The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-06-12
Gift of American PhySi-
clans to American
People.
PRESIDENT ACCEPTS IT
Simple Ceremonies at the
u. s. Naval Museum of
Hygiene Yesterday.

Upon the spacious and gently sloping
lawn in front of the United States Ma
val Museum of Hygiene and Medical
School, at the foot of Twenty-third
Street. and in the presence Of the Presi-
dent Of the United States. the members
Of the American Medical Association,
and company OF distinguished citizens,
there was unveiled yesterday afternoon
a handsome bronze statue Of DR.. Benja-
min Rush. the great physician. patriot
and philantnropist Of Revolutionary
times. The statue IS the gift OF the
American Medical Association TO the
American people, and was received and
accepted for them by the President Of
the United States. This association has
been in session during the past week At
Atlantic City, and the members came
over to Washington yesterday TO partici-
pate in the unveiling of this memorial
to one Of the foremost of the pioneers Of
their fraternity in America.
The ceremonies We're simple but APP
propriatc to the occasion and impress
sive. adding as they did one more monu-
ment at the National Capital to the
memory Of American patriots. 1t stands
at tho extreme front OF the lawn facing
ncrthward and overlooking Twenty
third Street. About the statue which
was shrouded in a blanket OF white
there was erected a temporary platform
In semi-circle, which was occupied by
the members and guests OF the assOcia-
ton. company numbering several hun
dred persons. Some distance back OF
the stand was stationed the Marine
Band, which. under the direction OF
Prof sautelmann. rendered national
e..Ft . = ~e.Na -.
veihng ceremor rs.
The President Arrives.
The beginning OF the exercises was
set for O'Clock and It was only few
minutes after that hour when the
Presidents carriage entered the grounds
The President was accompanied by Mrs
Roosevelt and Assistant Secretary
/ Barnes. He was met at the door Of the
Museum by DR.. J. II. Musser. Of Phila-
delphia, the president OF the Associa-
ton; DR.. L. s. McMurty. of Louisville.
the incoming president; Or. George II.
SimOns. the secretary OF the assOcia-
! ton; DR. J. c. Wilson, DR. Frank
Billings. and others. who, after a cor
dial exchange of greetings with the
President. escorted him to the platform
The bapd played America" as the
President entered the grounds and
made his way to the stand The cere-
monies were begun by DR. Musser, who
| in short address introduced DIR. J. H
Wilson. Of Philadelphia the orator Of
the occasion. In doing so DR.. Musser
made brief reference TO the life and
character of the distinguished Revolu-
tionary patriot, and said that although
there was one act Of his whi.h should
not be condoned. ne nevertheless stood
a giant among the heroes OF the Reyo-
luton. and notwithstanding his weak
ness was one Of whom. not only his
profession, but all Americans had Just
reason to be proud
May we so live" he said. that for
all time we may show by thought and
act that in placing this tribute 10 this
nero OF the Revolution we are honoring
ourselves far more than we can honor
him"
The Statue Unveiled.
Just as Dr. Wilson arose TO deliver his
address the rope which held the shroud
about the bronze was pulled and the
covering fell gently away, revealing the
Hfe-like statue of the man whom the
medical profession Of the entire coun-
try delights to honor as the pioneer
physician OF America. Applause greeted
in folds at the base Of the monument
the band played the national air.
DR.. Wilson's euIogium was eloquent
of the patriotic and humanitarian deeds
of DR.. Rush. He prefaced his remarks
by Il statement in brief Of the history
Of the effort 20 erect the monument
The movement was started. he said
twenty years ago, and of the original
committee formed, only one is now
aIive-Dr. S. G. Gordon, OF Maine. AS
firally completed. ne said the statue
was more elaborate than at first con-
templated. Nearly a century had
passed. ne said. since DR.. Rush was
gathered to his fathers He had his
virtu and his faults. but he was a
good citizen and a skillful physician.
kindly and benevolent; he was further
mere a patriot and a philanthropist.
Sketch of DR.. Rush.
DIR. Wilson then proceeded to give an
elaborate sketch OF his very eventful
and useful life. referred TO the fact
that in addition to being successful
practitioner. he was a brilliant writer
and student. a member OF the Conu-
mental Congress, a signer Of the Decla-
ration of Independence, physician gener-
al and surgeon general OF the Cont
mental Army. and for fourteen years
treasurer Of the United States mint, In
| Philadelphia DR.. Wilson paid high
| tribute TO his work. and characterized
| him as the foremost Of the early stu
dents OF medicine and hygiene in Amer
lea. He concluded by presenting the
statue 10 the President. as the gift of
the American Medical Association TO the
American people.
The President was greeted with loud
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