New-York tribune., 1911-10-25
BRYANT STATUE UNVEILED.
Absence of John BigeIow. Poets
Associate. Only Shadow.
MAYOR GLAD IT'S PAID FOR
DR.. Henry van Dyke Makes Com
memorative Address in the
Presence of 1000 Persons.

Herbert Adamss bronze statue Of VIII
lam Cullen Bryant the poet and editor
erected on the west terrace OF the Public
Library overlooking Bryant Park, was un-
veiled yesterday afternoon by Miss Frances
Bryant Goodwin. great granddaughter OF
the poet George L. Rives presented Il 10
the city for the Century Association, which
raised the subscriptions. and Mayor Gay
nor accepted ii with a speech. DR.. Henry
van Dyke, OF Princeton University, made
the address of commemoration.
The venerable John Rigelow. friend and
associate OF BRYANT and chairman OF the
Century Associations Bryant Memorial
Committee since 1853, was 70 have pre-
sented the statue TO the city. but on ac-
count OF poor health he was unable 10 he
present The historian VIII be ninety-four
wears old on November II.
"The only shadow that mars this bright
day Is the absence Of Mr.. Bgelow," said
Mr. Rives as he prepared to read the brief
letter of regret from the aged friend of
the noet Nearly thousand persons
crowded the terrace in the bright sunlight
10 witness the spectacle. John George
Franks Fanfare Band PLAYED Edmund
Clarence Stedman's choral 'Centuria
during the unveiline. The music was by
Joseph Mosenthal
Dr. van Dyke said in part:
II is fitting that this stately library. de-
signed by American architects. should be
adorned bv the noble work OF an American
SCULPTOR commemorating the fame and in
f1uence Of the first American poet. William
cullen BRYANT deserves honor Of the re-
public. not only because he gave tho poetic
spirit an authentic voice in this western
world hut also because he embodied in his
character that self-cortro of self-reliancc
and that grave, indomitable and religious
love Of liberty which created. and nave
still preserved. these United states.
Auspicous indeed. would the unNeilng
Of fhis statue he il II were not only n me-
mortal but also q prophecy-the first Of a
long line Of works TO ombelltsh this library.
not with forms from the animal world but
with images and emblems OF human aspi-
ration and intellectual triumph,
And silent faces n, the great and wise. q
Mayor Gaynor said ne was glad to accept
the gift for the city. especially as II was
all paid for. He thought there was too
much tendency lately to look 10 the city
for celebrations or FOR noble charity. lie
hoped the Bryant monument would be an
example for future private contributions
for all things that ennoble the individual.
The Mavor said Bryant was one Of tho
most homespun and everyday citizens that
New York ever had. and that with all his
genius he went about doing his duty i'm the
simplest imaginable way. He thought
Bryant should always be q model for edi-
tors of newspapers. but confessed that he
did not know whether there were any edi-
tors row who took Bryant as their model
However. he hoped there were.
New England. hc said got ahead or all
the rest Of the country just by putting up
Bunker Hill and Remington monuments Ia
teach what occurred there. THE whole
country is doinGs this now and in that
way history is taught and In that way this
monument will teach history as long as
this city endures." he said.
Among the descendants Of William Cul-
len Bryant present were Mrs. A. Y. White.
a granddaughter. Frederick Goodwin, a
grandson: Harold Goodwin, son of Harke
Goodwin the historian aud son-in-lsw OF
BRYANT. and Miss Nathalie dc Castro, a
great-g granddaughter.