The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-07-05
PRESENTED BY F. W. PECK
It Is Accepted for France by Loubet,
the President.
THE STATUE IS UNVEILED BY TWO LADS
They Represent the Children Of France ard
America. Addresses Were Made by Lou
bet, Peck, Thompson, Horace Porter
and Archbishop Ireland.
(By the Associated Press.)


Paris, July Am the presence of the
President of the Republic, M. Loubet; the
u. S. Ambassador, General Horace
Porter, and a brilliant assemblage of
representative Frenchmen, and the most
important members of the American col
ony, the statue in honor of General, the
Marquis de Lafayette, the gift of Ameri-
can school children to France, was pre-
scented to the nation by Ferdinand w.
Peck, President of the Lafayette Memo
rial Commission and was accepted by
President Loubet in behalf of France.
This latter fact constitutes eloquent tes-
timony of the Importance the French
Government attaches to the occasion and
it's desire to enhance the significance
of the presentation by having the Presi-
dent of France assume the leading role
in the exercises, for which the Minister
of Foreign Affairs, M. Delcasse, was origi-
nally designed. At the last moment the
matter was reconsidered and it was de-
cided that on the occasion of this great
Franco-American demonstration, the
chief magistrate of the Republic was the
Republic.
President Loubet who was attired in
a frock coat with the insignia of the high
rank of Legion of Honor at his button
hole, stood bareheaded, surrounded by
the French and American dignitaries.
General Porter welcomed the guests,
and Commissioner Peck followed in a
short address.
ri hnVS
representing the children of Franco and
America dressed in white flannel suits and
sailor hats and wearing tri-color sashes,
pulled the strings releasing the American
flag envelopng the statue.
AS the flag dropped and the heroic
statue of Lafayette offering his sword
to the American cause burst on the
view, scene of great enthusiasm oc-
Cured. The whole assembly rose, cheer
ed and waved hats, handkerchiefs and
american flags, while SouSa's band
played a new and specially composed
march Hail to the Spirit of Liberty"
when the ringing applause had sub
sided, President Loubet stepped to the
front of the platform and again cheers
broke forth, Americans and Frenchmen
uniting in hearty shouts of give Loubet,'
"Vive La France"
The President spoke but briefly allud-
ing to the traditional friendship of the
two Republics, the entire audience re-
manning standing uncovered until he fin
ished his remarks.
Mr.. Thompson also spoke.
Then Mrs. Daniel Manning, represent
ing the Daughters of the American Revo-
luton. spoke after which General Porter
introduced Archbishop Ireland by reading
letter from President Mckinley to the
Archbishop commencing the latter as an
eminent representative of American elo-
quence and patriotism and referring to
the honors paid to Lafayette as a new
link in the friendship between the two
countries
Archbishop Irelands address was deliv-
cred in French and was frequently inter
rupted by applause.
The ceremony concluded with American
melodies. finishing with ''The Stars and
Stripes Forever
AS mark of esteem a magnificent
wreath has been placed on the portrait
of the late Colonel De Villebois- Marueil,
which hangs in the Boer building at the
exposition. Attached to the wreath was
the inscription:
In honor of Colenl De Villebois- Maui
reil, the Lafayette of South Africa, from
some Americans