The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-05-24


French field marshal awaited the signal
for unwilling.
The American soldiers, sailors and mar
ines already had assembled and gave their
French brothers in arms a hearty well
come. The American troops were under
Young and embraced battalion of engi-
neers, a battalion of sailors and marines,
with the marine band, battalion of cav
airy and of field artillery and brigade of
national guardsmen OF the District OF
Columbia, representing in all the various
branches of the United States military and
naval service. ..r. -..>. ~.
President Roosevelt and the members of
the cabinet arrived at the reviewing stand
shortly before II o'clock and took posi-
ton Immediately facing the draped figure.
Alongside the presidential party sat the
French ambassador, NJ. Cambon, General
Brugere, Vice Admiral Fournier and other
distinguished representatives of the
French government, and also the Count
and Countess de Rochambeau and Count
de Lafayette, descendants Of the gallant
soldiers who fought with Washington.
The. Presidents Words. ~
Cardinal Gibbons was to have opened
the exercises with an invocation, but in
his unavoidable absence the Rev. DR.. Stat
ford delivered an impressive opening
prayer. At its conclusion President Roose-
welt stepped to the front of the platform
and extended generous welcome to the
French guests. He said: - ~
Mr.. Ambassador and You, the Representa-
tives of Mighty Republic of France: I ex
tend to you on behalf of the people of the
united States the warmest and most cordial
greeting. We appreciate to the full all that
is implied in this embassy, composed of such
men as those who have been sent over here
by President Loubet to commemorate the
unwilling of the statue of the great marshal
who, with the soldiers and sailors of France
struck the decisive blow in the war which
started this country on the path of inde-
pendence among the nations of the earth
Applause.) I am sure that give utterance
to the sentiments of every citizen Of the
United States, Of every American to whom
the honor and the glory OF our republic in
the past as in the present are DEAR when
I say that we prize this fresh proof Of the
friendship Of the French people not only be-
cause it is necessarily pleasing to US to have
the friendship of a nation SO mighty In war
and so mighty in peace France has ever
shown herself to be, but because it is pecu-
liarly pleasant to feel that after a century
and quarter of Independent existence as
nation, the French republic should feel that
in that century and a quarter we have justi-
fed the sacrifices France made on our be-
half. (Applause.)
am sure my fellow citizens, that you
welcome the chance which brings it about
that this embassy of the French people
should come to our shores at the very time
when we in our turn have done our part in
starting on the path of independence a sis
ter republic-the republic Of Cuba. Gap
plause.)
Mr.. Ambassador, the American people, Pc
culiarly because the history of the United
States has been so interviewer with what
France has done for us; also because the
whole world must acknowledge in peculiar
degree the headship of France along SO many
lines in the march of progress and civiliza-
tion-the American people, through me, ex-
tend their thanks to you, and In their name
beg to express my Acknowledgements to the
embassy that has come here and to President
Loubet and all of the French nation both
for the deed and for the magnanimous spirit
that laid behind the doing Of the deed, and
thank you. cloud applause.)
The Statue Is Unveiled.
AS the president closed his remarks the
Countess de Rochambeau drew aside the
wells enveloping the figure, bringing into
view the massive bronze proportions OF
the famous French commander, standing
recting the fortunes of war on the field Of
Yorktown. A great cheer went up from
Frenchmen and Americans alike and at
the same instant the marine band broke
into the inspiring strains of the Marsel
laise. AS the French national hymn died
away, Ambassador Cambon escorted to the
front OF the platform the youthful sculp-
tor, m. Hamar, who executed the statue.
Then the ambassador, speaking in French,
delivered brief address,
NJ. Cambon Speaks.
The art of France and the generosity Of an
American congress are joining this day in
the erection Of a monument to the memory of
Marshal de Rochanlbeau. This is fitting
tribute paid to the French military leader who
tough. under Washington for Americas indie
pendence But a short distance hence. the
American people had already consecrated the
glorious memory OF these young and enthusi-
astic French patriots who. fired with an in
SEPARATION which but echoed the silent wish of
the entire French nation. had from the very
dawn Of the struggle brought their swords
with Lafayette to the service of the thirteen
colonies. It was just that honor should be
rendered also to those warriors who came
hither by order of the government of France,
and who. understanding their duty, fulfilled
1t without reserve and insured the final suc-
cess Of the patriotic enterprise. In the person
Of Rochan1beau we glorfy jointly with their
commander the army Of France, its regiments,
its officers unknown, its obscure soldiery.
It is a very great honor for me to speak
here as ambassador of the French republic
and to express to you all to-day who repre-
sent mere the government, the magistracy and
the congress of the United States, our appre-
citation Of the homage which you are now
paving to the man who carried to their clos
ing triumph the "leurs de lis of ancient
| France. To-day the French republic sends
you a commission which is headed by the
most eminent Of our general officers, General
Brugere. We mist behold in him the French