The Washington herald., 1922-01-07
PRESIDENTS WIFE
UNVEILS STATUE
OF JEANNE DARC
Secretary of War Accepts
Society's Gift to
Washington.
Continued from Paae one.

tory OF resurrecttons, explained NJ
Jusserand. French Ambassador.
There are minutes when France
dies and rises again. She died and
arose when the Saracens came.
again In the Middle Ages. In her
most critical moment in the Hun
dred Years War. this. girl came.
Then, during our revolution and
your Revolution. when II seemed
that the spirit OF France was weak
ening. the spirit of Jeanne dare
came again. Her history is unique
in the history of the world: One day
a peasant girl. the next, greater
than generals. Her motto fits your
republic as well as ours mag
Rificent summing up. She is q
model. not to initiate, for that would
be impossible, but an Inspiration in
the knowing of her existence"
Thanks from France.
A cablegram from President MIL
lerand of France to President
Harding. who witnessed the unveil-
ing, was read by the French AM
basssdor. "Your presence and that
of Mrs. Harding at the Inauguration
OF the statue Of Jeanne dare at
Washington touches the French
people very deeply" II read. Il am
sure, therefore. to be its faithful
interpreter in addressing to you all
my thanks for the tribute you are
rendering our national heroine. Her
sublime virtue will be better under
stood by the women of the United
States in that, as they have shown
us, they know how to practice to
the highest degree courage and de-
votion."
The French Ambassador also
pinned on Mime. Polifeme, in the
name of the Republic OF France,
the medal of the officer Of public
instruction of the nation. and pre-
sented her with a small gold replica
of the statue. Mime. Polifeme is the
president and founder of lie Lyceum.
For the women of America, Mrs.
George Maynard Minor, president
of the Daughters Of the American
Revolution, made the speech of ac-
ceptance. This occasion Is the
spirit of the women Of France
speaking to the spirit OF the women
Of America" she said. ''It Is pecu-
liarly fitting that the Daughters of
the American Revolution be chosen
to represent American women in
receiving the monument, for the
organization represents America it.
self, its Institutions. and its pa
triotism. the forefathers who fought
and died for liberty.
Is Jeanne Inearsate.
This monument Is the expression
of admiration for France-the
France who was Jeanne incarnate.
who led the hosts in the world war.
and said. They shall not pass 1t
Is the emblem of faith in the di-
vine guidance of God In this. the
French peasant girl and the Eng
Iish Pilgrims stretch hands across
the Atlantic.
so long as Jeanne listened to
the spirits. she led the armies OF
France. Thus may II ever be to
nations who love liberty and hate
tyranny and license. Let US hold
to the vision. or we perishi When
the conference Is meeting we have
need especially to lean on the faith
of the peasant girl. 1t will guide
us today II we will but listen. Let
us have faith in the council around
the table of peace. faith in their
good motives and their earnestness,
and the spirit that led Jeanne dare
to victory will lead the world to
peace"
The Rev. Charles Wood pro-
nounced the benediction, the audi
ence and the members ofLe Lyceum.
who had come from New York for
the ceremony, led by Mrs. Nathaniel
Brandon. concluded the program by
singing the Battle Hymn OF the
Republic" with music by the United
States Army Band, the many nota-
Bile personages present lending en-
thusiastie assistance.
The statue. which stands on a
very high point of land, is a small
copy of Dubois equestrian monu-
ment which stands before the
Cathedral OF Rheims. and which Is
considered one of the masterpieces,
not only of French art, but of eques-
trian statuary. 1t is ten feet long
and nine feet high, and stands on a
base six feet high. All during the
ceremony members of lie Lyceum,
bearing the French colors, stood
guard beside the figure. They.
with the American soldiers and
sailors and the flying banners. made
a brilliant picture In the bright
afternoon sun