Evening star., 1922-01-07
LAUDS
MAID OF ORLEANS
Statue to Jeanne dare
Unveiled at Meri-
dian Park.

Jeanne dArc IL q model. not to
initiate, for that would be impossible,
but an inspiration in the knowing of
her existence" was . pertinent part
Of q tribute paid yesterday to the
"Maid Of Orleans" by Jules Jusser-'
and. ambassador from France. at the
ceremonies incident to the unvsiling
Of the statue of this famous French
heroine in Meridian Park.
'"The history Of France Is a history
Of resurrections," the distinguished
French diplomat continued. There
are minutes when France dies and
then rises again. She died and arose
again when tho Saracens came. In
her most critical moment in the
hundred years war Jeanne dare
and your revolution. when 1t seemed
as though the spirit Of France was
weak ening, the spirit Of this brave
young woman came again. Her MS
tory Is unique in the history of the
world-one day q peasant girl. the
next In q position Of Importance
greater than that Of a field marshal"
Society Complinented.
Ambassador Jusserand compliment
ed the members Of the Soctete des
Femmes de France, New York. who
donated this statute to the District
Of Columbia, for their patriotism ana
their energies. He then pinned on
the waist OF Nine. Carlo Polifeme,
name Of the French republic. the
medal Of the officer OF public instruc..
tion of the nation. He also presented
to her a small gold replica OF the
statue which was unveiled. the orig
inal of which now stands IN fronG OF
hot
ambassador thanked President and
Mrs Harding for being present. and
read the cable message from the pres
ident of France to Mr.. Harding, which
Your presence and that Of Mrs.
Harding at the Inauguration Of the
statue Of Jeanne dare at Washington
touches the French people very deep
". 1 am sure. therefore. to be ITS
faithful interpreter in addressing 70
you all my thanks for the trinute you
are rendering our national heroine.
Her sublime virtue will be better un.
derstood by the women Of the United
States in that. as they have SHOWN
us, they know how to practice TO
the highest degree courage ana oe-
votion."
Secretary Weeks Accepts.
Secretary of War Weeks made brief
speech in formally accepting the gift
Mrs. George M. Minor, president gem
| eral Of the Daughters Of the American
Revolution, and Nine. Polifeme also
made addresses. Mrs. Minor, as the
representative of American women,
stated: This occasion is the spirit OF
the women of France speaking to the
spirit Of the women of America. and 1t
Is peculiarly fitting that the Daughters
! of the American Revolution be chosen
10 represent the women Of the latter,
| for that organization represents Amer
lea itself. it's institutions and its
patriotism and the forefathers who
fought and died for liberty"
i Lieut.. Col. c. o. Sheriff.. supertn-
tendent of public buildings and grounds
and executive officer of the Fine Arts
Commission, through whom the statue
was given. presided at the exercises.
| Invocation was pronounced by Rev.
Pere r. Wucher of New York. and
Rev. Charles Wood of the Church of
the Covenant pronounced the benedtc-
ton.
More than 1000 men, women and
children were gathered in the park to
witness the exercises. among them be-
| ing many distinguished persons. In
cluding President and Mrs. Harding.
The latter, with Nine. Jusserand.
pulled the strings that unveiled the
bronze statue. which act was followed
\ by a salute of seventeen guns by q
battery of artillery from Fort Myer.