New-York tribune., 1899-06-10
HONOR PAID TO DOUGLASS
.sTATuE OF THE NEGRO BENEFACToR
UNVEILED AT ROCHESTER.
GOVERNOR RoosEvELT's sPEECH-RECENT
CRIMES IN THE SOUTH DEPRECATED
A WARNING TO FRANCHISE
TAX OPPONENTS
TBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE. ]

tBY TELEGRAPH TO THE
Rochester, N Y. June 9-Frederick Douglass,
=, escaped negro slave, was chased from Roch-
ester 10 Canad a half-century ago by United
states marshals armed with a requisition for
his arrest issued by the Governor OF Virginia
Today a statue TO this same Frederick Douglass
vas unveiled in this city. with the accompani-
nent Of remarkable honors paid TO his memory
nv virtually all the citizens OF Rochester, black
and white. by the Governor OF the State and by
the President OF the United States Douglass
for many years was resident OF this city.
soon after his death a member Of his race, John
W. Thompson. suggested that a statue sheuld
be erected TO his memory. The proposal met
with general favor. and the subscription paper
bore the names of white. as well as black per-
sons
The statue stands upon a pedestal which was
placed in a little open space directly In front
Of the big station Of the New York Central Rail-
road. All travellers going and coming from the
city will thus observe this token Of the esteem
in which the oolored orator wss held here. The
pedestal is OF Westerly gray granite In a single
block nine feet high. and on this rests In bronze
the figure Of Douglass. The total height OF the
monument is seventeen feet. II was designed
by Sidney W Edward. On one OF the faces of
speech OF Douglass: Il know OF no rights OF
race superior 10 the rights Of humanity" HUI
rnanity" in the sense of a more humane treat
rnent OF colored men in the South was there
fore naturally the theme Of much that was said
to-day by the colored men who spoke at the
ceremonies attending the unveiling of the monu-
ment Governor Roosevelt also powerfully al
luded in a speech he made at the unveiling cere-
monies 10 the recent horrible scenes at the
South
WARNING TO CORPORATIONS.
The Governor also had another subject In
which he seemed deeply interested. Declaring
that Douglass had shown fearlessness in striv-
ing for the right ne called upon all citizens to
follow his example by exacting justice in civic
affairs The Legislature had passed the Fran
chise Tax act. he said-one OF the most benef-
cent and righteous laws that had ever been put
upon the statute books. Corporations had asked
that certain amendment be made to the origi-
nal Ford act as . matter Of justice to them, and
now that this request had been granted they are
turning around and threatening 70 defeat the
new law on the ground that this very amend
ment which they had suggested was unconstitu-
tional The Franchise Tax act has come TO
stay" the Governor declared in fiery terms. and
that If they should manage 10 secure from the
courts declaration that the Franchise Tax act
was unconstitutional "a far more drastic act'
would be passed.
ORGANIZATIONS IN THE PARADE.
The parade which followed was OF a remark
able character II comprised six divisions. the
first consisting Of the National Guard com
panies he Naval Reserves and the Grand Army
posts OF Monroe County; the second, Of eight
hundred school children in uniform and armed
with wooden guns: the third Of the members Of
beneficial organizations the fourth. six hundred
boys Of the State Industrial School. in uniform
and bearing guns. the fifth. OF colored mems
organizations, and the sixth. Of prominent citi-
zens in carriages. Governor Roosevelt showed
keen interest In the excellent marching OF
the children Of the public schools. They had all
the appearance Of members Of military organi-
zations and doubtless many recruit for the
National Guard will come from their ranks
The boys in selecting their uniform did not re-
strict themselves to that Of a soldier There
were several companies accoutred as sailors
The State Industrial School is a reform school,
but there was apparently no apprehension that
the boys would attempt 10 escape while outside
the walls OF their institution parading through
the streets Of Rochester. These boys marched
remarkably well. One Of the most interesting
features Of the parade was delegation of forty
newsboys wearing white caps and badges In
scribed with the words "Newsboys Of Roches-
ter" Those in the parade marched from the
four corners Of Rochester TO the square in front
OF the New York Central depot. where the
statue Of Douglass was resting on its pedestal.
A reviewing stand had been erected there. and
the Governor was brought to II as soon as the
last division Of the paraders had pessed the
courthouse.
TRIBUTE FROM THE PRESIDENT
The unveiling ceremonies then took place
John ". Thompson acted as the chairman He
made public letter from President Mckinley.
in which the President expressed his regret at
not being able 70 come TO Rochester. and added:
THE life Of Frederick Douglass presents many
features worthy OF the closest emulation. His
great work first for the emancipation of his
race. and, when that was accomplished, for its
Industrial intellectual and moral uplifting, will
cause his memory TO be forever cherished in the
hearts OF his people. AS editor author and lect-
urer, he labored zealously for their advance
rnent. and IT is altogether fitting that perma-
nent expression be given. in q monument raised
in his honor. Of the admiration and respect with
which his life and character are regarded by
his countrymen."
The unveing ceremonies opened with a
prayer by the Rev. DR.. Alexander Walters. Of
Jersey City. Bishop Of the African Methodist
Episcopal Church Mr.. Walters in the course
OF his prayer. said May this monument which
has been erected to the memory Of the foremost
negro OF America. be the harbinger OF the ban
ishment Of prejudices from our land. and the
dawn OF the day when character and intelligence
shan be equally recognized regardless Of color
Grant 20 His Exceiency the President Of these
United States, his Cabinet Congressman and all
rulers special favor. Give them wisdom and
courage 10 perform their duties faithfully and
especially to put stop TO the lawlessness which
Is olsgracing US as Nation" Miss Gertrude
Althea Thompson then formally unveiled the