The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-10-20
MONUMENTUNVEHED
MEMORY OF GENERAL FRANZ
 sIGEL IS HON0RED.
Singinw by United German Societies of One Thousand Voices, Was Part of Program--Herman
 RiddeF Speaks.

New York, Oct 19.-The dedication and u1veifing of the statue of General Franz Sigel at River Side Drive and One Hundred and Sixth Street, this afternoon. was made the occasion for an imposing military and civic parade, In which over 10000 men participated. Gen. Stewart L. Woolford, chairman of the committed. presided, and Patrick r. McGowan, President of the Board ot Aldermen, was charged with the re- ception of the statue of behalf of the city. The English oration by Gov ernor Hughes, an address in German by Herman Ridder of The New York zeitung, and singing by the United German Singing Societies of 1000 voices, were 8 part of the ceremonies.
 My most distinguished General Woodford, Ladies and Gentlemen: In sight of this imposing monument, sol- emnly unveiled before your eyes, 1t is altogether fitting that of the speakers on this occasion voice should be found for some words of tribute in the German tongue. Let it be remembered that the man in whose honor we have reared this splendid statue was of Ger man kith and kin, German in thought and German in sentiment. While he. like the rest of us, had been absorbed by the all-pervading genius of Ameri- canism, he nevertheless owed the hon. ors and dignities which the country of his adoption had bestowed upon him to certain peculiar German traits in his character. Possessed of a thor ough German education, particularly trained in the science of war and strategy, his services were of especial value to the country at a time when such advantages were sorely needed and but rarely found. With the burn ing enthusiasm of German fighter for liberty, Franz Sigel devoted all his talents, in fact his whole being, to the cause of his new home, which, in spite of many disappointments, he had learned to love dearly.
 Speakers we'll fitted for the task have detailed to you the deeds and la bors which constitute General Siegers claim on the gratitude of his country and of posterity. His own generation had not been niggardly in it's gratitude and had freed the declining years of it's tried hero from sordid cares. His touching modesty-one of the most beautiful traits in his character-would not allow him to bask in the sunshine of popular favor. In quiet. single
 minded way of his own he resumed the pursuits of civil life when the war had ended and he was ever careful to avoid word or gesture which would hetray the former leader of battalions. who had taken part in the great bat
 ties. fought to cement the union anew in 1ndiSSolublC bonds. He cared put little for riches and worldly goods
 His leisure was given to art, above all, to music, and if there was any oth- CT thing particularly dead to his heart it was the interest fin his German kin dred, who had come before him, and after him in hundreds of thousands and made their abodes here, had become citizens of our great Republic, always eager to return a helpful service for
 their hospitable reception on these shores. It was the good fortune of the Germans that at the outset of their immigration they had no lack of far sighted leaders men distinguished for their prudence, their unselhshness and conscientiousness, such men as Schurz, Ottendorfer, Stallo, Koerner Pretorius, who. for many d decade, kept cea aseless vigil over the honor of the Germans n America. To Franz Sigel. the Upholding of the honor of the Germans iu Amer ica was ever the most sacred of tasks l
 Tt Is, therefore but natural that the Germans and their descendants. now gathered around this monument, feel anew and del lore again the full extent of the loss Il -y sustained in the death of General Sr<el. Mingled with this regret every Herman heart must stir with q thrill oi Llide to think tEa out of the ranks O. the Germans in Ame-- lea has come for tn a man to whose memory the united nation pays this tribute ss a Srat ful debt of patriotism The hand of 8 German master has created this impressive monument. lt has now been dedicated by the sounds of German song Now. then. let Ger man words commit 1t and commend it