New-York tribune., 1905-02-23
GIFT OF FRANCE UNVEILED
TOKEN OF FRIENDSHIP.
Bust of Washington Presented to
Conoress bu Ambassador JmsSerdnd.

Washington. Feb. 22'-Ambassedor Jusserahd pre-
sented TO Congress to-day the bronze rephoa VI %
original marble bust of George Washlhston ~ wiz
was DESTROYED by a fire in the Library OF Coisiess
n, 1881 The ceremonies took place in the rotuhua
of the Capitol where the bust was unVeileo' i anu ~
the Presidents Room. in the Senate WING WIZ WIZ
speeches were made by the Ambassador on Dehait
of the French givers of the bust. and py oehatci
yvat,nore of Rhode Island and Representative NC
Cleary of Minnesota, on behalf Of the two oralcne
OF Congress Mr. Frye. President pro tenn oi 'no
Senate presided. Nine. Jusserand, amid aSpiause'
drew aside the veil which covered the pus' anu Us
garlanded pedestal
At II O'Clock the hour fixed For the unveilng,
the rotunda was we'll filed with Senators anu
Representatives and large number OF citizens'
including many women and children. Senator Frye
and Sneaker Cannon met Ambassador Jusserand in
the Senate Chamber. and, in the company OF the
two committees the Library proceeded to the
rotunda. When they arrived the cord was Drawn
which threw back the flag yelling the bust the
Ambassador placed in receptacle OF the pedestal
documents containing history of the bust ana
announced that the acceptance by the United states
of the gift from France sealed eternal friendship
between the nations. The party then proceeded to
the Presidents Room. in the Senate wing. Senator
Wetmore read the resolution adopted by Congress
accepting the gift. and the Ambassador delivered
the speech of presentation. He said:
A great nation never forgets the great deeds and
deed IN any country. better deserves grateful re-
memorsnce mem than George Washington He was, in
great men would have been able to do so we'll what
your history would not have proved such useful
cos task e :" would S not perhaps have fulfilled Lin
the noblest that could be imagined-the noblest
question was to know whether the attempted Revo-
tution would prove the cradle the grave of Amer
For his mighty task he had all the needed and
naetio ne@ 99es les Patienee which was not
5eim9eriy tin9y caaimness. which was not indifference
the rest. his soundness of heart. of mind of sense
ana ana TINS soundness of judgment taught him that
there are occasions when one never be patient
enough enough ana G others when one can never be bold
on record as when. at such an early date as Au-
gust l. lIl4. he declared himself ready TO raise
to to the rescue of Boston-a move which decided his
We have IN France the same + feeiins h 0tt that YOU
have for the great and good citizens OF the past;
! American. George Washington being foremost
among 9 them French admiration began at once
things for him and for America-two things which
With her natural sympathy for those Who SO sp ep
Tor those who are threa ened in their just rights
gloomiest moments in the War of Independence
brilliant exploits which denote an easy and glorious
termination 1t was concluded when Washington
another thing which I believe, we were alone in
doing, and which shows, as well at least as any
thing else the true sentiment of France for Wash
ington and America When the great citizen died
nobest of her own national heroes had died; for
ten days tho flags OF the republic yelled with
A
held at the Invaldes. and the most eloquent OF our
speakers Fontanes. delivered the funeral oration
on the warrior who had made his country free.
We meet again to-day, his birthday to honor his
the orders of my government, present to Con-
gress the bust of the founder OF this republic.
When the Rochambeau mission three years
ago receiving from the United States a never to be
forgotten welcome, the friends of America
in France. and especially the members of the mis-
sion. desired to send 70 this country a token OF
their gratitude. They thought they could do no
better than to replace the work of art sent
Congress by public subscription 20 show how