Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-07-05
GLORIOUS FOURTH
IN PARIS
Statue Of Lafayette Unveiled at
the Capital Of France.
AMERICAS SCHOOL CHILDREN
Raised the Funds for the Beautiful Me
mortal to the Gallant Frenclman
Whose Name will Ever Bc immortal to
Americans Eloquent Address by Arch
bishop Ireland Poem by Frank ru;-
nam of Chicago Accepted for France
by President Loubct.

the l. =. Ambassador, General Horace
Porter, and a brilliant assemblage of
representative Frcnchmen and the
most important members of the Amer
lean colony, the statue in honor of
General, the Marquis dc Lafayette. the
git of American school children to
France was presented to the nation
by Ferdinand w. Peck. president of
the Lafayette Memorial Commission.
and was accepted by President Ioubet
in behalf of France. This latter fact
constitutes eloquent testimony OF the
Importance the French Government
attaches 10 the occasion and it's desire
to enhance the significance of the pre-
sentation by having the President OF
France assume the leading role in the
exercises, for the Minister OF Foreign
Affairs. NJ. Delcasse. was originally de-
signed. At the last moment the mat
ter was rc-considercd, and it WAS de-
clded that on the occasion of this great
FRANCO American demonstration the
chief magistrate Of the Republic was
the only lifting representative Of The
French Republic.
President Loubet. who was attired in
II frock coat with the insignia of the
high rank of Legion of Honor ut his
buttonhole stood bnrehcaded. sur
rounded by the French and American
dignitaries.
General Porter welcomed the guests.
Commissioner Peck followed
THE MANTLE DROPS.
y signal was then given and boys
representing the children of France
and America dressed in white flannel
suits and sailor hats and wearing tri-
color sashcs. pulled the strings, rcleas.
ing the American flag enVeloping the
statue.
AS the flag dropped and the heroic
statue of Lafayette Offering his sword
to the American cause was unfolded
to view. Il scene OF great enthusiasm
occurred. The whole assembly arose
chcered and waved hats, handkcr-
chiefs and American flags. while Sou
sa'S Sand played n new and specially
composed march, Hail to the Spirit OF
Liberty
When the applause had subsidized.
President Loube stepped to the front
of the Platform and again cheers
broke forth, American and Frcnchmen
uniting I'm hearty shouts OF "Vive Lou
bet" Nive La France"
PRESIDENT LOUBET SPEAKS.
The President spoke but briefly. al
luding to the traditional friendship of
the two republics, the entire audience
remaining standing uncovered until
the end of his remarks.
MIR. Thompson followed.
Then Mrs. Daniel Manning. repre-
senting the Daughters of the American
Revolution, spoke. after which General
Porter introduced Archbishop Ireland
by reading a letter from President Me
l<inlcy to the Archbishop commencing
the latter. an eminent representative
of American eloquence and patriotism
and referring to the honors paid to La
fayette ms II new link in the friendship
between the two countries.
ADDRESS OF ARCHBISHOP IRE
LAND.
Archbishop Ircland's address was de-
liVcrcd In French and was frequently
Interrupted with applause. He spoke
in part, as follows:
General Manager the Associated Press.
Archbishop Ircland's speech was in
part as follows:
Gilbert du Moticr Marquis de La
layettel Oh, that words of mine could
express the full burning love which our
revolutionary sires did bear to this
illGStrious son OF old Auvergne, OH
that | could pronounce his name with
the reverence with which my country
men across The sea wish me To pro-
nounce ii before the pcope OF France.
In America two names are the idols
of our national worship, the burden OF
ircside tale the inspiration of the
poets song. the theme OF the orators
discourse. The name of him who was
The Father of his Country-CieorCe
Washington. and the name of him
who was the true and trusty friend
of Washington, Gilbert Moticr. MARQUIS
de Lafayette.
Wealth and rank. the favor of Court
and King. high distinction in the SER
vice of his own country. the endcar-
ments of wife and child-all that ambi-
ton could covct or opportunity promise
the youth of nineteen summers put
reSolutely aside to cast his lot with a
far-off people battling against fearful
odds-and at Il moment when their for
tunes were at their lowest ebb, ana
hope had we'll nigh abandoned their
standards. When the agent of Amer
lea in France sadly confessed that he
was even unable TO furnish n ship to
carry him and other volunteers, Lafay-
cite said. Il will buy II ship and take
your men with me
Given n command In the army of
independence Lafayette was at all
times the preuX chcvalier. sans peur ct
sans reprochc a Bayard. a Dugesclin
lived again the camps and on the bat
tletieds of America.
IDOL or AMERICAN ARMY.
"By his magnanimity of soul, and
by his grace Of manner. not less than
by his military prowess. he won all
hearts and became the idol of the
American army He proved himself.
to the inmost fibre OF his soul an
American. as proud OF America as the
prouGest of her patriots. the champion
before all contestants of her honor and
her fair name. More chcerfully even
than his American companions in
arms, he bore the terrible hardships OF
the war again and again he pledged
his personal fortune to buy food and
clothing for his men. who knew him
by the familiar appellation of The
Marquis The soldiers friend In
camp and in battle his influence was
boundless; word of cheer from his
lips reused the dropping spirits of his
soldiers, word of command sent them