New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-11-09
MR. FRoHMAN BEGINS THE SPEAKING
When all were seated Mr.. Frohmsn said:

Nnen al were seated Alr. FrOnman Sild.
have been requested to ring up the curtain upon
to-day's performance. In doing so We signa.ize the
beginning OF the completion OF your committees
labors the occasion which brings US together TO-
day is usual common The stage OF
America is adorned by many worthy and cherished
names, but there Is no one for whom We have
higher admiration or greater respect or warmer az
lection than for Joseph Jefferson (Applausel TO
give expression to these sentiments IN some mater.a
and durable form Is the object OF to-dlys tribute
which has been shared By hundreds Of Mr.. Jeffer,
States from the humbles In the land TO the high
s5t The committee desiring to take adyantase 10. Of
wished make the presentation before ne LEFT the
f fnf Gorham r Sb h the era nnabe
complete the silver trophy but they have sent US to-
b inc apxecfn b er re iT Th c wc Nm b.
completed in short time and be placed upon eXhi-
to thank the ladies OF the committee especially Miss
Alice Fischer and Mrs Augusta Kiider for their
OF the committee. who not all here to-day.
have jus; received te.egrsms from Nine Modjeska
rendering their congratulations to Nj jefferson and
10 his AUDIENCE / now take pleasure in giving place
TO Mr.. John Drew.
Mr. Drew then came forward and made a short
speech. In which he said:
| must ever be sensible Of the distinguished honor
Gone ne IN being asked 10 make the opening re-
marks inis memorable occasion. bdt fOl the sake
that the pleasant office had fallen 10 the lot Of an
ADLER than myself We here to-day 10 present
Joseph jefferson a loving cup the efiigy 81 which
stands mere. When In Cui country the art Of the
other nne and liberal arts. and when our country
shall have attained rs Eign place IN all the be-
will doth!s cup will be historic and future genera
t!ons OF Americans apprccative OF the art that he
superoly vi ought ana taught, Will point with
great a pride 10 this precious souvenir Of Joseph
Jefferson As they will 10 many another monument
TO our National greatness
THE POEM BY WILLIAM WINTER
MIR Frohman next introduced Mrs. Agnes Booth,
who read the poem written for the occasion by
William Winter. The poem as follows:
The songs that should greet him songs of the
No sigh OF the pine tree, that murmurs and
But he music Of streams rushing swift from their
fountain,
And the soft gale Of spring through the sun
spangied leaves
In the depth of the forest it woke from its slum-
His genius. that holds ev'ry heart in it's thrall,
Beside the bright torrent he learned his first num-
The thrush's sweet cadence the meadowlarks
call
Ger his cradle kind Nature-that Mother enchanted
OF Beauty and Art-cast her mantle OF grace.
In his eyes III her passion; and deeply implanted
IN his heart her strong love OF the whole human
race.
Like the rainbow that pierces the clouds where
they darken.
lie spoke-and The busy thronG halted to hsrken;
lie sniled-and the world answered back with a
smile.
Like the sun-burst OF April. with mist drifting
when in shy woodland places the daisy uprears.
He blessed evry spirit with innocent laughter
The more precious because II was mingled with
tears
Like the rose by the wayside so simple and tender.
His art was-to win us because he was true:
We thought not Of greatness. or wisdom. or splen-
We, loved hlm--and that was the whole that we
kEswi