The Washington times., 1894-05-13
in HONOR OF COLUMBUS
Bronze Statue Of the DiscOyerer Un-
yeiled in New York City.
VICE PRESIDENTS REMARKS
It Will Be the Mecca Of the Nation. Says
Mr.. Stevenson Distinguished Gathering
Listen to 0ratory and Applaud the Statue.
The Duke Of Veragua's Letter.

statue of Christopher Columbus, executed by
the Spanish sculptor Sunol. was unveiled with
becoming ceremonies in Central Park this
afternoon. The figure represents the ocean
pathfinder in an erect position, holding
an elevated standard in one hand and
the other extended, as II making a grace
full gesture, in course Of an address. 1t Is
located at the southern end Of the "mall, I"
and almost Immediately facing that Of Shake
speare. Here the ceremonies took place, in
the presence OF q numerous and deeply In
terested gathering.
Previous to the ceremonies the committee
and their guests partook OF a breakfast at half
past o'clock, the repast being given by Mr..
and Mrs. James Grant Wilson in honor Of
Vice President Stevenson and Mrs. Stevenson.
At the table were the host and hostess, the
guests of the day. and Baron and Baroness
Fava, senor Don Muruaga, the Spanish min
lister; Col. A. Lowber Snowden, ex-minister
to Spain; Right Rev. Bishop II. @. Potter,
Admiral Gherardi, Gen. o. o. Howard, Mrs.
Julia Ward Howe, Chauncey NJ. Depew, Cor
nelius Vanderbilt. Henry C. Marquand. VIII
liam X. Grace, Thomas L. james, James j.
Goodwin, Charles F. Cox, and some ladies,
wives of those named.
Breakfast over. the party took carriages,
and under an escort OF a section OF mounted
park policei proceeded to the ground. An
immense audience greeted them, and as each
well-known ssface appeared on the platform
the appreciation in which they were held was
manifested by the gathering. In prominent
position near the platform the brilliant uni
forms of the captain and officers Of the Span
ish man-of-war Nautilus were observed, and
several of them were soon after the exercises
began. invited to seats with the speakers and
the ladies'
There was very little delay in opening the
exercises. Even before all were seated Gen.
Wilson took the chair and presented Bishop
Potter, who uttered lengthy invocation.
In introducing the Vice President Gen.
Wilson told the story of the statue, the princi-
pal point of which was that il was intended
to unveil it in 1892, and that the King OF Spain
had promised to come over and perform the
ceremony, but he died and an accident to tine
steamer delayed the figure, SO that the privi-
lege now devolved upon the Vice President
of the United States.
Mr. Stevenson performed the pleasing duty
and as the flag. futtering, fell. the applause
Of the assambiage broke forth at sight OF the
beautiful handiwork OF the sculptor. When
briefly, as follows:
the dignity of this great occasion. This hour will
live in history. From eloquent lips have fallen
burning words, which will tell TO coming ages Of
the homage paid here and now to the memory
Of the discoverer of a continent.
Central Park-beautiul and magnifcent-is
the lifting place for the statue of Columbus 1t
Is well that to the city of New York-the metrop-
oils of the coniinen;-should have fallen the
grateful task OF portraying TO the millions of all
the coming ages the features of the man, who.
despite the obstacles and dangers, marked out
pathway world.
The name and fame Of Columbus belong ex-
clIsiveiy 10 no age or country. They are the en-
during heritage Of all people Your president
has truly said "In all the transactions o: history
there IL no act which, for vastness and perform
ance, can be compared to the discovery of the
continent Of America" In the modest words OF
the great navigator, he "only opened the gates"
and 10! there came in the builders of q new and
mighty nation.
1t is said that in Venice there is sacredly pre-
served letter written by Columbus u few hours
before he sailed from Palos With reverent ex-
precision OF trust in God. humhy but with unfal-
tering faith. he spoke OF his proposed voyage
knew. His dream, while a suppliant in the ante
chamber OF kings and while keeping lonely
pathway TO the Indies. Yet who can doubt that
to his prophetic soui was then foreshadowed
something of that famous land" with the warp
and woof OF whose history, tradition and song
his name and fame are linked for all time. Was
ii Mr.. Winthrop who said Of Columbus and his
compeers, They the pioneers in the
march TO Independence, the precursors In the
only progress of freedom, which was TO have no
backward steps"
1t is too much to say of this man that among
the worlds benefactors a greater than he hath
not appeared. What page in all history tells of
deeds so fraught with blessings to the genera
tons of men as the discovery of America, Co.
lumbus added a 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 |
a1nrr fhru- ria
will come, as pilprims TO a shrine, the myriads
OF alIlands TO behold this statue of Columbus, |
this enduring monument TO the gratitude Of & |
great city, OF n great nation |
The Vice President then turned the statue |
over to the city of New York. Mayor Thomas |
receiving it in n few well-chosen words.
The Duke Of Veragua. lineai descendant |
Of the great navigator, who could not cross |
the Atlantic to participate in the ceremonies, !
sent letter, of which the following is trans |
lation:
MADRID, April 5, 1S94-My DEAR GENERAL: |
On the occasion of the unveiling of the statue of |
Columbus l beg you TO cypress my cordial |
greeting to the city of New York and to all |
American citizens, who are assembled in order |
to pay new tribute of respect TO the memory |
Of my illustrious ancestor l regret not to be |
able to assist personally in the interesting cere-
mony; but / wish to state a. this moment my
gratefulness to America which the great dis
lance that separates me from your wonderful |
country cannot make me forget
You have Just erected a work of art of the
sculptor, who has better reproduced in marble
the inspired features of the man whose genius
a continent greater than the rest of
the known world. Spain prides herself upon
artists like Sunol allow me to thank You both
IS descendant of Columbus and as Span
lard; also beg 20 congratulate you, dear gen.
eral. for the interest you have taken in this
matter which so greatly contributed TO its sue
cess. The duchess sends her kindest regards.
Believe me, sincerely, your friend,
VERAGUA
To GEN JAMES GRANT WILSON
Some remarks by Baron De Fava, the Ital-
an ambassador. followed. Julia Ward Howe |
read poem. "a Mariners Dream" written
'or the occasion, and Gen. Don M-Uruaga
spoke in Spanish. The Grafton OF the day |
'y Chauncey NJ. Depew closed the exercises.