New-York tribune., 1911-04-24
TREES HONOR MARTYRS
German Societies Plant Oaks to
LeiSIer and MilbOurne.
WERE HANGED FOR TREASON
Three Years Later Acclaimed as
Patriots, Speakers Point Out
at the Celebration.

A celebration which, according to Park
Commissioner Charles y. Stover was Tor
all the people of New York took place in
CITY Hall Park Yesterday afternoon, when
two Young German oaks were planted In
memory Of Jacob Lelsler, native OF Frank
fort-on- the-Alain. Lieutenant Governor OF
the colony OF New Amsterdam, hanged boy
the English as a traitor, and three years
after his death hailed as a patriot and
martyr.
'IeisIer" said Nr. Slower IN accepting
the trees on behalf Of the city, is just as
worthy IL not more worthy, OF cornmernora-
ton than that man over there who on
later day laid down his life for democratic
principles" II was TO the statue OF Nathan
Hale that the Commissioner finger point
ed.
The exercises held under the auspices of
the United German Societies Of the city,
drew a goodly crowd OF those who love
the Fatherland 20 the western side of the
City Hail. where benches had been placed
through the courtesy Of the Commissioner,
and a stand erected from which the United
Singers OF New York might enliven the
ceremony with harmony. The slender
trees a present from the city Of Frankfort,
leaned against the speakers platform.
guarded by a score OF young men from the
cadet corps Of the New York Turn Verein.
when the chorus opened with the "Shep-
herds Sunday Song"
Theodore Sutro former Commissioner or
Taxes and president Of the United German
Societies, told why Leisler was TO be hon
cred. Narrating the events which followed
the flight OF James II from the throne of
England and the accession OF William and
Mary, he led up 10 the arrival in the col
ony, then New Amsterdam, OF one Ingolds-
by. armed with a commission as Lieutenant
Governor from the new King. Leisler.
however. refused TO surrender the command
os the fort at the battery until the regu
larly appointed Governor, Colonel Henry
Slaughter himself arrived.
Hanged for High Treason.
When he did arrive said Mr.. Sutro,
toward the end OF March, 1921. he imme-
ciately ordered the trial OF Leisler and his
son-in-law. Mibourne, for high treason. II
was on May Is. 1921. that these men met
the death OF martyrs right here. hun
dred yards from where we arc standing In
the park. about opposite the junction OF
Park Row and Spruce street. a few years
later. when the true facts were brought 10
light through the indefatigable efforts OF
the son OF Jacob Leiser and the most
prominent citizens Of the colony, the ac-
cusatlons against him were declared to have
been unwarranted and unfounded: his
property. which had been confiscated. was
restored TO his family. and the bodies Of
I.eisler and Milbournc were buried in Sep
tember 1895. In the churchyard back of the
church which stood On what is now known
as Exchange Place"
Presented TO the United German Societies
bv Dr Max Walter as representative OF |
the city Of Frankfort. the trees were turned
over 10 the city by Mr.. Sutro. Commis
sioner Stover accepted them.
Some have told me- he said that
L.eisler was q traitor. have waded through
nve different histories OF the city. and they
have said without exception. that he was
n man worthy Of commemoratlon forever.
7 have found no street, no park. no alley
In this city named after Leiscr. and il IL
appropriate that we should spend a little ~
the cty's money TO plant this pair OF oaks
from Ieislcr's birthplace in memory OF him.
I hope that in addition a statue OF Leiser
may be erected beside that ole Nathan
Hale
Memorial Trees Are Planted.
To the music OF the bugle corps OF the
New York Turner cadets the trees were set
in the ground. while a number OF the froch-
coated herren and bonneted fraaen turned
TO and shovelled the dirt back into the
holes The German shamrocks which still
clung green and tender to the roots disap-
pesred into the pockets OF those near by
as souvenirs OF tho occasion and OF the
old land across the sea.
Professor Marion ~ Learned of the Unit
verslty Of pepnsyly ended the cere-