The Washington herald., 1910-12-08


sands of others stamped and waited on
the slushy, muddy streets. Orators
raised their voices and their words rang
far in the clear. cold air Bands blared
and the singers had a characteristic
Teutonic share in the celebration.
The gathering was distinguished in
GLIDING practically the entire diplomatic
corps and many Of the leading officials
of the city. The speakers, besides the
President and the German Ambassador,
were Representative Richard Bartholdt,
OF Missouri. who has taken a leading
part in raising the memorial and DR..
Charles J. Hexamer, president of the
National GeTman-AmeTican Alliance
The climax was reached when Miss
Helen TAFT pulled a cord, and the two
huge American flags-one Of them a bit
unruly. refusing 10 disentangie its folds
from the barOns head-fell apart and re-
vealed the noble bTonZe-the efiigy of a
splendid figure of a man. with worn
and tattered coat thrown over his Shout
ders. a wooden homespun sash about his
waist, and a weather-beaten cockade on
his head.
Sung by Great Chorus.
y
broke cut from Battery of the Third
Field Artillery, and the Star Spangled
Banner was sung in magnificent vol
ume of tone by the great chorus, with
the Marine Band accompanying. And
cheers the sculptor. Albert Jaegers. of
New York, was introduced to the assem-
blage.
The symbolism OF the genius OF the
Prussian comes in the two thanking
groups on the subsidiary pedestals-one
revealing Mars as Instructor TO "a strip
ling entitled Preparation" the other
composed Of figures showing Common
Grafton. D" The statue is simple. vigorous
in its lines, and essentially artistic.
Directly above the bronze fioated a
flag of blue and white bars and with
the United states seal in the field-the
banner of the German-American so
cieties. on one side of the grand stand
waved the black and white OF Prussia.
AT all other angles the Stars and Stripes
were floating.
The presiding officer was Secretary of
War Dickinson, and after an impressive
opening song by the Northeastern
Singers Association. massed in the rear
Of the statue. Rev. Charles F. 'Steck de-
livered the invocation, and the first ad-
dress was given by Representative
BarthOldt
Tribute by BarthOIdt.
To-day our hero has been lifted from
an obscure grave" said Mr. Bartholdt.
His name is on the lips Of all. and the
hearts and minds Of a grateful nation
revere his memory. And why? Not only
because he happened to stand at the
cradle Of American independence and
helped nurse it 10 a reality, but also be-
cause Of his sterling qualities OF char
acter. which, by means of this monu-
ment. are held up as guiding stars TO
this and future generations.
The thousands of American citizens
Of German birth or descent whose pres
ence makes this a natiohal German
American day are not here simply be-
cause the hero We honor was of their
flesh and blood. They have come be-
cause Baron Steuben has shed luster on
the German name by the display Of
qualities and virtues which they admire,
and among those none has more power
fully thrilled their hearts than his ex-
ample of answering loyalty to America.
They rejoice, too, in the greatness and
magnanimity of a people which, in hon
Oring its heroes. nobly disregards ma
tional distinctions and by placing all on
common high pedestal OF fame lives
up to the idealisTn of a common brother
hood under the flag Of a free govern
ment This is one of the lessons pro-
claimed in mute but eloquent words by
the great monument we are unwilling to-
day, and il is one which no son OF the
IL l.
should ever forget. II reveals a vision
Of the grandeur OF American ideals
which should make better Americans Of
US all"
Address by President.
Mr.. Chairman, Mr.. Ambassador. Ladies
and Gentlemen:
I'VE dedicate to-day the last Of the
monuments which MI the four corners
OF this beautiful space. and which testify
to the gratitude Of the American people
TO those from France. from Poland, and
from Prussia who aided them in their
struggle for national independence and
existence. Lafayette, Rochambeau. Kos
eiusko. and Won Steuben contributed
much TO the success Of American arms in
the Revolution. The assistance of the
first three was perhaps more conspicuous
and spectacular than that of Won Steuben
but it was not so valuable
Won Steuben was a trained soldier
from boyhOod- He learned his profession
at the best OF schools; that is in actual
warfare. under the direct instruction OF
the greatest master of the art Of wal
OF the eighteenth century. The char
acter and severity of the drill and dis
clplne and the tactics OF the German
army were as exceptional in the DAYS OF
Frederick William and Of Frederick the