Waterbury Democrat., 1902-05-24
ROCHAMBEAU DAY
Unveiling of Statue in Honor of
 Revolutionary War Hero.
IT WAS A BRILLIANT SUCCESS

of shington-President and CaDl-
 net at the Exercises With Many Dis
 tinguished French Visitors Countess
 De Rochambeau Drew Aside the
 Curtain Enveloping the Handsome
 Bronze Statue.
 Washington, May 24.-The president of the United States to-day joined With the official representatives of the French republic in unveiling the statue of Marshal de Rochambeau, the com patriot of Washington and the com mander-in-chief of the French forces iE America during the revolutionary war. It was an event combining many demonstrations of international good will, with French sailors from the bat tleship Gaulois mingling their cheers with American blue packets, French flags entWining their folds with the Stars and Stripes, and with oratory and music expressive of Brance-Amer- ican friendship. The ceremony of un- yelling was fixed for II o'clock this morning, but long before that hour the streets were filled with marching men and with great crowd eager to wit ness the exercises and review. A bat talion of French seamen arrived by spe- elal train from Annapolis early in the day and, headed by the crack band from the French battleship, swung through Pennsylvania avenue to La fayette square. where the shrouded fig ure of the French field marshal await ed the signal for unveiling. The Amer ican sailors, soldiers and marines had already assembled and gave their French brothers in arms a hearty wei come. The American troops were un- der command of Major General $. B. M. Young and embraced a battalion of engineers, a battalion of sailors and n arines, with the Marine band, bat talion of cavalry and of field artillery and brigade of national guardsmens of the District of Columbia. representing ir all the various branches of the United States military and naval ser vice.
 President Roosevelt and the members of the cabinet arrived at the unveiling stand shortly before II clock and took position immediately facing the draped figure. Alongside the presidential party sat the French ambassador. M Cambon, General Brugere Vice-Ad- miral Fournier and other distinguished representatives of the French govern ment. and also the Count and Countess de ROchambeau and Count de La fayette, descendants of the gallant sol diers who fought with Washington
 Cardinal Gibbons was to have opened the exercises with an invocation. but in his unavoidable absence the Rev Dr Stafford delivered an impressive opening prayer. At it's conclusion President Roosevelt stepped to the front of the platform and extended a generous welcome to the French guests.
 As the president closed his remarks. theCountess de Rochambeau drew aside the veils enyeloping the figure. bringing into view the massive bronze propor- tons of the famous French commando CT, standing proudly erect with arm outstretched directing the fortunes of war on the field of Yorktown great cheer went up from Frenchmen and American alike. and at the same in stant the Marine band broke into the inspiring strains of the Marseillaise. As the French national hymn died away. Ambassador Cambon escorted to the front of the platform the youthful sculptor, AI Hamar, who executed the statue
 Then the ambassador. speaking in french, delivered a brief address. He gaid:
 ''The art of France and the generosi- ty of an American congress are join ing this day in the erection of monu- pent to the memory of Marshal de Rochambeau. This is a fitting tribute paid to the French military leader who yoc A Independence. But a short time hence the American people had already con- secrated the glorious memory of those young and enthusiastic French patriots who, fired with an inspiration which but echoed the silent wish of the en- tire French nation. had at 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 ana who. understanding their duty. fulfilled 1t without reserve and insured the final success of the patriotic enterprise.
 In the person of ROchambeau we elorified jointly with their commander. the army of France. its regiments. it's officers unknown, it's obscure soldiers.
 '1t is very great honor for me to speak here as ambassador of the French republic and to express to you all to-day, who represent here the gov ernment. the magistracy and-llle con- gress of the United States. onr appreci- ation of the homage which you are HOW paying to the man who carried to thei rclosing triumph the 'fieur de lis of ancient France. To-day the French republic sends you a mission which is headed by the most eminent of our gen. eral officers. General Brugere We must behold in him in the French army and navy advancing. with sort of na- rfonal piety. to celebrate the memory sf their elders devotees, like them selves. of liberty.
 "Roehambeau was strict disciplin- arian. a severe and courageous com mander, careful of the lives of his men. He was wont at times to remark to the young men around him that during the long course of his military career 15.- GOO men had died under him. but that he could not reproach himself with the death of a single one of these. Thus he earned for our army the esteem of !. O