Rocky Ford enterprise., 1902-05-30
STATUE Is UNVEILED
IN HONOR OF DE RocrAMseAv.

osnt Roosevelt. His Cabinet ana
Other High ot,eiais Take Part In
ceremonies-FrAnee Represented
by . Brilliant Embassy.
Washington. May a5.-Amii the en-.
thusiastic demonstrations OF a great
eaneours. OF p-opl.. III. superb bronze
statue OF Gen. Count de Itoehamteau.
who thought Ill. forces Of France
across III. s.a In ia. hour of greatest
peril In the American revolution. was
unveiled yesterday.
Seldom has an event presented SO
many brilliant features of military
paseantry aud Mt III. sam. time given
occasion for III. manifestation OF tho
strong bonds OF friendship existing t's,-
tween the French Republic nnd tho
United States. For III. iirst tim. In
III. history Of the national capital wit.
nss.-- III. sight Of rank upon rank Of
French s-nfn-n swinging through Penn
syivnnia avenue and minsiin. their
cheers with those of IN. American blu.
Jackets and soldiers. while at the same
time tn. French irlcoiors w-re ca.
twinri with the Starr nni Stripes. and
the sound Of the '.Mnr-.iini-.'" was
hcnri along with III. Star spanIicd
Hammer"
III. ceremony OF Gnvciiins occurred
At the southwest corner Of Lafayette
s.Iuar,. almost directly opposite the
Whit. iious-. wh-r- the massive fi.uro
OF III. French general has been erected.
Surrounding the fisurc w-r- great
stands To accommodate the many dis.
iinsui-hc,i officials nni guests invited
To inL. part In the exercises On every
hand III. coiors Of France AMI America
were blended. one stand i-'inr hung
with grrat folds Of r-i. another with
white aud stiii another with blue.
witnin this amphiih-aicr wc- gath.
erred representatives of every branch of
the government. Including I'll. rr-si'
dent Of the United States. nnd mem.
hers OF his cabinet. the chief Justice
nnd associate Justices OF the tnii'si
States Supr-m. Court. the lieutenant
general OF the army and the admiral OF
the navy. senators and representatives.
Not less distinguished was III. rep
rrscnfntion OF frunc,. designated by
President Loubct and Including Gen.
crni Brur-rc. the highest Held officer
In the French army: Vice Admiral
Fournicr. Inspector general of tho
French navy: the venerable general.
Count Chninndar. the descendants Of
Rochnmicau hni Lafayette: aud 9th.
crs distinguished In French military.
official. literary and artistic life. With
them were the French ambassador. NJ.
Cnmbon. and the entire stan OF tho
French embassy. nli In brilliant iiplo.
mniic uaiform while the diplomatic
corps was represented by the German.
Russian. Italian and Mexican nmbarsa-
dor- and the minister from many for
cign countries.
A bat,aiinn Of French scnmcn ar
rived from Annapolis early In the day
and, headed by the crack band from
the French batticship. swung through
Pennsylvania avenue to Lafayette
square. where the shroudcd figure Of
the French field marshal awaited the
signal for unvciling. The American
soldiers. sailors and marines already
had assembled and gave their French
brothers In arms hearty welcome.
Rev. Dr. Stafford delivered nn I'm.
prcssivc opening prayer. At Its CON
ciusion President Roosevelt stepped to
the front OF the platform and extended
n generous welcome to the French
guests.
As the President closed his remarks
the Countess De Rochnmbcau drew
aside the wells cnveloping the figure.
bringing into view the massive bronze
proportions OF the famous French CON-
mander. standing proudly erect with
arm outstrctched, directing the for
tunes OF war on the field OF Yorktown.
a great cheer went up from French
men and Americans alike and nt the
same instant the marine band broke
into the inspiring strains Of the Mar
scllaisc". As the French national hymn
died away. Ambassador Cnmbon cs-
corted to the front of the platform the
youthful sculptor, NJ. Hamar. who exc
cuted the statue. Then the nmbnssn-
dor. speaking In French, delivered
brief address.
The Grafton of the day was delivered
by Senator Lodge Of Massachusetts. He
gave graphic sketch Of the work of
De Rochnmbeau and the French army
in aid Of the American cause and In
closing said:
I'VE unveil this statue in honor of
n brave soldier who fought by the side
of Washington. We place 1t here to
keep his memory fresh in remembrance
and as a monument of our gratitude
to France. But let us not forget that
we also commemorate here the men
who first led in arms the democratic
movement which during n century of
conflict has advanced the cause Of free
dom and popular government through
out the world Of western civilization"