Omaha daily bee., 1902-05-25


army of France, its regiments, it's officers
unknown, its obscure soldiery.
It is a great honor for me to speak here
as as e smpessa 10 ali Gr who are present, the gov
eminent, the magistry and the congress OF
the United States, our appreciation OF me
man who carried to closing triumph the
"Fieur de Lis of ancient France.
mission which is headed by the most emf
nent of our general officers, General Ber-
guere. We must behold in him the French
army and navy, advancing with a sort or
NATIONAL piety, to celebrate the memory
of their elders, devotees ike themselves OF
liberty.
Pledge of Union Between Nations
Hence II is that this monument, which In
appearances seems only Sest ines because
by the character of the struggle Wmcn
recalls and of the man whom 1t glorines, Is
two nations. Today, Just as they did ~
years ago, the soldiers and sailors OF
France and Of the United states stan1 sni.
they march under one and the same com.
mand; they blend in one cannon accord
mon an example of fidelity and friendship.
This friendship you have proven 70 us
The French Antilles have Just sumereu
trophe the like OF which the world had
not witnessed for twenty centuries. Ihe
president Of the United States, congress
and the American people Wed with one
and another In promptness in sending re-
me to avail myself of this solemn occasion
to thank publicly, In the name OF my gov
eminent and COUNTRY. you youTseit, ME- Mt;
President, and the entire popuiauoh OIL
these United States.
speech of Ambassador Porter.
Following the French ambassador Gen
eral Horace Porter. the United States am
bassador to France. spoke.
Two years ago T. be-. beams 5as,d my Ple Sf abs
statue of the distinguished French marshal
erected in his native city, Vendome. When
fags everywhere displayed from the house
tops, heard our national airs played through
all the streets and witnessed the touching
demonstrations of the people. without re-
gard to class, expressive ot their syn.
psthy for America, ! ielt ths and fhs s&l eHeSs
made a century and a quarter ago was
still potent for good.
beau II is an especial pleasure to par
ticipate in the Inauguration of his statue
Claim a share in the glory which ilumined
his career. His remains repose on the
banks of the Loire; II Is htting that MS
In the heart of the nations capital, in
presence, of this vast assemblage OF rep
resentative citizens Of the old world and
the new, in memory or a contest In when
French and American blood molstened the
we meet to dedicate a statue In honor OF
a hero of two continents-the hlustrious
Rochambeau.
speech OF senator Lodge.
The orator Of the day was Senator Lodge
Of Massachusetts. who began his address
as the French band concluded a selection.
Statecraft has a cynical maxim that
there is no such thing as gratitude between
nations. II We must accept this as true OF
those practical dealings when sentiment
comes into hopeless collision with SELF
interest we may at least say that no ma
ton really great will ever hesitate "a
make public acknowledgement at its obliga,
lions TO others in the past. The new world
OF North America has had a long and close
connection with the people OF France Al
the VerY dawn Of the sixteenth century
Breton fishermen had followed In the trach
OF the Cabots and were plying their danger
Gus trade on the coast of Newfoundland
Thirty years later Cartier was in the 81
Lawrence laying the foundation, OF New
France by the mighty river OF the north
Presently Il appeared that mere Was no
room enough even In the vast wilderness
of North America for the rival power o.
France and England A few shots nred bl
sundry Yirginians under the eommand o
George Washington, whose name. spring
ing forth suddenly from the
was then hrst heard In two continents, be
gan a stubborn war which ended only viii
the fall OF the French power and the ti
umph OF England and the English colonies
one Power Reigns HuPreme.
Thus was a new situation created Il
North America. Instead OF two rival pow
, ara sfrugeIinR for mastery one reiEna