The Washington herald., 1909-05-21

As victor o. peace, enshrined among
memorials TO warriors and civic heroes,
the statue Of John witherspoon. Presby-
terian minister and signer OF the DeclaTa-
ucn Of Independence. was yesterday IN
vened amid dramatic surroundings.
"WitherspOon. representing the spirit
OF patriotism. learning. and religion. now
stands in the heart Of the National Capt
tai. in the century and the country so
often regarded as materialistic," said
Commissioner Macfariand Just before
Master William Withers, the youngest
descendant o. the patriot released the
flags drsped about the monument and
displayed the bronze efigy-
Perhaps the most notable feature Of the
ceremonies was the manner In which
Right Hon. James Bryce responded with
an address. and diplomaticaIly treated the
delicate task Of honoring one who has
been termed in English history a po-
HticaI hrebrand who perhaps had no less
share il. the Revolution than Washington
himself"
Ambassador Bryce TactfuI.
The Ambassador did not discuss wither-
spoons political action, fearing that he
might be led thereby into a controversial
field. in which "a man who holds a middle
position IS sure 10 give dissatisfaction TO
those who hold extreme views on both
sides"
The preliminary services and addresses
we're conducted in the Church Of the Cow
enant. where were gathered number OF
direct descendants OF the noted divine and
scores o. prominent citizens and members
Of the diplomatic corps
Arranged in artistic profusion the ban
ners Of Princeton University were en-
twined with American Tags and stream
erS OF blue and white ribbon Hundreds
OF miniature lights cast a brilliant effulg-
ence over the auditorium rejecting The
spirit OF triumph that seemed uppermost
In the breasts OF auditors
Without the esifee, grouped IN crowds
EboUt the reservation at the intersection
Ct Connecticut avenue, Eighteenth and
y streets. hundreds Of citizens waited
10 witness the climax OF the exercises.
The Marine Band az intervals played
patriotic airs that were carried on the
breeze and waited IN through the windows
f the church
Former Secretary Of State John W
Foster. was chairman OF the affair. and
with an apparent air OF triumph at the
conclusion OF the efforts that have re-
suited IN the dedication Of the statue. he
opened the ceremony at $50 O'Clock.
brilliant and stirring. each Of the
speeches expressed the sentiment CT 10y
atty that was characteristic OF Dr. John
WitherspoOn II his la5Ors 20 effect the in
dependence Of the American colonies.
Distinctly a Presbyterian affair, the fes-
tivities were enhanced IN bTiilisnCy by
the address Of DR.. Woodrow Wilson.
president OF Princeton University. and
successor Of John Witherspooa. The edu-
Gator stirred MS hearers with a clear,
concise Interpretation OF the life and
character of the man about 20 be hon
ored. and paid a fitting tribute 10 his
predecessor. who had advocated "a per
manent and weIl-planned confederacy
among the States Of America that may
hand down the blessings Of peace and
public order to many generations"
Vice President Sherman Speaks.
Vice President Sherman. on behalf Of
the American people, paid homage 70
the theolOsian and incidentally com
mended Ambassador Bryce for his mag
nanimity shown in attending the exer-
cises.
Mr.. Fosters remarks were warmly ap-
Dlauded. and his reverent tribute to
Rev. DR.. Teunis s Hamlin. late pastor
Of the Church Of the Covenant, who con-
ceived the project and selected the site,
was termed appropriate 10 the occasion
He said: The last act OF Dr.. Hamlin'
life was a visit 10 New York 70 confer
with artists for the execution Of the
work. Within less than two and half
years from its inception the statue
stands to-day completed. the first erected
in the National Capital by public sub
scription 10 a signer OF the Declaration
Of independence"
Among those who attended the Unveil-
Ing were the two nearest descendants OF
John WitherspOOn. Mrs. John Cochran
OF Chester, Pa, and Miss n J. Woods
o. Lewistowu. Pa, granddaughter. Their
mother. Mrs Mary Witherspoon. was
seven months old at the time Of her
fsUher's death.
Dr. woodrow Wilson in his address said
in part;
1T IS my interesting task 10 recall a
man whose name We celebrate to-day. q
nan who left so definite an impression
OF the minds Of his posterity, and who
has bequeathed so many records. In bulk
his life is a simple story. No man IN
the Continental Congress represented 50
consistently as he did the measures which
washington believed necessary for the
success Of the great movement which sub
sequentiy became an important event in
the history OF mankind Almost as soOn
a. he landed on these shores from Scot
lard, he made the interesting discovery
that he was an American Like al
Scotchmen. he was rot averse TO adver-
tiSing. and AT heart his real purpose was
10 make Princeton an institution where
he could fit young men for service 10
their country. Flushed with that indom-
table spirit OF the Scot. he began from
the start to take an active interest il
Enu4EruaE N,