The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-02-23
FRANCE TO AMERICA.
AmbassadOr Jusserand Presents Bust
 of Washington.

AmbassadOr Jusserand Presents Bust | of Washington.
 Washington, Feb. 22.--Ambassador Jusserand, of France, today presented the United States, on behalf of his Government, a bust of George Wash | ington, done in marble. The present. ation was witnessed by a large as- sen1blage, ands was the feature of the days observance in the capital M. Jusserand said:
 "A great nation never forgets the great deeds and great examples of it's ancestors, and no man indeed in any country. better deserves grateful re- membrance than George Washington. He was, in truth, q providential man: no other of your many great men would have been able to do so well what he did; and he. appearing at any other pe- riod of your history, would not have proved such useful citizen. He would not. perhaps, fulfilled Lincoln's task so well, but he fulfilled Washington's, the noblest that could be imagined. The noblest, for the question was one then of life or death; the question was to know whether the attempted revolution would prove the cradle or the grave of American liberty For his mighty task he had all the needed and rarely united ' action. readiness and fortitude which were not temerity. calmness which was not indifference, kindness which was not weakness.
 Far above all the rest, his soundness of heart, of mind, of sense. And this soundness of judgment taught him that there are occasions when one can never be patient enough, and others when one can never be bold enough Cr oP is 4Ha est on record. as when, at such an early date as the first of August, 1774, he de- clared himself ready to raise 10000 men, to equip them and lead them to the rescue of Boston, a move which decided his fate and, in a measure, the fate of the country.
 We have in France the same feeling that you have for the great and good citizens of the past, and in this wor- ship is included more than one Ameri- can. George Washington being foremost among them. French admiration began at once and never ceased. and 1t led France to do two things for him and for America, two things which she was the only country in the world to do.
 With her natural sympathy for those who suffered for those who are threat ened in their just rights, to offer her alliance. France chose one of the glcomiest moments in the war of in- dependence. The alliance was not con~ cluded after one of those brilliant ex- ploits which denote an easy and glo- rious termination: 1t was concluded when Washington and his army were at Valley Forge.
 And we did another thing which. we | believe we were alone in doing, and which shows as well at least. as any | thing else the true sentiment of France | for Washington and America When the great citizen died. France went into mourning for ten days. as If the noD- 1 lest of her own national heroes had di- ed; for ten days the flags of the Renub- lie were yelled with crepe throughout the country. A ceremony was held at l the Invalides and the most eloquent of our speakers. Fontanes. delivered tine l funeral oration on the warrior who had made his country free.
 We meet again today, his birthday, to honor his memory and it Is my great privilege. acting on the orders of my government to present to Congress the bust of the founder of this Republic.
 When the Rochamheau mission came three years ago. receiving from the United States q never to-be- for ! gotten welcome. the warmest friends of America in Franco and especially the members of the mission. desired to seid to this country a token Of the;r gratitude.
 "They thought they could do no bet ter than to replace the work of art sent seventy-five years before to Amer | lea. and offers to Congress by public subscription. to show how was pre- served the old friendly feeling for the United States. The bust was the work of David Dangers. the famous sculp- tor and patriot. who. with his friend Lafayette at his elbow, had tried Co represent the Washington of heroicaI day. the leader of men and armies. the one who fought and won the day | Tt avs recently ascertained that the original model of Dangers work still existed at fingers. A subscription was started and as soon closed as opened, at the head of the list figures the rep reseEtatives of the families whose names are best associated with the great events in Washington's career | Lafayette, Rochambeau, De Grasse The bust was placed in the hands of my government for presentation and ao cepted by your joint resolution of last year.
 And now, acting upon the instruc- | tions l received. on this solemn birth day anniversary. I formally offer it to you, gentlemen. forever. now. hope the august face of the great citizen wIiI be harbored in your capitol His mild and stern eye will see. from year to year. pass by the ever-renewed flood of a more and more remote and powerful | posterity.
 May this posterity. whatever be tho distance in time, remain near to the great ancestor. by their principles. their faith in liberty, the nobleness of purpose. and if I may add a personal wish, by their friendly feeling for 1 friendly France"