The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-08-19
AMBASSADOR BACON.

men who aided America in It's strug-
gle for liberty.
I'VE remember always he said.
that but for the aid of France sue
cess could not nave crowned the efforts
Of Washington in our Revolutionary
War. It is because Virginians rcmenl-
Der these things, and remembering
them. love the people of France. that
we have come in their name as tho
bearers of this token Of their affection.
yirginin's JOY In Gift.
THE graciousness with which the
gift OF this statue has been received"
said Mr. Mann. has added to the pleas
ure Virginia has felt in sending her
best loved son to stand on the soil OF
France, amid the only allies. offensive
and defensive. America has ever had.
ut was beautiful thought that
prompted the people of France to place
on the right of this statue OF Wash.
tngton the bust of Lafayette, his most
trusted lieutenant and dearest friend,
and on his left Suffren, the gallant
commander Of the redoubtable Fam
tasque. who dealt such telling blows
to the British ships upon our coast and
later by his bravery won for himself
the high honor of being the admiral
of France.
1t is indeed fitting that there should
be placed within the pedestal as a part
OF his support the names and records
OF the 47.989 brave French soldiers
who made possible the successful ter
3mtnat1on Of the war and thereby entl-
tied Washington to stand upon that
nigh pinnacle Of fame which history
.accords only to the victorious. His
spirit as It hovers here above his
statue, must indeed feel that he stands
IN the midst OF his friends"
Scene of Treaty Signing.
Mr. Mann referred to the fact that 1t
was within the very walls within which
he stood. and where the statue had
bee been placed. that on September 8, 1883.
was was signed the treat y OF peace between
Great Britain and the United States.
This is indeed the birthplace Of our
nation" he said. 'and we have como
In grateful recognition, OF the Splendid
part that France took In the accom-
pllshment of our freedom to place With
int these ssa cred walls the statue Of the
ather OF His Country.
Speaking Of Washington. Mr.. Mann
said '54 w s 3 L II, :
Grand as he was in war, he was
sgrander still in peace. To#himE above
al others is due the adoption OF the
Constitut which welded tho States
which became the pattern8of future re-
publics, Courteous4and courtly&to all.
men, a tend err affection chara cterIzed his
intercourse with his friends.
La ayette's heart went out to him
IN filial love; Rochambeau held him a 8
Q dearly beloved brother In arms; d q
.Grasse admired him and was glad "a
call him friend; Chastellux declared
him to be the greatest and best Of ali
men. while his own people, with one
accord. have proclaimed him first in
war, first In peace and first In the
hearts OF his countrymen..s,,'' ~ N
Lafayette IL Landed ,{si
In glowing terms Mr.. Mann rel erred
to Lafayette and the afrectlonate RAJ
gard in which Americans hold his
3memory, HI ,gsls
mo name in all the history Il our
Revolutionary period, save only that
OF Washington, said Mr.. Mann. as
SO ear to the American peopl 8 as that
of the gallant young Frenchmanf who,
before he had reached the age 81
twenty became a. mai or-g eneral in the
army of the United Stat s. having toi,-
dered his services ms "a "a volunteer
without pension or a II owance.' Her oro
|'thaS Constitution was nj opted Ia fpy-
cite had been by les lslntiYe act q y.
clared IA citizen of ~ irgi nia, 4 ea hiRh-ss
Test hanngs q sfgss state 81 pay any