The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1900-07-05
Monument to Lafayette Erected by
the School Children of the
United States in Paris.
RECEIVED BY THE PRESIDENT.
Impressive Ceremony Witnessed by
Enthusiastic CrOwd-Speechcs
by LOubet. Archbishop Ire
land, Peek ana Porter.

sentative Frenchmen and the most prom
I nent members Of the American colony here
Inc statue I'm honor of General the Marqui
| de Lafayette. the gift Of the America
school children TO France. was presented I
the nation by Mr.. Frederick W. Peck. presi
| dent OF the Lafayette Memorial Committee
| and was accepted by President LouSet 4
behalf of France. This latter fact consti
tutes eloquent testimony of the importanc
the French Government attached TO the oc
cssion and ito desire to enhance the sig
nificance OF the presentat:ca by having tn
President Of France assume the leading roll
In the exercises. for which the Minister o
Foreign Affairs. NJ. Delcasse, was original,
designated At the last moment the matte
was reconsidered and il was decided that y
the occasion of this great F'ranco-Americar
demonstration. the Chief Magistrate of ~,
Republic was the only fitting representativ,
of the French Republic. The exercises wer,
according to the programme. with the ex
ception that President Loubet took the part
assigned TO NJ. Delcassc. The monument
was unveiled by two boys representing the
school children of France and America
Gustave Hennocque, great-grandson % the
Marquis de Lafayette. and Paul Thompson
son OF the protector OF the monument
After a few words by Paul johnson and
the reading OF the dedicatory poem by Miss
Noss. representing the Daughters Of the
American Revolution. Archbishop Ireland
delivered an address. and Mrs. Daniel Man
ming spoke on Lafayette and the Daughters
OF the American Revolution
Site of the Monament
Tho morning broke with bright sunshine,
OufuOuS Tn,
snce Happily. the heavy clouds passed
on after sprinkling of rain had fallen
and before the exercises began at 1870
o'clock. The American flags and trophies
IN French and American coiors were dis
played on numerous buildings and over
American houses throughout, Paris. and tn.
stars and Stripes floarei from the pinnacle
OF the Eiffel Tower. thus dominating the
whole city. The location OF the monumen.
Is within small railei-ir garden which
henceforth will be known as Lafayette
Square. and which lies In the center OF
the quadrangular Place du Carrousel
The latter is surrounded on three sides
by the Palace Of the Louvre and divides Il
from the gardens OF tie Tu,leries A spe-
cia!Iy erected barrier cut off the Place ,Iu
CSrrousel and only ticket holders were al
lowed TO pass. Within Lafayette Square il
seit. amid trees whose foliage formed q
"A
cuiar grand stand, which was entirely
drsped with crimson cloth, and In a space
IN the middle rose the statue of LAFAYETTE
ehVeioped In the folds Of the American flag
Inc "hoie square and the Louvre were
profuseiy decorated with bunting and de-
tachments of Republican guards, mounted
ara on foot. We're stationed around and
nhco the entrance TO the square. The en-
tre body of American exhibition guards. in
their white helmets. assisted In maintain
hs order. and acted as Lshers.
Inc scene within the amphitheater was
most striking and picturesque. The rising
ueIs OF seats were filled with about zoo
invited guests, large proportion OF whom
were ladies', whose handsome costumes
greatly contributed TO the color effects
a portion OF the stand was reserved for
fiesidenf Loubet. the Cabinet members ana
oiher French Ministers. Ambassador Por-
H Ter, the diplomatic corps. Commissioned
feck. Assistant Commissioner Woodward,
Major Bracket, Secretary Of the Commits
sion. the national Commissioners. Ambassa-
oor Draper OF Rome, Minister Beilamy
ris of Vienna
President Loubet was given the seat OF
honor in the center OF the front row having
General Porter on his right ami Commis
sioner Peck on his left. in the same row
we're the papal nuncio. Mgr Loren
form In front was a tribune for the speak
ers, draped with the American and French
Tags: Beneath IL. standing on either sid.
~ me static. were an American soldier
1ho saiior. bearing the Stars and Stripes
10 the left sat Sousas Band.
Elaborate Exercises.
a poem by Frank Putnam, dedicated 10
ne occasion. was next read by Miss Tar
iuIna |. Voss.
AT the conclusion of the reading of the
'oena' General Porter entered the tribune,
lhd; IN introducing Archbishop ireland,
cad the following letter. received by the
from President Mckinley:
Executive Mansion. Washington June |
], 1Soo-Dear Sir; Within a few days l |
which voices in fitting terms the profound |
ympathy with which our people regard the |
,resentation to France by the youth OF |
lnerica of a statue OF General Lafayette.
I has given me much pleasure to learn |
haE you have been selected TO deliver the 1
ddress on this most interesting occasion.
can eioiuence and patriotism could have |
zen chosen, and none who could better |
i've appropriate expression 10 the senti- |
nents Of affection which bind our people to
france.
Il Will be grateful II you say how We /
onor In a national capacity the statue OF \
lafayette erected by the French people.
nd convey my hope that the presentation
( a similar memorial of that knightly sol |
Ter whom both Republics are proud to
laim. may serve as a new INK OF friend
hip between the two countries and a new
Incentive to generous rivalry In striving for
he good OF mankind. Very sincerely. yours.
WILLIAM MCKINLEY"
Archbishop IrelanG's speech.
Archbishop Ireland's address was delivered
n French and was frequently interrupted
y applause. He spoke in part as follows:
Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Laiayettei
IN. that words of mine could express the
ull burning love which our revolutionary
Tres did bear TO this illustrious son Of old
Iuvergnei Oh, that | could pronounce his
anne with the reverence with which my
ountrymen across the sea Wish ne 10 pro-
ounce II before the people OF France. In
america two NAMES are the idols of our !
ational worship, the burden OF firesde tale
he inspiration of the poets song. the
heme of the orators discourse: The name
Z him who was the Father of his Country |
George Washington; and the name of him
no was the true and trusted friend of
"a shington-Gilbert Motier. Marquis de
lafayette
This is the age of the people. Every dec
lie will mark new advance In the trium-
hant march of democracy. Political move
rents do not go backward; the people do
OF abandon except under duress, and then
My for a time rights OF which they We're
nee possessed. or the power wnich they
ave once welded to maintain and enlarge
hose rights To seek for arguments against
In its apparent perils Is waste
time. The part OF true craftsmanship is
, study the perils such as they may be
nd take measures 10 avsrt tnem. The
no would rule must rule through the peo-
lie. through the individual men who con-
itute the peopIe To obtain results in the |
vii ard political world he must go to the
,nscience and thus enlist his sympathies
nd win his Intelligent co-operation-- He
'ho does this will succeed He who uses
her methods fails The task for those who
ouio rule men is made moe dnichlt- The
waved nv sGo-d or procla ma ton. But |