The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-01-18
STATUE OF WEBSTER.
StiIsOn Hutchins' Gift to the
Country is Unveiled.

Washington. Jan. ia distinguished
gathering of public officials, including
President Mckinley and his entire cab
met. representatives of the senate and
house of representatives, the judiciary
of the United States supreme court and
other branches of public life. participa-
ted today in the exercises attending the
unwilling of the colossal bronze statue
of Daniel Webster, executed by the
Italian sculptor, Trentanove. and pre-
sented to the United States by Mr..
Stilson Hutchins, of this city.
The statue occupies position on Scott
circle, but prior to the actual unwilling
the ceremonies of presentation and ac-
ceptance were held at the Lafayette
Opera House. The president occupied
seat at the front of the stage and back
of him sat Secretaries Hay, Gage, Root,
Long, Hitchcock, Postmaster General
Emory Smith, Attorney General Griggs,
Secretary Wilson and Private Secretary
Porter Others on the stage were Gov
ernor Crane of Massachusetts, accom-
panied by his adjutant general and his
aides, Chief Justice Fuller, Justices
Harlan, White and Gray; Senators
Hoar, Lodge, Chandler. Allison, Bacon,
Fairbanks, Proctor. Tillman, Represen-
tat1veS Cousins, Clarke and others iden-
titled with the exercises and with the
states which share the honors cluster
ing about the illustrious Webster.
Major General Miles and other repre-
sentatfveS of the army, of the navy and
of the diplomatic corps, added to an
assemblage of unusual distinction. The
marine band occupied the orchestra.
AS the president and cabinet came
upon the stage the entire audience rose,
while the band played Hail to the
Chief"
After an eloquent prayer by the chap
lain of the senate, Rev. DR.. Milburn,
Senator Chandler in behalf of the two
branches 0f road NJ mr. h
ms presentation letter and added a
brief but glowing tribute to the states
manship, the oratory and the patriot
ism of Webster
Secretary Long then accepted the
statue in behalf of the United States.
Secretary Long said: To George
Washington and his associates who in
1855 framed the federal constitution we
owe that great paper. 1t bound the
thirteen important colonies into a I'M
ion and created the United States of
America In 1t they gave US the ample
letter and frame of government.
To the overwhelming arguments
nearly half century later of Daniel
Webster in the senate and the lumi-
nous judgments of John Marshall on
the bench we owe it's development by
Interpretation and construction into the
great charter of powers which now con-
stitute the national authority. They
illuminated it's letter with the national
spirit. They breathed into its frame
the life of national sovereignty. In the
momentOuS debate which at that time
they precipitated over the measure of
its grant power. a debate of giants
the issue was between the limitations
on the one hand which would have mar
rowed the growth of the young repub-
lie and endangered the union and on
the other an expansion which insured
the indissolubility of the union and let
free a republic to its largest develop
ments.
AS they prevailed so they made the
republic indissoluble by internal con-
vulsions and equal to the emergencies
of the future which confronted them
or which confrontS US. The statue of
one of them, the great jurist. in serene
dignity of his high office already
adorns the front of the capitol. To-day
we dedicate the statue of the other great
expounder of the constitution and de-
fender of the United States and the
foremost lawyer, orator and statesman
mon political literature of his country
men, come to the tongue like passages
from the poets or the psalmists.
4 am deputed by the president to
commentaries and of the gift thus
added to the reproductions in enduring
bronze of those to whom He has said
well done.
Secretary Longs remarks were
warmly applauded and then amid an
other outburst of applause Senator
Lodge deliver dethe Grafton of the day.
The formal ceremonies concluded
with a benediction of Rev. Mr.. Couden,
chaplain of the house.
The president and most of the other
distinguished guests then proceeded to
Scott Circle, where at 10 o'clock the
statue was unveiled.
The drawing of the veil was per-
formed by Jerome Bonaparfe, a great
grandson of Webster, assisted by Mrs.
Hutchins and Miss Katherine Deering
DEANuEC DEnUIE