The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-06-13
VETERAN CITIZENS HOLD
INTERESTING MEETING.

Veteran Citizens The regular meeting
OF the Historical association was held
yesterday afternoon at the Mathewson
street NJ. L. church. The records were
read by the secretary and the death OF
Mr.. John Cullen. a member announced.
The Hon. N. w. Aldrich. Hon. Geo. p.
Wetmore Hon. Adm b. Capron. Miss
Mary Curtis Lee OF Va, and Mrs. l.. M.
Porter OF Washington were elected hon.
orary members and the thanks of the as
sociation given them for valuable SER
vices TO the committee while there A
committee was appointed TO nominate
those who are to serve as officers for the
coming year, President Cook then stated
that the report OF the Rochambeau COM
mittee 10 Washington now would be In
order. The committee reported first
through the secretary. In part. as follows:
The delegation reached Washington on
the 23d OF May, stopping at the Arlington.
on the oath they Joined with the thou
sands I'm the ceremonies OF the unveiling
and dedication OF the Rochambeau statue
The president with Miss Roosevelt and
Miss Carew. the diplomatic corps, SUI
preme Judge. T.. S. Senators Depew, Clark.
Wetmore and 'Hoar. Speaker Anderson
and Congressman Payne, Grosvenor and
others occupied the main stand. The mon
ument was draped In French and Ameri-
can flags, and French band played the
Star Spangled Banner" and the u. s.
Marine band "the Marseillaise."
Prayer was offered by Rev. DR.. Stafford
after which President Roosevelt. said in
part as follows: l am sure that give ut
terance TO the sentiments of every Amer
lean TO whom the honor, and glory of
our Republic are dear, when ! say, that
we prize this fresh friendship OF the
French people. because II is pleasing to
feel that after 125 years as a nation, the
French republic should feel. that we have
justified the sacrifices, France made in
our behalf
The statue was unveiled by the Countess
OF Rchambeau. after which NJ. Hamar, the
sculptor was presented Ambassador
Cambon was the next speaker General
Horace Porter, ambassador TO France.
made the next address. United States
Senator Lodge of Massachusetts,. then
gave the principal address. General
Brugere. French commander, responded,
with a closing complimentary speech.
Bishop Satterlee then pronounced the
benediction. The delegation were able on
Memorial day. with the cooperation OF
Senators Aldrich, Wetmore and Congress
man Capron 10 decorate the statues OF
Rochambeau, Lafayette, Generals Greene
and Hancock, and the graves OF the
heroes OF 81 and '65. and the Spanish
war. Mrs. Chaffee placed wreath on
the grave OF John Howard Payne. au-
thor OF Home. Sweet Home" Mount
Vernon was visited, and they received
special welcome from Miss Mary Curtis
Lee. daughter OF General Robert r. Lee
At WashnRton's church were seen his
pew, bought In 113. and service books
and a bible OF 1867. The Marshall House.
~. 4.
the Chicago Zouaves) while hauling down
the Confederate flag. was visited.
The Friendship Fire company or Alex
andra In l744 was visited. At fire
General Washington rode up and seeing
the engine poorly manned. called out TO
a group of gentlemen: why are you idle
gentlemen? IL is your business to lead
In such matters" He leaped of and
| seized the arms. and the crowd followed.
and saved the building President and
| Mrs. Roosevelt granted an interview, and
| favored them with their autographs
while at the White House.
At the close OF the report President
| Cook spoke at length on the international
| Importance OF this cordial meeting OF the
two republics and invited further COM
mittee reports. Mrs Chafree gave a
lengthy report Of the Mount Vernon visit
and read the lst deed and other papers
| IN John Washington. Mr.. j. III. Brown
| spoke OF General Rochambeau's great
generosity. In 1850 despair almost over
whelmed all. IL was tho darkest hour Of
the great revolution.
Tho people almost hopeless and dis
| spirited money valueless-
General Washlngton's little army the
only nickering hope, and even tho army
shoeless, hatless. barefoot. crossing the
ice-bound Delaware I'll clad and ill fed.
Suddenly bright. brilliant star illu-
mines the horizon. rejoicing all hearts.
IL was the French feet at Newport. The
gallant Rochambeau and his magnificent
army, fresh from brilliant victories all
over Europe. volunteers most sraciously
20 join and to be led by General Wash
ington. with his scattered. but brave aud
fearless troops in their terrible battles
for American freedom. In the history OF
the world was such generosity ever
eQualled. Clinton aud Cornwallis wero