The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-04-28
FRENCH PEOPLE !;
HONOR FRANKLIN;
Celebration atsrfocadcro The Oc-
casion for Notable French
American Demonstration.
A DISTINGUISHED GATHERING.
Nlilistcl. 81 Instruction Rcn1arkc
Upon Friendship between
Two Great Republics.

ll,Y .AsgocIntel press ]

Is PARIS. April 2i.-tl'hc Franklin celc-
blatioil Ent the 'frocadcro this afternoon
was the occasion for u notable Franco
American demonstration, The distinguish
cd officials present included former Presi-
4 dent l.Oubet and Caslnlir perier, the
cabinet mlisicrG, the diplomatic corps;
the presidents Of tho Senate and Cham
ber OF Deputies aud prominent generals
4ttrd adnlras l'i'dcndefo Square was ocl
4ctipied by the Republican guards in bril-
linrt uniforms ana the grnldsinnd fac-
ing the statue was richly decorated with
5:h5 French ana American colora. a bat
tcry nrtiIle:y$fircd5 Il salute Of 81 guns
AZ the statue was unveiled. Il;
a lii opening the ceremony, the Amerc can
Ambassador snid 81 81 /.
Speech Of Mccormick.
When my friend and conipatriof.5
Mr.. John II. lIAries, esteemed at home
and abroad, Informed me Of his inter.
ton to present q statue Of BENJAMIN,
Franklin to the city Of Paris. IT seem
cd 10 me that tho occasion should ne
seized upon. for q dcmonstrliion OF
4 hat warm friendship which exists BE-
tween the worlds two great repubi,i .;
and for WHICH Franklin SO firmly laii
the foundation. 'rhe happy coincidence
of3tic approacil OF ne nicentenarS or ~
Tanklns birth opene ne Way dof Us
into the fetc which you have been
ASKED 10 honor with your presence.
y The spontaneous and hearty co-opera-
given 10 ,.a- ltte .Re international
character which brings into relief that
chapter In Eranklinss life which bc-
longs TO France as well as to the
ever be held dear TO the hearts OF
citizens OF botll countries. In every
land throughout tho civilized world
d days during the year are set apart 70
.I.hr m, Mt nv I'M l 6 -
independent and sovereign States. as
well as the birth or. the great men
whose lofty character inspired the
hand guided the frail ship Of State u
through the stormy struggle for In
dependence, or. OF revolution against H
tyrannical regime. ~ I'll
..'..Thcse celebrations have their prac-
teal value In keeping the, fires OF pa
triotism alive with that love Of coun-
try which Inspires the soldier to leave
the defense or Its honor and Its rights.
World Peace.
'.On the Initiation OF frances ally,
Russias. Tie Hague tribunal was es5
~ tabIsllcd that governments might
have Il court OF arbitiAt ton ready TO
their hand for the settlement Of such +
differences as could be submitted TO 1t.
y But TO- day he voice x public sentiment
holds from orr impels governments
u to action. and that better acqualnt-s}
pies which such international cele-
brations as this warm into life or keep
4 alive. makes az never before for the
cause Of general peace and the we'll
"The President OF the United States
has already shown In the most prac-
tical form and with notable success I!
Amounting q Si,ita bile pcrsou tn speak
for the United States on this occasion.
It was therefore his purpose not only
to celebrate the bicentcnary of Bcn-}
5amin Franklin. and by this joint ceie;
bration link closer the ties that bind
France to the United States, but with 81
that broader aim which has found It's
strongest intcrnational, expression N
the establishment OF The Hague tri-
bunal2
''In the selection OF a speaker for
4 the occasion. 1t was at first Thought
Z lie life, but in the end all else gave {
way before tho eminent qualifications
Of the gentleman who promptly re-
sponded to the call OF IN. pres,aent 40 70 4
wolves upon him to-day. Ills exhais-
tive study of the life OF Franklin. his
enthusiasm for the subject, and his
powers as a speaker. singled him out
4 To present Mr. Albert Henry Smyth,
special representative or tho United
States for the Franklin Bicentcnnlal Y
Celebration in Paris.
Professor Smyth's Grafton.
Professor Albert Henry smytl,. of
Philadelphia, then delivered an Grafton
on Franklin, in which he said In part:t
The story Is told that at certain
exhibition OF historical, portraits
Thomas Carlyle was seer absorbed In #
the contemplation of n picture of Ben
5umin FRANKLIN: ! small crowd at
s tracted by curiosity gathered about
him, 10 whom tho sage OF Chelsea
said, MS he pointed to the portrait.
there is the father OF allAh Yankees.
1T would seem thafl c>slalfle express
ed the sentiment and opniou OF man /.
kind; for upon this two hundfedth an