The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-07-04
ACCEPTED BY FRANCE.
The Statue of Washington Erected
in PnrIs Unveiled.

u
in Paris Unveiled.
PARIS. July S.-The equestrian statu
of Washington, presented by the D1ugh
tiers of the American Revolution to t.
city of Paris. was unveiled at 1890 o'c.oci
this morning
Gen. Horace Porter, the American Am
bassador to France, received the invi.
| President Loubet. There was a great at
tendance of American visitors to the Eek
position and also from the regular co.ony
The Chamber of Deputies. the Diplomatic
Corps. and the Institute were la gely rep.
| scented.
The United States Ambassador, Gn
Horace Porter. presided, and delivered al
address. He said in French:
Fifteen years ago large number Of
the people of France. animated by their
friendship for America, sent there the i'm
posing statue executed by Bartholdi. which
is at present the most conspicuous monu-
| ment in the harbor OF New York, Liberty
| EnlighteniIg the World Today the la
dies of America present 10 he former ally
of the United States a static of him who
was the highest personitica, zion of liberty.
| the immortal Washington
| The founder of the American Republic
was always the faithful friend OF France.
| These flags, which blend so tremendously
| on this occasion, are the symbol of the
| traditional friendship by which the two
| countries are united. May they never
fail to recall the early alliance cemented
on the field of battle by the blood shed in
common for the same cause"
Consul-General Gowdy made the formal
presentation and the French Minister of
Foreign Affairs. NJ. Delcasse accepted in
! behalf of France Col. Charles ChaiIle
Long delivered, an Grafton
VI. Delcasse. in accepting the statue
said:
The thought Of offering France statue
Of the hero who was the Incarnation of the
purest virtues of his race could not but 90
to the heart ofithls country But 1t touched
1t more particularly when coming from the
American women. who unite so perfectly
vaior with grace, / beg the women of the
United States to accept, with my respect
full homage. the profound thanks of the
French nation. He whose noble image has
Just been unveiled may perhaps be cited as
an example for the world. but especially To
the citizens OF a democracy. I doubt If
another could be found in history who
could reunite in the same degree the
qualities demanded for the guidance of
free people. the will, the abnegation and
the full appreciation of the conditions nee
essary to the strength of the Government
and to the health OF the nation
In order to Judge of the will power
Washington needed. let us remember his
point Of departure-let us think of the
obstacles in his way lie had therein
powerful adversares and one more OBJ
stinate than powerful There was an in
sufiiciency of means at his disposal. mex
perience and the lack Of discipline of his
soldiers, and political divisions But he
knew what was necessary and he would
have it. He wrestled necessarily against
the enemy and against his own people At
the same time he struggled with discour
agement retempering in defeat itself his
enthusiastic faith, which left intact the
equilibrium of his judgment
Nothing was spared him. not even
temptation. The. struggle approaches it's
end, victory appears to have passed def
niteiy to the American camp. With the
aid of France, generously given and uoblv
acknowledged, independence is won. 4
solemn treaty Is about to be consecraied
Is ii true. gentlemen, that a Republic can-
not survive its triumph? Several officers
approached Washington to show him
crown. Must we glorfy him for having
turned aside his eyes? If he were here he
would not be more surprised AT our
praises than he was revolted at the pro-
posal.
Washington was as great statesman as
captain His mind was eminently prac
teal and well balanced and finds its Mace
again in this Constitution under whose
shelter the Republic of the United States
has undergone. in barely a century a
prodigious development which compels the
admiration of old Europe and which ut
the same time gives it cause for reflec-
ton. 1t has enforced a principle whose
justice is absolute. that public powers
should move in full independence. within |
the clearly defined sphere of their attri- |
buttons. by the side of parliament. whose |
decisions impose themselves supremely |
ard become the law Of the country.
when he died two nations mournrd-
the nation he had founded and the natiou
which aided him 10 found It, And tie same
crepe drapes the starred banner and fine
cockade of Lafayette today ard the same
two peoples are more united than ever and
more than ever convinced that they viii
never cease to be so. Today they celebrate
with the same hearts his memory. both a,
4 lesson and as pledge for the future.
10 not think the world could witness a
more cheering spectacle