The Washington times., 1902-05-26
Yesterdays Gathering a
Unique and EminentIy
Noteworthy One.
DR.. MAGNlEN cELEsRaNT
Distinguished Visitors in Silent Com
munion Pay Homage TO Creator in
Church of Their Creed and Country
Cardinal Gibbons Eloquent Sermon.

dor and staff. and the members OF the
Rochamheau mission, will go down In
history side by side with the festivities
incident to the unveiling of the statue
OF the great liberty-loving Frenchman
st. Patrick's has been the scene OF
many ceremonies of historical import
ance, and under its vaulted dome have
reverently prayed many prominent men
and women wed known in both conti-
nents; but yesterdays gathering and in
cident was not only unique In every re-
spect by reason of its decidedly national
connection, but also eminently note
worthy on account OF the presence of
men who are leaders in the councils of
France. Ambassador Cambon and staff.
the personal representative of President
Loubet. the highest officers of the
French army and navy, the president of
the Sarbonne, Frances institute of sci
ence and research; the descendants of
Marshal de Rochambeau and Lafay-
cite. OF revolutionary fame, were pres
ent, and kneeling in silent communion
paid homage TO the Creator In the
vi VI AiNi Nltth
Sanctuary Beautifully Decorated.
The sanctuary was beautifully decor
Hted with palms and roses, and the
main white marble altar looked resplen-
dent in the simmer of innumerable
wax candles. special program of
music most effectively rendered con-
tributed to make the ceremony of beau
teous and inspiring moment.
Promptly at 10 O'Clock the French
mission arrived with Ambassador Cam
bon at its head. The French repre-
sentative was accompanied by his staff
and ladies and the members of tho Ro-
chanbeau mission. They were assigned
70 seats reserved for them in the center
aisles in the front Of the church. After
the distinguished visitors were seated,
The pews were thrown open TO the pub
lie, and in a very short time every
available seat was occupied.
Cardinal Gibbons, attired in the gor-
gtous red vcstments of his Office. was
seated on n throne adorned with the
color OF his dignity. at the gospel side 1
NJ the altar. He was assisted By Mon
signor Rocker. secretary of the Papal |
legation. ard the Rev. Father Dolan, OF /
ST. Patrick's Church
The Very Rev. DIR. Magnien. S. s.
said mass. with the Rev. DIR. Sollier and .
the Rev. DR.. Butin, of the Marist Col
leae CT the Catholic University. act
Ing rs deacons OF honor. The Most
Rev Or. Chapelle. apostolic delegate
to Cuba and Porto Rico. also assisted
al tue mass
igTlR Rev. Or. Stafford pastor OF St.
Pautk's, assisted by the Rev Father
Gayn'r, acted az master OF ceremonies.
and n the close OF the impressive and
beautiful ceremonies. Dr. Stafford re-
teiNed the congratulations OF the visit
ing Frenchmen and acting clergy.
Cardinal Gibbons Sermon.
Crdinai Gibbons preached a short
but decidedly impressive and pertinent
seripn, in which he dwelt on the
achievements of French genius and
arms The cardinal spoke as follows:
Sos OF France, IT is meet and prop I
er til, you should assemble in the tenn
pie Of God to give thanks to the Al {
might. for the great things which have 5
been Accomplished by your countrymen
in thishenisphere in the cause OF re-
Iieion nd utilization. ,
"Fur vertwo centuries after the dis !
!rrery of TIE American continent ,
isGnch nisspnaries crossed the seas
! nd prea,hedihe Gospel to the aborigi-
/ al inhabtant. They carried the torch q
faith h on hand. and the torch Of /
utilization IL the other. They eR- c
Jlored our lakt our rivers. and NOUN +,
aims. and theygaYe evidence that they
were men Of sqnce as well as men OF
iod by the chris OF North America '
which they forNrded TO Europe. some !
u which exist ttthis day. and are still Y
'egarded as marlls of geographical ac- c
-uracy. :
But you have lme TO the Capital Of Il
ne Nation for I. special purpose Of 0
taking part in te unyeiling of the {
statue of your III Strious countrynlal. n
Comte de RochauF PAU, whose services I
IN the cause OF AFRICAN independence !
were so signal and.o conspicuous that '
be could truly saytf the exploits ac- q
.complished; 'Quora pars Magma fun .
4 without detractit from the merits 4
his brothers in tms. ] can affirm G
| bat Roohambeau wa the flower Of the u
4snch allied army Mature in years c.
pcrienced in millty campaigns. a
| ran OF the Seven Tears War. calm. W
/ .ilberate. self-poiset he was a man a
.cordlng to Washinsn's own heart II
be general on whose tounscl and pru-
ence he could rely nre than on that
II any other command.
Rochambeau at Yorktown. OF
, d, When the America troops under y
Washington and the French forces %
snder Rochambeau werlo on the march -
o Yorktown. Washingto gallantly pro- ~
yosed TO give the post odistiaction 10 ~
tks French army. Rochnbaau grace %
fully declined the honorAnd In doing oe
80 he followed the impuh of his own De
leart as well as the getral instrue- w
fons he received from hilgovcrnmcnt al
that he should always subtdinate him
pelf to the American commander in CT
cAief 9,
"The army of Cornwall was sur :.
rounded on land by the trench and vi
American troops. and was prevented Of
lrom escaping To sea by ,e aeet Of 81
Admiral de Grasse. which iarded the ca
Bav, and thus lho defeat Wiz