The herald., 1897-05-16
THE GREAT
AMERICAN
Is H0nored by the Men He
Made Free
BRONZE M0NUMENT ERECTED
TO THE soLDIER-sTATEsMAN
WASHINGTON
BRONZE NUMENT ERECTED
"Childless, He Died the Father Of a
People Who Delight to Do
Him Honor"
Associated Press Special wire.

PHILADELPHIA, May 15.-In the
city which placed on his brow the laurel
crown Of achievement, the memory OF
George Washington was honored today
in monumental bronze. The cord which
released the flags from the figure of the
first President was drawn by its latest
executive. Surrounding him were men
in whose veins runs the blood Of those
patriots who battled shoulder to shoul.
der with Washington, and with him
made possible the scene enacted today
It was notable gathering, including
the President, Vice-President and Cabi-
net officers. officers and privates Of the
army and navy, and direct descendants
Of the mouldere and makers Of the ma
ton.
Major William Wayne, president of
the Cincinnati Railroad, who formally
presented the monument to the city
traces his lineage straight to Mad An
thony. and William B. Porter, the
orator Of the day, is a grandson of Rit-
tenhouse Porter. twice Governor OF
Pennsylvania, and great grandson of
Andrew Porter, who was on Washing
tons staff.
The actual unveiling ceremony was
|impressively simple. Bishop Whitaker
opened with prayer. Major Wayne fol-
lowed with an appropriate address. Then
came the unveiling by President McKin-
ley, and the resultant clamor, augment
ed by a national salute of twenty-one
guns by the artillery, and by the foreign
and American war vessels in the Della
vuyor .fx
Kinley spoke briefly.
The president and party at 1:15 o'clock
were escorted from the hotel to car
riages in waiting. The carriages took
their places In the procession, which was
opened all along the line to permit the
passage of the vehicles bearing the party
The city troop acted as honorary escort
| to the party. All along the line the
president was given an ovation, thous-
ands Of people massed along the side
walks and the various stands cheering,
waving hats and handkerchiefs as the
presidents carriage passed them. The
president acknowledged the greetings
by bowing and raising his hat. The
scene at the monument during the wal.
for the presidential party was an ami
mated and picturesque one. Immediately
in front Of the large stand of the Society
Of Cincinnati was small enclosure
handsomely decorated, and It was from
this that President Mckinley spoke. 1t
was just 1 o'clock when the force of
mounted police lined up to the eastern
end of the enclosure and a moment later
Gov. Hastings and stan, all mounted,
rode up. Meantime the parede was
marching toward the park. Headed by
Major-General Snowden as marshal, the
troops reached the terminus of Spring
Garden street, half a block from the
monument, and there formed a line
through which the president and his
party were to pass.
A mighty roar heralded the arrival
of the presidential party. They came in
closed carriages, escorted by the First
city troop of Philadelphia. The presi-
dent uncovered In acknowledgment Of
the reception accorded him and entered
the stand. Surrounding him were the
vice-president and the cabinet officers
Close to the presidential party was Gov
Hastings and his staff officers, Arch
bishop Ryan and Bishop Whitaker, side
Coleman of Delaware.
&AdyOk 0tAOn6 VI 4NGW 4OIk CuatleQ
with Mayor Warwick Of this city. Di-
rectly back of the president sat the
members Of the park commission, into
whose custody the monument is today
delivered. There was but a brief delay
before the beginning of the ceremonies.
Bishop Whitaker stepped to the speak
er's table and offered a brief prayer.
Then Major William Wayne, presi-
dent Of the State and National Society
Of the Cincinnati, made brief address
This occupied but few moments.
Then Major Mckinley arose, accom-
panied by the trustees of the statue.
They then crossed the driveway. Every
eye was strained to the huge statue ap-
parelled in the stars and stripes, Then
the president with uncovered head, drew
the cord, the flag falling in a billowy
cloud from the shaft and the mighty
monument stood revealed, while cannon
on land and water thundered. In mo-
ment 1t was over. The president was
escorted back to the stand and as soon az
silence could be secured, he made an
address. He said in part:
Fellow Citizens: There Is a peculiar
and tender sentiment connected with
this memorial. It expresses not only
the gratitude and reverence Of the living
but is testimonial Of affection and hom-
age from the dead.
"The comrades of Washington pro.
jected this monument. Their love in
spired 1t. Their contributions helped to
build 1t. Past and present share in its
completion and future generations will
profit by its lessons
ITO participate In the dedication of
such monument is rare and precious
privilege. Every monument to Wash
ington is tribute to patriotism. Every
shaft and statue to his memory helps to
inculcate love Of country, encourage
loyalty and establish better citizen
ship. God blese every undertaking
which revives patriotism and rebukes
the Indifferent and lawless."
He eaid, in conclusion: The bequest
Washington has made to civitisation il
rich beyond computation. Thopo obli-
cations under which he has placed man