Year: 1876

the Republic OF France plants his the chief
city OF the American Republic and both countries here
honor the memory of him whose glory has taken the
FIRST step Of its march through the centuries OF time
In the Revolution In which nation had its birth the
help OF France WAS generously extended and Lay elite
stands forth, not only as the youthful soldier whom
his country sent TO encourage us but ardent heroic
grand In his purposes fearless In his energies and
umphant In the end, the type the spirit OF France
which sent HIM II is precisely this idea Of Lafayette
wnich you VIII see embodied In the work
OF the sculptor which about 10 DO
veied and this statue Will stand here to express
alike the character OF Lafayette and conception
OF the character OF France In the nations OF the
earth VIII recognize what the two countries, typned
In tho man who Is the exponent OF their common
spirit, have achieved tor the freedom OF the world
The city OF New York is honored by the attend
IL is ths work OF Barbold that most eminent French
sculptor, whom graf es This day to have present
II Is tho g'it OF the Republic Of France, and will be
presented through the Consul General Ii Will be
ceivcd by the Mayor OF the city OF New York.
THE CONSUL GENERALS ADDRESS
NJ Breuii, the Consul General OF France AT this
port then stepped forward and formally the
statue to the city OF New York in the following


Mr. MAYoR--It is my good fortune to be intrusted.
by virtue OF the Office which h with the pleasant
duty OF presenting TO you as Chief Magistrate and
representative OF tue city OF New York, the OF
my countrymcn, the statue OF General Lafayette. In
dong so am glad TO avail myself OF this opportunity
to express The gratitude OF France for the and
hearty sympathy which the United States have mani


Tested toward her Oh various and recent OCCASIONS To
celebration which has brought us together, | must
leave the honor aud pleasure of paying to ,he brave
and chivalrous Lafayette the tribute OF respect which
lac has well deserved.


The STATUE UNVEILED


At the conclusion OF the Consui's address NJ Bar
thodi tue sculptor OF the statue unveiled the hgure
by simply running up the American ensign that en-
veloped until the flag 10 the top OF the flagstaff
aud noaed III the air midway between the Two Fronch
ensigns on either band As the stars and Stripes
and the outlines OF the new statue were revealed 10


the eyes OF The thousands OF spectators cheer followed
cheer ia sapd succession, while hats and handker-
chiefs were waved 10 tumu!tuocs fashion. Ii
scene not to be readily forgotten,
b
the cheering still sounding air the
Seventh Regiment Band and tho Choral Society
lEsperance gave the Marselalse hymn accompanied
by the guns OF battery of the United States artillery
The ash OF brass instruments the thrilling tones Of
ted decided effect the spectators and their enthu
si"sm rose to even greater height than before
DESCRIPTION OF THE STATUE.
The statue Is OF he sze about one-thrd larger
than life In pose the figure Is nearly the
forward the left loot advanced and the the right
lightly touching the ground and balancing She body.


different action is gwen to the upper part from tho
head 10 The waist II being turned 10 the efi giving TO


the whole figure series OF sweeping curved lines Tue
right arm is bent and the hand holds the hilt
of the sword the left shoulder The left arm
slightly extended from the body, and the head is
thrown back, The face looking directly forward and
agreeing th the movement of the body Tho hair is
brushed smoothly from he and tied queue at
the back the uniform is that OF French officer. with
epaulees the shoulders Of the long coat of the De
Rod, a shorter waiscoat than generally worn, a
military cloak dropping from the left shou der and
over the arm, knee breeches and top boots with





stands on the bow Of boat apparently IN notion
Lafayette supposed to be greeting the founders of
land tor which they we're struggling He offers
them hs sword symbolical Of his deslre to aid them
complete even to the spurs Artistcaly the statue is
very successful There is some line modelling in the
upper part and the bend of The back is especially nne.


MAYOR wIcKHAM's ADDRESS


AS soon as comparative silence had been obtained
Hs Honor Mayor wickham rose and accepted the
statue IN behalf OF the city Of New YORK in the follow
address,


Mr. CONSUL GEsERAL--The city OF New York accepts
this stauc with the thanks OF all her people to the
French Republic for 1t, reciprocat!ng the feeling
which the gift is made and entertaining the highest
appreciation of the lustrous character OF your great
countryman, who himself the precious gilt
OF France TO these United States The sympathy to
which you REFER and which all Americans ieel the
fortunes and welbeing OF France, began with the
advent OF lafayette among forefathers, has con-
tinued TO this day. ana is itself tribute part TO
him. His greatest monument, inscribed with the ad-
nring and ahectionate regard with which now the
fourth generation OF rocmen here cherishes his
oy is seen IN te growth prosperity and power OF the
nation whose liberties he efficiently helped 10 Sc
cure. So long as history remains his n. will be a
household word throughout the broad region between
the Atlantic and facihc oceans, where In each OF the
States, county town is now honored' bearing
IT. and in bis lame every Frenchman will share with
every American n common heritage OF glory.


w rejoice that New York has been selected as the
custodian of this memento OF him. and, setting ii up
here IN this the most OF the public places or
tie city and IN the immediate neIghborhood Of the
statues OF Washington and Lincoln, summon all
mankind 20 reverence the examples they have left


shall rot mako al extended discussion Of the life and
character of General lafayette leaving that duty
the eloquent orator who Will follow me. But you Will
pardon me, am sure, for adding that. TO all who
hope FOR the peTpetuiiy of republican institutions
and who favor the o. liberty everywhere, 1t is
subject OF congratulation that at this timc the
thoughts Of France TO Lafayette and that
the government there, IN presenting this statue u.s.
s @ yust aple ecu'ioh oi .ne lesson "nicn
his lie taught and which all republics must study II
they would deserve TO endure In many respects La
iayette was ne Washington. HIS great character.
istc IN public as in private life was his
moderation. He the champion OF liberty
bu, of a liberty regulated by law and exercised
with due regard to the rights o. others and the
stability OF the social order. He leaned the
vagares OF the radical who works confusion. Nor did
he counonance with his approval schemes OF tho
imperialists, who-whether prosecuting OF am
biton, when he dazzies with military splendor;
patroniz'ng Inc arts OF peace, when he oeguies with
the giit OF material nrosperity-aways robs the ind
vdua OF The independence and sell reliance without
which there is no real and enduring greatness In a
people While, therefore, we talk Cf liberty fraternity
and equality; while hope for tho continuance and
stability OF the two grea, Republics here represented
TO day and dream OF the progress OF free institutions
until all mankind shall enjoy their blessings-ths
statue is accepted by US as reminder by France
America that Will only be when all the heroes OF
moderation which distinguished Washington and
Lafayette, that the vision can be realized.


When the throb longer and the battle aags
In the Paramen, Of man. the federation Of the world
tApplausel


ADDRESS BY MR. coupxRr


The band then played "Hal Columbia, ," after which
Mr.: b. X Coudert Was introduced and spoke as iol-
loss:-


rhe honorable gentleman who this day so acceptably
represents the Republic OF France has courteousy re-
ransd from pronouncing any eulo2y upon the eminent
man in whose honor We meet this day. l. too might
be wei excused II followed his example; for after me
comes speaker who Will address you In that charming
tongue winch he has so thoroughly mastered. and
wnlch affords brilliant setting TOR the recital of
heroic deeds and chIvalrous feats You may not nil
OF you understand him, though tho language
tnst be speaks is SO simple and easy that, you
may have heard, even the children speak IL
IN Franoel There seems to be an almost singular
appropriateness In this scene and its accom- pan meuts
The time. the place, tho surroundings all unite TO
make this ceremony more than ordinarily impressive
The day is the day OF our heros birth The year. the
GROWING year of century OF marvellous prosperity
aud growth he spot selected for the erection OF his
image s we can scarcely doubt the that he would
choose II he could now shake OF the impedments OF
the grove.


Amer glowing tribute TO the virtues and character OF
Lalay ette the speaker said Ills soul all plebian
be loved The peop-e from the ho tom OF bis heArL