The weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Craig County, Okla.) 1905-1913, 1910-08-26

Iesl name IN All the history OF America
is that Of George Washington and the
history OF all the nations gives us none
that is grander," said James Mann
chairman Of the Virginia commission,
in the course of his address at Versail
les today in presenting to the people
of France on behalf of Virginia a
bronze copy Of Houdons statue at
Washington The original of the statue
stands in the state capitol at Rich.
mond
Mr. Mann recounted the splendid
deeds of the father of his country"
both in war and in peace and paid
fitting tribute to the illustrious
Frenehman who aided America in its
struggle for liberty. I'VE remember
always" he said, that but for the
aid of France success could not have
crowned the efforts Of Washington in
our revolutionary war II is because
| Virginians remember these things and
remembering them, love the people Of
France, that we have come in their
name as the bearers Of this token of
their affection
The statue was accepted in behalf
of the French government by NJ. PIN
chon, secretary of foreign affairs
The graciousness with which the
gift OF this statue has been received, =
said Mr. Mann, has added TO the
pleasure Virginia has felt III sending
her best loved son to stand on the soil
of France, amid the only allies often.
sive and defensive America has ever
had. It was a beautiful thought that
prompted the people of France to
place on the right OF this statue of
Washington the bust Of Lafayette, his
most trusted lieutenant and dearest
friend, and on his left Suffren, the gal.
liant commander Of the redoubtable
Fantasque, 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. It is indeed
fitting that there should be placed
within the perastal as part of his
support the names and records Of the
AZ ,9s9 brave French soldiers who made
possible the successful termination Of
the war and thereby entitled Washing
ton TO stand upon that high pinnacle
of fame which history accords only to
the victorious. His spirit. as It how
.ers here above his statue, must indeed
feel that he stands in the midst of his
friends"
Mr.. Mann referred TO the fact that
Il was within the very walls within
which he stood and where the statue
had been placed that on September 3,
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
place within these walls the statue Of
the Father of His Country
Speaking of Washington, Mr. Mann
said:
Grand as he was in war he was
grander still in peace, and 10 him
above all others is due the adoption
Of the constitution. which welded the
states together into that form Of gov
emment which became the pattern Of
future republics. Courteous and court
ly to all men. a tender affection char
Iaeterized his intercourse with his
friends Lafayettes heart went out to
him in flial love; Rochambeau held
| him as a dearly beloved brother in
larms; de Grasse admired him and was
glad to call him friend; Chastelux de-
elared him to be the greatest and best
of all 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
In glowing terms, Mr.. Mann referr-
ID to Lafayette and the affectionate
lr4ard IN which Americans hold his
memory
NO name in all the history OF our
revolutionary period, save only that Of
/, washington. said Mr. Mann. is 50
Idear to the American people as that
- gallant young Frenehman, who
Ie be had reached the age Of
ilg became q major general In the
Is of the United States, having
IS erred hts services as a volunteer
lals DOT pension or allowance" Be
llafe the constitution was adopted
llAfa attc had been by legislative act
IdeeIafed. a citizen Of Virginia, the
Ibinh honor free state can pay to
lens nan and on his death by order
Ia president Of the United States
fA ra hnHaHH were rendered the ua.