New-York tribune., 1900-07-05
IN MEMORY OF LAFAYETTE
UNWILLING OF THE GREAT FRENCH
MANS STATUE IN PARIS
GIFT OF SCHOOL CHILDREN OF AMERICA
ACCEPTED ON BEHALF OF FRANCE
BY PRESIDENT LOUBET.


oassador. General Horace Porter. and a brilliant
assemblage of representative Frenchmen and the
most prominent members of the American colony
here the statue in honor of Lafayette. the gift of
American school children 10 France, was presented
to the nation by Ferdinand W Peck president
Of the Lafayette Memorial Commission and was
accepted by President LOubet in behalf Of France
The exercises were according TO the programme
with the exception that President Loubet took the
part assigned TO NJ. Delcasse. The monument was
unveiled by two boys representing the school chill
dren Of France and America-Giustave HeunocQue
great grandson Of the Marquis de Lafayette and
Paul Thompson, son of the protector of the monu-
The morning broke with bright sunshine. but
omnous clouds soon put in appearance and by
1870. the hour fixed for the opening of the exer-
cises, the sky overcast and the guests who
had begun to arrive about 10 o'clock and who
mostly tempted by the beautiful weather. came
without umbrellas, now looked regretfuly at their
fragile gowns and mrror-like silk hats
At time few drops of rain fell and the Off
cias hastily sought the loan of umbrellas for the
President and the front-row personages, but hap
PLY the heavy clouds passed off without further
sprinkling.
American flags and trophies in French and Amer
lean coors displayed numerous buildings
and American houses throughout Paris
and the Parisians waking found the Stars and
Stripes floating from the pinnacle of the Eiffel
Tower thus dominating the whole city.
LOCATION OF THE MONUMENT.
The location OF the monument is within small
raied-in garden which henceforth will be known
as Lafayette Square, and which lies in the centre
of the quadrangular Place du Carrousel- The lat
ter is surrounded three sides by the Palace Of
the Louvre. and divides it from the Gardens of the
Tueries. A specially erected barrier cut of the
Place du Carrousel and only ticket-holders were
allowed to pass. Within Lafayette Square itself,
amid trees whose foliage formed a refreshing back
ground. built a circular grandstand, which
entirely draped with crimson CLOTH and in a space
in the middle rose the statue of Lafayette envel-
oPed IN the folds Of the American flag. The whole
square and the Louvre were profusely decorated
with bunting. and detachments OF Republican
Guards mounted and foot, stationed
around and lined the entrance 10 the square. The
entire body Of American Exhibition Guards, in
their white helmets, assisted in maintaining order
and acted as ushers.
The scene within the amphitheatre was most
striking and picturesque, The rising tiers Of seats
filled with about 1000 invited guests, a large
proportion Of whom were women whose handsome
costumes greatly contributed to the color effect
A portion OF the stand was reserved for President
Loubet. the Cabinet Ministers and other leading
French officials Ambassador Porter. the DipIo-
matte Corps, Commissioner Peck, Assistant Com
missioner Woodward. Major Brackett. secretary OF
the Commission; the National Commissioners.
Ambassador Draper, Of Rome; Minister Belamy
Storer. of Madrid, Ambassador Charlemagne Tow
er. of ST. Petersburg. and Minister Harris of
Vienna President Loubet was given the seat of
honor in the OF the front row, having Gen
eral Porter on his right and Commissioner Peck
his left. In the same were the PapaI Nuncio.
NOnsignOT LorenzelH. and Archbishop Ireland On
the platform in front a tribune for the speak
ers draped with the American and French flags.
Beneath IT, standing either side of the statue,
were an American soldier and sailor bearing the
Star and Stripes. To the left sat Sousa's band
The American Military and Naval Attaches.
Ea{ar and PaLa
stone, entered just before the hour OF opening
escorting Mrs. Daniel Manning and Mrs Potter
Palmer moment later a fanfare Of truupets
outside announced the arrival OF the President of
the Republic. who drove from the Elysee in pair
horse landau, without an escort. As ne entered
the amphitheatre Sousa's band played the Mar
seillaise" General Porter and Commissioner Peck
met and escorted the President 10 the platform
The band then played The Star SpangIed Banner
The entire assembly uncovered while the national
anthems were being played.
GENERAL PORTER's ADDRESS
General Porter advanced to the tribune and well
coined the guests in the following words;
In the name of the school children Of the United
the erection Of the Imposing statue whca IS about
ment Which ADDED so berai onation m our to tS f1d
| extend TO all here present a cordial welcome
ttrtn' WITHIN sight or yonder memorable concourse
OF the nations, in the presence of this vast assem-
old World and the New. and in memory of strug-
& III MIllcH IeucIi anq american oloou nolsteIled
cause. II is fitting occasion upon which
solemnly dedicate monument in honor of hero
Of two continents. the immortal Lafayette. This
statue Is gtft from the land of his adoption 10
record of his mperishable deeds. TO testify that
ity; TO quicken our sense OF apprecation and en-
phasize the fidelity of affection recital of
inetst His Services W ttest his worth Efe bonorsd M
agp in vi ba we'd nd inns
will be iIlumined by the brightness of his fame.
The following portion Of the Generals address was
delivered in French;
I extend a cordial greeting 10 all who have gath
International importance Americans do not fail 10
appreciate profoundly this evidence Of sympathy ny
rench Republic and the eminent representatives
occasion and adds distinction 10 the ceremonies.
We assemble here upon an anniversary Of the
birthday Of the American Gnlon 10 unTeu
statue which the school children Of the United
10 WITH T in 6attiins for our Na
tlonal independence. This monument is the tribute
who had the rare good fortune 70 be the hero Of
two countries and who was the highest PersonihCa-
tion of the great principle Of liberty secured by
law a man who. in America well IN France.
at a I'm lines ost spd bepo an sace P W4S Ebenerer br 10
needed aid or weakness called for help the friend
During The sanguinary struggie WHICH resulted @ IN
were some who gave TO the cause their sympatnies;
others part of their means. but Lafayette shed
MAS s ho6ored e By the aeetoD Of his American com
rades: dead he is enshrined IN the hearts of their
posterity. In erecting this statue to this great
representative soldier America has at the same
time raised a monument to the memory of every
Frenchman who fought for the cause OF our Ma
tional independence May the presentation Of this
gift and the good wishes which accompany it
strengthen between the two great sister republics
the bonds of friendship which have long united
them and which nothing should be permitted TO
weaken.
SPEECH BY COMMISSIONER PECK.
Commissioner Peck made the presentation speech.
saying. in part. follows:
In thus eulogizng thy son, do not forget. Q.
France thy generous gift in our hogC OF need We
do not forget that of thy treasuRA carne timely