while the
face portrays him in the act of speaking.
Mayor Gilroy, on behalf of the city, ac-
cepted the statue in a few we'll chosen
words. He was followed by Cornelius
Vanderbilt, who read three letters. one
from Governor Flower. one from Robert
c. Winthrop of Massachusetts, and this
letter from the Duke of Veragua:
MADRID, April 5, 1894.
NM Dear General: On the occasion of the
un yelling of the statue of Columbus beg you
TO express my cordial greeting to the city of
New York and all American citizens who are
assembled In order TO give new tribute of
respect to the memory Of my illustrious an
cestOr.
You have Just erected work of art of the
sculptor, who has well reproduced In marble
the inspired features of the man whose genius
discovered continent greater than the rest OF
the then known world. The Spaniards pride
themselves upon the work OF Sunol. Allow me
To anlrv M
bus and as Spanfard. Also l beg to con-
gratulate you, dear general. for the interest
you have taken In this matter, which has so
greatly contributed to its success. The Duchess
sends ner kindest regards. Believe me sincerely
your friend. VERAGUA.
To General James Grant Wilson.
Baron Fava, the Italian Minister, was
too indisposed to speak. Mrs. Julia Ward
Howe was next introduced. and read
poem written by her for the occasion en-
titled "A Mariners Dream"
In the absence of Senior Don Muruaga,
his address was read by Consul-General
Baldesanc. He said: 1T becomes the rep
resentative Of Spain. the country which
was the prime promoter of the discovery
CT America. to address on this OCCASION
the people of this great metropolis and of
the United States in a spirit of friendship
and good will. 1t is. moreover, gratifying
to the Spanish Government to behold the
Vice-President of the United States and
the great popular orator of New York
raise their voices to honor the memory of
Colum bus and to acknowledge the brilliant
and effective works performed by General
Wilson in bringing to conclusion this re-
markable and useful enterprise.
'The mind hesitates and feels bewil-
dered considering the possibilities that
might have arisen in the communities of
Europe struggling with the unknown and
uncontrollabIe problems OF labor. capital.
overpopulaion and overproductions, had
this vast continent not BEEN thrown open
to the partisans of tree thought. free work
and free government. Let this well-de-
served statue remind every man. however
excited his position may be. that he must
contribute his share of labor and worry
for the public welfare"
Chauncey M. Depew, the last speaker.