The Washington times., 1902-05-25
Gen. Horace Porter Speaks.

Ambassador to France. made an ad-
dress.
Gen. Horace Porter Speaks.
General Porter spoke as follows:
Two years ago Il became my pleas
ant duty to take part in the dedication
of the statue o. the distinguished French
marshal erected in his native city. Ven
dome. When. upon that occasion. saw
our country's flags everywhere displayed
from the housetops. heard our national
airs played through all the streets. and
witnessed the touching demonstrations
of the people. without regard TO class.
expressive of their sympathy for Ameri-
ca. felt that the effect of the treaty CT
/ friendship and alliance made century
and a quarter ago was still potent for
good
Upon returning from the land o'
,ochambcau, 1t Is an especial pleasure
participate in the inauguration OF
lis statue in the land OF Washington
| Two countries claim share in th~
| ;lory which illumined his career His
-ema:ns repcsc on the banks Of thr
.cire: it IS fitting that his statue SHOULD
itand on the banks OF the Potomac.
=. In the heart OF the Nations Capital,
N the presence of this vast assemblagc
Of representative citizens Of the old
World and the New. in memory Of a
.ontcst in which French and American
blood moistened the same soil in bat
Ting for common cause. we meet to
| dedicate q statue in honor OF a hero of
| two continents-the illustrious Rocham-
| beau.
Record of Imperishable Deeds.
cts purpose is TO recall the record
Of imperishabIe deeds. to testify that
his name is not dead memory. but
living reality; to quicken our sense Of
appreciation. and emphasize the fidelity
OF our affection. In erecting yonder
statue in honor OF this great represent
alive soldier. America has raised con
structively a monument to the memory
OF every Frenchman who fought for
the cause OF her national Independence.
Its dedication celebrates the joint vic
tory which terminated a struggle that
gave freedom to the American colonies
and consecrated all the New World
eventually to liberty and the rights OF
man.
ITO fully appreciate the gcnunencss
OF Rochambeau's character. as exempli-
he'd in his American campaign. we must
rocollect that he was n member of the
old French nobility and the wearer OF
decorations bestowed by royal hands, yet
coming here TO gain battles in the in
terest of advanced republican principles
II was not his own country Tor which
he was fighting; he had no intention If
remaining here to share in the psosp, r
ity which would follow success: he.
therefore. did not have the powerful
stimulus of patriotism to animate him
He came to our shores with proud
army, handsomely equipped. brilliantly
uniformed. and disciplined IN the rigid
school OF leading military power of
the Old World. TO find himself associ-
atcd with the modest yeomanry of the
colonies. who constituted the American
forces. who were not supplied with
clothing enough TO cover their honor
able wounds, and the march oi whose
shoeless battalions could be traced by
the blood which flowed from their LAGER
ated feet.
Struggles of Rochambeau.
Frequent communication with France
was impossible. and Rochambeau had
been given almost unrestricted liberty
Of action Under these circumstances {;
man with less modesty and magnanimi-
~ of character and a less earnest spirit
Of accommodation might have been
overbearing. arrogant and indisposed &c
look with favor upon plans presented
~ the American commander. but h,
manifested from the outset an undis-
guised willingness TO adopt all measure:
which might facilitate the joint militar!
operations upon tbs difficult theater o
war. and sank all considerations otho'
than those which would conduce TO In
complete success of the allied armies.
I'm all their intercourse the two re
iowned commanders showed themselves