The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1910-08-18
Bronze Copy Of Famous Houdon
Statue Of George Washington
Is Presented to France
at Paris Today
JAMES mann MAKES ADDRESS
Chairman Of tho Virginia Commission
Makes Gracious Speech in Which
He Lauds Washington and
Lafayette.

IarlS, aug. lo.-StiuoHl mas the Ia
NOUS Palace of Versailles, which has
ssbeen the scene OF many history -mak-
ing events, including the signing of
the treaty ending the American Revo-
liant and distinguished assemblage
than was gathered in the Marble Hall
of the palace today, when, with cere-
monies befitting the occasion, the
bronze statue of George Washington,
presented to the French people by the
state of Virginia. was unveiled by a
lineal descendant of the Marquis de
Lafayette.
Grouped about the speakers stand.
which was completely covered In red,
white and blue bunting and decorated
with French and American flags, sat
many high officials of France, MEM
bers of the diplomatic corps, represen-
tatives of patriotic societies and 9TH
er invited guests. Included among the
latter were many prominent members
of the American colony i'm Paris.
Replica of Famous Statue.
The official programme began with
an Invocation, followed by the address
of presentation, which was made by
Col. James Mann. heading the COM
mission representing the State of Vir-
ginia. The other members of the
commission, Messrs. King and Halsey.
also made brief addresses. The statue
was accepted I'm behalf OF France by
M. Pichon, the Minister of Foreign Af-
fairs. The formal exercises concluded
with an address by M. Jusserand, the
French Ambassador to the United
States.
The statue Is replica of Houdon's
famous statue of washington. Hou-
don went to America i'm 1886, spent
two weeks as Washington's guest at
Mt. Vernon and made a mould of his
face. He returned to France and the
statue was made In Paris of marble.
II was sent to America and has since
reposed in the Virginia capitol at Rich
mond. The gift of the replica to
France was made under law passed
bv the General Assembly of Virginia
"as an expression of Virginia's cor
dial admiration and loving regard"
Address of Col. Mann.
"The grandest name in all the his
tory of America is that of George
Washington and the history of all the
nations gives us none that Is grand
err" said Col. Mann in the course of
his address.
Moan raoauptad tho snIpndil
deeds of "the father of his country
both in war and in peace and PAID
fitting tribute TO the illustrious French
man who aided America in 'ts strug-
gle for liberty. 1--WE remer er al
ways" he said. that but for The aid
of France success could not have
crowned the efforts of Washington in
our revolutionary war. 1t is because
Virginians remember these things ana
remembering them, love the people OF
France, that we have come I'm their
name as the bearers of this token OF
their affection"
French soIdiery Praised.
"The graciousness with which the
gift of this statue has been received,
said Mr.. Mann '"has added to the
pleasure Virginia has felt in sending
her best loved son to stand on the soil
OF France, amid the only allies often
9 sive and defensive America has ever
had. 1t was n beautiful thought that
prompted the people of France to place
on the right of this statue of wash
ington the bust Of Lafayette, his most
trusted lieutenant and dearest friend,
and on his left Suffren, the gallant
commander of the redoubtable Fan
tasaue. who dealt such telling blows
to the British ships upon our coast ana
later, by his bravery. won for himself
the high honor of being the Admiral of
France. II is indeed fitting that there
should be placed within the pedestal as
n part of his support the names and
records of the 47,9s9 brave French
soldiers who made possible the sue
cessful termination OF the war and
thereby entitled washington o-stand
upon that high pinnacle of fame which
history accords only to the victorious
His spirit. as II hovers here above his
statute must indeed feel that he
stands in the midst of his friends
EuIogizes Washington.
Mr.. Mann referred to the fact that
II was within the very walls within
which he stood and where the statue
had been placed that on September g.,
1888, was signed the Treaty Peace be-
tween Great Britain and the United
States. "This Is indeed the birthplace
of our nation" he said, "and we have
come in grateful recognition of the
splendid part that France took In the
accomplishment of our freedom, to