The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1910-08-25
VIRGINIA PRESENTS
STATUE To FRANCE
French Minister to This Country
Takes Part in Ceremonies on
Z Part Of Francs-SPeeohes Of
Presentation BY Mann,
Halsey and King.

sRilles 90 witness the unwilling OF
ahe statue OF George Washing
ton presented TO France by Vir-
gtnta.
4 The staczo. which n a bronze
copy OF that by Jean Antoine
Houdon, at Richmond. Va, stands
between the statues OF Lafay-
cite and Admiral Sunern. COM
mandcr of the French ships that
aided the cOlOnists I'm the rcvOlu-
zion Virginia was represented
by Colonel James Mann. State
Senator Don Il. Halscy and State
Senator Il. W. King, comprising
- special commission Tho cere-
monies, I'm which Ambassador
Bacon participated, were simple
but impressive.
The statue was accepted on be-
half OF France by James Jusserand.
Ambassador to the United States. who
is here on his vacation. General Brun.
Minister of War, presided, and among
the Americans present was Senator
Nathan Is. Scott, of West Virginia.
The members of the commission
which presented the Rochambeau
statue. now in Washington. were also
cite, descendant of the great French
man.
The presentation Of a replica of
Houdon's Statue Of Washington by
Virginia 20 France today at Yer
sailles was the contamination Of
long entertained desire on the
part Of the people of the Com
OF the services rendered to the Con-
tinental Armies by the French, and
TO cement the bonds Of friendship be-
tween the people Of the republic and
the State Of Virginia The General
Assembly some four years ago direct
ed that a bronze copy of the statue
of Washington, the work Of the ia
NOUS French artist, Houdon. be made
and presented TO the republic Of
France.
The State OF Virginia ordered that
the copy be made, and the General
Assembly provided that a commission
of three should go from Virginia TO
make the presentation. Governor
Mann, acting under the provisions of
the law. named Colonel James Mann,
OF Norfolk; Senator Don p. Halsey, of
Lynchburg, and Senator Floyd W.
King. of Clifton Forge
The gentlemen sailed from New
York on the morning OF August I'd,
reaching their destination ten days
later. They took along with them
their wives, and after the ceremonies
are ended they will make a tour OF
the continent
The ceremonies today were under
the personal direction Of NJ. Jusser-
and, the French Ambassador, who
returned to France two months ago
TO complete the details of the pre-
Rentation. The figure Will be placed
IN the palace at Versailles, where
stand the heroes of the French repub-
lie. The occasion was one attended
by much pOmp and ceremony.
The presentation was made by Col
Onel Mann. who represented the Gov
ernor OF Virginia, and speeches were
also made by Senators Halsey ana
King. these being responded to by
the French Minister OF Affairs and
other French dignitaries.
Colonel Mann spoke in part as fol-
n lie Ministre des Affaires strangers:
- A century and a quarter ago, there
came into being within this balance
document that meant even more TO
America than our immortal Declara-
tion OF Independence. FOR here on Sep
OF Peace between Great Britain and the
United States OF American, which vita
lized and made true our decia aS On
be, free and independent states" This
IS indeed the birthplace OF our nation.
and we have come In grateful recog-
milton of the splendid part that France
took in the Accomplishment OF our
freedom. TO place within these sacred
walls the statue OF the Father OF his
The grandest name In all the history
ton. and the history OF all the nations
gives US none that is grander. Unique
the earth. 1t is usually the soldiers
dream TO die by the sword, but he en-
gagged in war only that his country
might have peace. Drawing HIS sword
from patriotic impulse, without ambi-
ton and without malice, he welded
# without vindictiveness and sheathed
It without reproach~ Downing the
plain clothes OF the citizen as soon
as the enemy had left our shores he
issued a touching farewell address TO
his comrades in arms, and hurrying
10 Annapolis, he put aside his sword.
feet of the Congress from whom he
had received ii eight years before.
Grand as he was in war. he was
Rrander still in peace.
Desiring to honor The greatest of her
eors. she knew, when she enshrined in
the place Of highest honor in her CAPT
toll, that splendid figure Of a man, that
she was handing down to generations
then and even now unborn an inspira-
good OF the commonwealth.
Jefferson, author of our DECLARATION
of the Republic. then in France Sc
3ected for this great work that illus
Houdon, whom he declared 20 be with
out rivalship. the first statuary Of this
HOudon's Masterpiece.
Houdon visited America, and at Mt.
Vernon. where he was entertained with
that courteous hospitality which dis
finguished the home life of Washing
ton, he studied thoroughly his subject.
took accurate measurements, and even
made a mould OF his face. Returning
20 France. yonder in your beautiful
Paris. working patiently and with con-
marble the perfect statue which was
described by Lafayette as a fac-simile
of Washington's person" II is &C
cepted as the standard and one perfect
likeness OF Washington. truer than any
portrait the best artist could produce;
as a work OF art 1t surpasses any
statute in America; it's value to my
people cannot be measured in gold in
silver or in precious stones. 1t is a
beautiful bronze copy Of this statue
that we have brought to you on be-
half of the people of Virginia.
Virginia Reveres Lafayette
The day after tomorrow marks the
anniversary of the day of which La
fayette joined the American Army:
three weeks later. he bore upon his
body the wound of a British bullet,
and had so distinguished himself in
the battle OF Brandywine as to receive
special mention in Washington's re-
port.
After a year and half devoted to
the American cause, and carrying him
self always with distinction. duty re- |
Quired his temporary return to France. |
Congress voted him the thanks of the |
people, presented him with a sword, !
and caused a most commendatory let |
ter to be sent to Louis XVI. Another |
year spent in the councils of his own |
nation, urging always the cause of |
America. and he returned, bringing the |