The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1895-12-05
WASHINGTON and LAFAYETTE
THE GROUP OF BRONZE STATUES
UNVEILED IN PARIS YES
TERDAY
MANY PROMINENT PEOPLE present
Presentation Speech. by Mr.. Ballard
smith. on Behalf Of Joseph Pulitzer.
the Owner-Remark By United
States Consul Morse.

Paris. Dee. 1.-Bright weather shone
an the ceremony of the unveiiins the
group of statues of Washington and Ia
fayette made by the we'll known sculptor,
Bartholdi, and presented to the city by
Joseph Pulitzer, editor of the New York
World.
A notable assemblage witnessed the
unwilling, among the company being
present was Mr.. Henry Vignaud. first
secretary of the United States embassy;
Major Francis c. Kellogg, military at
tache. and Lieutenant Z. Il. Rogers, nav
al attache of the embassy; Hon. W. +.
Duimby. United States minister 10 the
\etbcrlands: Samuel T. Morse, United
states consul general in Paris; General
Arson McCOok, VI. Freimage, designer
OF the pedestal; number OF French OIL
Gals and many ladies.
The site Of tie bronze group Is AT the
west end Of the Place d Flats UniS, in
the most fashionable quarter of Paris.
Mr.. Ballard Smith, London cores
pondent of the New York World, first
made n short speech, presenting the
group of statuary. which was greatly aP-
plauded.
He said: Il am here today as the rep
resentative of Joseph Pulitzer, who hon
Ors himself and his country in presenting
this statue OF Washington and Lafay-
ettc, kindred names in the deepest affec-
lions Of the two peoples. TO this beautiful
and historic chief city OF our sister Re
public. If be could have been here Mr..
Pulitzer would doubtless say more than
l can of the patriotism and affectlOnate
motives which inspired his gift. but we
can perhaps sufficiently interpret Mr..
Pulitzer's cardinal motive by the statue.
which is meant To he as he has written.
and speaking, as he undoubtedly may.
for all of our fellow citizens:
e Homage a Ia France en- reconnais-
sance de son Generoux Conc0urs Dams
Ia lutte du Peuple des Stats Uuis pour
IN liberte 81 Independence.
Homage 10 France in gratitude for
her generous cooperation in the struggle
OF the United States for liberty and indie
pcndence.
lIr. Smith then alluded to the fact that
il was Mr.. PulitZer's good fortune. as
editor and proprietor Of the New York
World. to inaugurate the popular sub
scription which gave a worthy PEDESTAL
10 NJ. Bartholdi'S statue of liberty enllsht-
euing the world In New York, and in con
clllsion in Mr.. Pulitzer's name he pre-
scented the group To the city Of Paris.
The military band that was present
thpreupOn played the Marseillaise.
N. Bombarde. vice president OF the
Paris municipal council, in accepting the
gift for the city, briefly reviewed the
history Of the two men thus produced
in bronze aud said that the union Of flags
under which Washington and Lafayette
stood hand in hand represented really the
union of the people Of the two republics
He hOped that the echoes Of tOday'S
hea "a nd
unite even more closely the two nations.
lie then thanked Mr. Pulitzer warmly
and also NJ Bartholdi for the manner in
which he carried ont his conception
The band then played the American
anthem.
Mr.. Henry Vignaud. secretary Of the
United States embassy. brleny offered
the excuses of United States AmbaSSG-
dor Eus.is for bis unavoidable absence
on account of illness.
Mr. Samuel Ncrse, United States con
SUI general, then followed IL an eloquent
speech.
The speaker dwelt upon Lafayette's
long and finally triumphant battle for
liberty in France.
He continued. il was = happy thought
Of . united people. citizens OF New York.
To offer to France this beautiful memo
rial and il was especially appropriate
that the work should be confded to N.
Bartholdi and that such a fitting site had
been found for it,
Mr.. Morse continued: ION behalf Of
Mr.. Pulitzer and of the American people
/ thank Paris for her generous welcome
TO the offering whose purpose is to testify
in 4 lasting form 10 the homage in which
Americans hold Lafayette and TO illus
trate again the grateful affection with
which we regard the people of our sister
republic"