New-York tribune., 1907-10-20
HONOR TO GEN. SIGEL.
SON UNVEILS STATUE.
Governor Hughes Praises Germans
Great Military Display.

With simple but impressive exercises. tho
feature OF which address by Governor
Hughes, the bronze equestrian statue OF General
Franz Sigel. division commander OF the Union
army in the Civil War; was unveiled at River
side Drive and 1O6th street yesterday afternoon.
The unveiling was followed by parade OF 5000
members of the regular army and navy and OF
the National Guard and OF nearly 5000 mem
bers of the Grand Army Of the Republic. the
Spanish War Veterans and various German
cieties.
1t was an ideal day Only a stray cloud here
and there accentuated the deep blue OF the sky.
The was just warm enough to make the use
OF heavy wraps unnecessary. The stand for in
vited guests extended from 1O5th to 10Tth street.
seating about 5000 persons. No one was al
lowed to drive between these streets. but
either side Of the roadway. from 72d street
where the parade began. to 10th street. where
II disbanded were thousands Of spectators.
GOVERNOR HUGHES WARMLY RECEIVED.
Governor Hughes was enthusiastically re-
ceived when he spoke. We cannot write
chapter of American history without doing our
German citizens honor" said the Governor, He
spoke particularly OF the patriotism of the
German-Anericans and their devotion na-
tionaI ideals. His speech follows:
1t is our privilege TO assemble here in honor
OF a brave soldier who rendered distinguished
service to his adopted country. In the dedica-
To his memory. But it is more than memorial
to courage or military SKILL IL is more than
a tribute to individual worth It speaks not
simply of the service of the accomplished officer
whose name it bears, but is also eloquent OF the
patriotic ardor which has characterized the
sons of the fatherland he so worthliy repre-
sented. and of their important contribution 20
national life.
General Franz Sigel born In Baden in
1924: he received his military education at
CarlSruhe and served with distinction IN the
revolution in 1919. Leaving the land which he
for he had h6
came, an exile. TO this country. and after a few
years settled IN Missouri. We should entirety
not emphasize the spirit which animated this
newcomer on American soil He came defeated
but not Gisheartened: he was torn away from
the fond associations of his youth. but he was
not cynical mOrOse; he did not give himself
over to discomfort, nor was his vitality sapped
by vain regrets ne came true 10 the cause OF
liberty. with generous heart, with vigor and zeal
to give the best he could bestOw 10 the coun-
try which henCefOrth by virtue or his man
hoods choice was to be not a mere asylum but
a home. And at the outbreak OF the Civil War.
with no less zeal for his adopted land than he
had shown his native soil. he offered his
services to the national cause. and IN large
degree through his vigor and efficiency Missouri
saved TO the Union
DISTINGUISHED MILITARY SERVICE.
1t is not my purpose to tell the story of his
career which may more fttingly be narrated
by him who is about TO address you. His mili-
tary service was extensive and distinguished
He took part in many important engagements.
and his courage. his military ability and the
value of his services to the Union cause not
only distinction in the army but also have
service and by this just tribute memo
ralze the kindliness, the courage and the pa
triotisn Of a gallant commander.
1t is gratifying that the passing OF the years
has not lessened our appreciation OF the heroic
service which preserved our national unity.
The generation which since the Civil War has
come upon the scene studies the history OF that
terrific conflict without bitterness. but with no
lack of reverence for those 10 whose sel1-deny-
ing services we owe the blessing of our vigorous
national life. The memory of the founders ana
of the saviors of the Republic will never fade.
As time heals the wounds OF strife, and as with
Iand are more closely knit together we rejoice
in North and South alike. with common pride
of country in the splendid qualities OF manhood
which on both sides of that struggle were so
the heroic and sacrificing spirit permeates the
nation and is limited by sectional lines.
Fortunate. also is ii that are becoming
more and more free from racial and provincial
preiudices and are able to make a truer esti-
mate Of the many sources from which we have.
derived our national strength and the virtues Of
our citizenship 1t is pleasant thought. which
frequently has been expressed. that the an
ceStOrS of most OF those who settled the country
in Colonial days once lived in the German for
ests; and we witness here on a large scale. and
after centuries of varied experience. what is
virtually a reuniting of the descendants OF u
common stock.
UNITY IN DEVOTION To LIBERTY.
But. however pleasing this may be to the his.
torical imagination, our unity in fact is not
racial and does not depend upon blood relation
ship whether near o. remote II is the unity OF .
a Common national ideal; it is the unity OF a
common conception of the dignity of manhood:
IL is the unity of common recognition of equal
civil rights IL is unity in devotion to liberty
pressed in institutions designed to give every
man a fair opportunity for the exercise of his
talents and 20 make the activities of each subOr-
dinate to the welfare of all. 10 the maintenance
of this ideal and TO the fulhlment of the pur-
poses of our national organization each race has
made it's contribution. And not truly
Americans if we do not greatly rejoice in the
fact that here is than the work of any one
people, and more than the product Of any one
experience: that to the making and 10 the pros