The Brooklyn Daily Eagle from Brooklyn, New York • Page 7

i 7 THE BROOKLYN DAILY EAGLE. NEW YORK. SUNDAY. SEPTEMBER 30. 190C.

.7 SCENE AT THE UNVEILING OF THE WASHINGTON STATUE. ftunoi hi nun li uui UNVEILS STATUE thousand wrongs in system and in single added to the burden of this melancholy spirit. Silently, as the soul of the just makes war on sin; silently, as the spirit of tho mighty withstands the spit wrong; sileniiy, as the heart of the truly brave resists the assault of the coward, this prince of patience and of peace endured the calumny of the country he died to save. Homely Wisdom nnd No Bitterness. "In all tho ruin that fell about our country's patn, in all the wrong that soiieht to wreck our, country's growth, in all the curses that ell upon his huinblo spirit, from unworthy lips, in all the intrigue of erstwhile friends, in all th darkness of despair and in all the' noise of catastrophe there was not enough to force uiioii his gentle lips a word of accusation or of blame.

Search the lucid literature of his pen and not one word meant for the ruin of his fellow-man; recall tho homely wisdom of his spoken words aul not one thought designed to wranclson of the Donor. Onlu Two ears Old, Hero of the Occasion. Wfm AT PLAZA CHEER break the character and wound the spirit of his broiher creature. He rose from tho raw earth to the clear sky. but nowhere on that awful journey did he put his foot upon a human being.

He moved as a silent, solemn force from the shadow of the woods until his form was imaged in the soul of civilization; but nowhere on the way is there a scar upon his fellow-man. He came as a prophet out of the unreadable obscurity of the forest, but as we listen down the years that tell the story of his coming we cannot hear a Rhrady'a Equestrian Figure of Washington at Valley Forge Is Impressive. I single tuico crying out wool puiu WHICH i VHE ADDRESSES INTERESTING. Xdttleton Deserts MSS. to Score the i he inthctorl.

"And so it was with Washington and with Lincoln tie foui :l.r and the preserver of a great republic. How different-are we now; changed is all of this, In the midst of plenty and of pence, with a hundred years of education added to our people without treason, intrigue, murder, war r.r disunion our whole public life, our entire privy affairs, our religion, our politics, our press, is made up of charge and counter-charge, of graft among the spectators as he climbed from: spirit of the donor, accented It on behnlt the prostrate prowess of England's un lnclosure and suggested that It would be proper to the monument before turning it over to the city. Laughingly of the city of New York. Mr. Coler spoke questioned valor.

The armies under his titude was unloosed. Volley after volley of hearty cheers crashed out. Men waved their hats and sticks, while women shook Carpers at American Civilization. as follows: command did not march over conquered Sir 1 accept this splendid statue on eouni i-ics an example nf force. They behalf of the Borough of Brooklyn.

whoM gave up their lives in lull sight of their Mr. Howe rppllcd that he would give It. their handkerchiefs. The Twenty-third flag and all, but the son Insisted, and Regiment Band struck up a patriotic air Anally prevailed. and a thousand voices were lifted in til! seat, a policeman threw open the door and the laughter gave place to loud cheering as ex-Mayor Sehieren, chairman of the monument committee; the Rev.

Dr. Edward W. McCarty. of the St. Augustine H.

C. Church, and James R. Howe, the donor of the statue, stepped out. The first two named gentlemen walked to the stand, but Mr. Howe President 1 am still.

1 accept it but to mime as a sacrifice to liberty. His cour- turn it over immediately, as Brooklyn is see net ha tor the plaudit! A little midget of a golden-haired boy, fliad all In white and casting anxious glances over his Bhoulder at his mother, iave a great, big tug with his chubby Some one then signalled to Inspector chorus. in the habit of turning over all good of a world committed to a pollny of ag-things to the City of New York, and I grcssion; it rested upon conscience en-express to you. sir. and to the generous- trusted with the destiny at country In- From the police lines several photo- climbed back into the carriage and drovo I hearted and patriotic citizen whose liber- tent upon liberty and peace.

The story Wads on the rope; the American flag be Gross, who was standing in front of the stand. The tall, broad-shouldered police Inspector mado his way to the seat which Mrs. Howe, 2d, occupied, Just to the rear of the speakers' box. Lifting Master ality and honesty have borne fruit In thisjof hu heroism did nut speed Willi the occasion and in this monument, the grati- I swiftness of lightning around the world tude of the most honest and most intelli-! and dwell upon the lips of men. It was graphers hurried toward the statue, planting their cameras to right and left.

Dy word and gesture they succeeded in making Mr. Howe, the father, understand that they wished to take a picture of his baby son, standing right where he was. Mr. Howe, 2d, consented. Ho faced the little fellow toward the photographers away.

to return with the members of his family. In the meantimo the speakers' stand had been filling rapidly. Looking over Its rows of seats, one saw assembled there men prominent in every walk of the Borough's life. Among the familiar faces were thos! of former Mayor David A. Boody, Colonel William Hesijir, former Borough President Martin W.

Littleton, Howe, 3d, from her lap, the inspector strode off with the boy in his arms, carrying him down the aisle and steps to the ground, where ho Bat him down. and anti-graft, or crimination and recrimination. I to dwell in silent contemplation uoo'i the spirit and genius of these noble nu n. I love lo think of statesmanship in the upper air away from th" grime an-! dust of sordid enterprise. I have no patience with a creed whose foundation Is a curse.

I take no stock in the philosophy whose base Is built on blood. I have no patience with a statesmanship resting upon assault. 1 have no faith in a policy planted upon tho ruin of character. I have no confidence In the stability of politics made up of accusation and denial. I do not share the popular alarm lh.it all business is bribery and that nil partnership In plunder.

Washington a Man of Wealth. "Washington was a man of wealth and yet. ho was 'first in war, first in peace Father and mother followed closely, while i and hastened down me steps 10 uib i-it, 1 ground. For two or three seconds the never luily told until commerce curried It away under its whitening sails, uti-lil railroiitls thundered it. out across the piainf.

until factories shouted II Prniu New England's hills, until harvests whispered it into the beautiful valleys of liie South. "The final victories of his faithful armies did not raUe him up as the embodiment of undisputed force: it reared instead the fabric of a free government into whose every branch he Infused the spirit, of peace and liberty. "The nations of I he earth may make the seas to frown with formidable navies; gent community In this country. It is a most notable gift Htul it conies at a most, opportune time. Looking at this heroic liguro that is foreverniore to stnnd guard above this splendid plaza, it is really not the great soldier citizen who was the first 'in our line of Illustrious men that I see here.

It. is something more deeply significant than any mere man: for this Is a statue of conscience, this is a proud enduring sign and token that In a day when some politicians are corrupt and nearly all are charged with being corrupt: that in a day when leaders of the financial world are not honest even with hind the folds of which the statue had teen hidden parted and fell like a huge taantle from the hlghly-pollBhed bronze; volley of cheers crashed out, and the queBtrian figure of General George Washington, the gift of former Register James it. Hows to the City of New York, stood tfflclally unveiled in the presence of the rast crowd that gathered at the Williamsburg Bridge Plaza yesterday afternoon to view the Imposing ceremonies. Enthusiasm distinguished the unfolding Iif every plan the monument committee inidget-hero stood still on the pedestal Controller Metz. Colonel Edward E.

Brit- box, regarded the little fellow with the proud and loving eye of a grandfather. ton, the grand marshal. Colonel James ID till) blJUUim Ul IU. Ulft UVI Click ent the cameras. Then Master Howe was seized with a great fear.

As fast as his fat little legs could carry him, he ran across the broad stone and half tumbled down the steps. He was on the point of falling flat when a policeman caught him in outstretched Baby Howe Does His Work Well. At the foot of the steps there was a moment's wait. Then the father seized one chubby little hand and Inspector Cross the other, and Master Howe be- I). Bell.

Henry Batterman, Thomas T. Peters, Colonel Hlbhert B. Mailers, Frederick H. Schroeder, Commissioner of Records John K. Nell, Alderman John l)i-mer, chairman of the aldermanlc committee, several Justices of the Supreme Court and nearly every public official In Brooklyn.

Herbert F. Gunnison, one of the nembors the monument committee, was early on hand, having gone over from the reception at the Hanover Club ahead of the majority of the guests to see that no hitches occurred in connection with the seating of those irvlted to witness the ceremonies from the speakers' stand. It was exactly 3 o'clock when Mr. Howe's carriage returned to the Plaza. As he and the members of his family.

Including Master Howe, alighted another enthusiastic cheer went up. which increased in volume as the party was escorted to their seats. Mr. Howe took tho front seat at the right hand of tho speakers box. Seated with him in the enclosure were Dr.

M-Oarty, the Rev. David G. Downey, pastor of St. John's M. K.

Church; ex-Mayor Sehieren, President McGow.in and Borough President Coler. Speech of Ex-Mayor Sehieren. 'if I Promptly at 3 o'clock the band struck I tho opening notes of "Hail, Columbia," I after the playing of which Dr. McC'arty arose and offered the invocation, while tho audience stood with heads bared. Ex- 1 IliJl' i I Wi 'Wt Mayor Sehieren then presented, on behalf of tho monument committee, the statue to Mr.

Howe. The former mayor read his speech from manuscript, delivering it In a voice which those In the speakers stand had no difficulty In hearing after the opening sentences. An enthusiastic burst of applause followed his statement that this was the first instance on record where a public officer had given lo the mm Unveiling the Statue. Williamsburg Trust Company Building Decorations. arms and handed him to his father who Uid him proudly back to his mother.

Forceful Addresses Delivered. tween them trudged across the Intervening space to the statue. Up to the stone stops at the base of the monument he climbed, though It was just about all he city from his salary or fees of office so magnificent a statue. Here is what Mr. Sehieren said: "On behalf of the rommittee appointed to obtain a statue of George Washington, to be presented to this city, big leave to report that we' have completed the tpsk Imposed upon us, and ate ready to turn the statue over to you.

"Th; committer has taken opcel.il prido in the performance of this duty, believing that this is the first instance on record where a public official, from his public Income has presented so magnificent a work of art as this colossal statue represents, to the community. "It Is Indeed a most noble gift from a man who has served the people In numerous capacities most faithfully, and it will ever stand as a worthy example of patriotism to futuro generations. "The selection of the subject "Tho Father of His Country," as suggested, was a most happy one. It will Inspire love of country In the breasts of the hun- Master Howe's unveiling of the statue. could do to make his baby legs reach however, was not the only feature of tho occasion.

There were speeches of pre nad so carefully mapped out to bring to a successful issue the public-spirited un-Uertaklng of Mr. Howe. But no feature of the entire occasion so touched the heart strings of the 40,000 spectators as the picture of Master James R. Howe, 3d, the tiny 2-year-old grandson of the donor, trudging up to the pedestal and, with the touch of his baby fingers, imparting the climax to the pageant. The little fellow was all unconscious of the Important part ho so quaintly played.

and first in the hearts of his The time in which ho lived was so simple that there were no trustees to act for others. Tho complicated affairs of to-day have made it necessary in walk of life that men should hold positions of trust. The true reason for the apparent fall in the standard of Integrity Is because of the fact that positions of trust have multiplied with our civilization. In tile days of the Revblu-tion. wealth was in the earth and in the seasons.

To-day it is expressed in stocks and bonds and held by those who stand for others as guardians over its value. from one step to the next. And all the while he was craning his little neck in the direction of the stand, wondering why In the world it was that his mother remained standing there instead of following her son on his important journey. Having gained the top of the steps, father grasped a rope which hung from themselves; that In a day when the whole they may make the earth tremble with nation, sickened with sham and revolted 'the endless procession of their armies, by revelations of corruption, cries out for The pageantry of modern warfare may some true thing some real thing a manidazzlc mankind with increasing splendor, of the people weighed out his wage, not but wo of America should never forget with his cunning, not with his power, tbc most, powerful fleet that rides even with the measure of the written law, upon the sea and the most Invincible but with his conscience alone. I army that marches over the land, is but Here Is a lesson Indeed for those who Idrift and numbers compared with the un-have found ways of taking an unj'ust I yielding spirit of a people who love their profit from all the people without danger country.

of collision with the penal code. Hero Is I "In civil life he moved with measured a lesson for our great corporation kings I Htrengi toward the sanest end; he whose thought of honesty is not to sell worked with poise and balance for the a thing for what it. is worth but for what. surest point; he wrought with finest faith they can get for it. Here is an example in enduring things, lie did not wither set by an office holder who believed the up in the company of the conservative; services that he gave to the public not he did not run away in harness with the scntation and of' acceptance.

There was an address by former Borough President Martin W. Littleton, who, after paying a high tribute to the memory of Washington and Lincoln, and to the civic spirit of the donor, electrified his audience by tossing aside his manuscript and launching into a brilliantly bitter attack on those carpers who would find fault with He was frightened almost out of his wits. all that is American, and concluding withl()reits of people who dally cross the Man Wistfully he looked back at his mother where the flag-veil was fastened around as his father led him across the space Washington's head, and placed the free between the speakers' stand and I he end of It in the infant's hands. There statue, pleading that she, too, would fol- was a pause, lasting for perhaps ten low. And, when the unveiling was ac-! sccond3.

Then the golden-haired little compllshed and his father left him for boy gave a very childish tug on the rope. an equally brilliant defense of America, hattan Bridge. No better place for the its people and their ways. There was a1 statue could have been selected. Im-parade in which the flower of Brooklyn's posing grandeur it stands, helping to military and civic organizations was re-maije the very name of George Washing-viewed by Major General Frederick Dent lon hailed by all the nations of the The way In- ii.c' his wealth was as much credit lo bis patriotism as was the way he used his s.vord.

The vice of modern life is iKit th-' wronirs that men commit, but the reckless use of power which they Grant, and, finally, there was the crown i a minute standing on the broad base, I Grown men at the ends of other ropes itself as representative and enthusiastic Mr. Howe, in delivering his speech of and interesting a multitude as ever con- worthy of the wage that the law set for radical he did not disturb the public such services, and who, therefore, after mind by teaching it to wani; he did not careful consideration, set a measure upon disappoint world with promises of the value of his own work and. scorning things it should not have; be was honest to keep of the public's money one single without being excited about it; he was in- i dollar that his own conscieriL-e considered dust rious without having the strokes re- unearned, returned to the public the b.il-i corded; he was patriotic without over- ance between what, he thought, was his talking; he had the power of a trusted rightful wage and the amount the law; ruler and ho used it as the humblest compelled him lo lake for his services, In i citizen. piimieiii iiuiu on hh cameras, he so little understood what is of the grandstand also heavod. The folds I unveiling ceremony acceptance, spoke very deliberately anil emphatically, driving every point home with telling force.

He frequently deviated from his manuscript, elaborating on the theme that no matter what else comes and goes, liberty goes on forever. "The spirit of liberty lives to-day." exclaimed Mr. Howe. "Look at it right there." he declared, pointing with out- The early morning had not augured well for the success of the pageant. Dark, threatening clouds hung low from horizon to horizon.

A raw. biting wind blew out of the east, and now and then the form of this monument And so. to my mind, it is not Washing few drops of ram fell. It looked as ton that Is exalted here hut the conscience nf an honest man that, is enthroned upon that, pedestal which I now. on behalf of the Borough of Brooklyn, turn over to the City of New York.

Tt n.l,. nA If the Shradv masterpiece of the Father stretched arm to the statue his grandson I of His Country would be unveiled in was soon to unveil. "Long may It oc inate the American people that spirit for "The strongest thing about the character of the two greatest men in American history is the fact that they did noi surrender to the passim of the time. Washington withstood the From radicalism of Jefferson and the British conservatism of Hamilton. He invited each of them into his cabinet he refused to allow cither of them lo dictate his policy.

His enemies could not lerrify him by assault; bis 1 "i which Vhlntnn wa. tho (which Washington sacrificed so much at I Vallev Foree and in recoenition of which I at Valley Forge so much blood was shed." i But, as the noon hour approached, rifts When Mr. Howe reached the point In hlsi hl" to two of his was wig-wagging furiously i friends could not deceive him with flat- address where he was to present the tery. In this respect he resembled in statue formally to the borough, through President Coler, his son leaned over the appeared in the clouds, big stretches of blue streaked across the heavens and I presently the spacious spread of the plaza was flooded with the mellow rays of a mid-autumn sun. The breeze veered to the southwest, snapping out the Stars I and Stripes with which all Williamsburg was decorated, and the crowd began to fellow men who were perched on top of (he Brooklyn tower of the Williamsburg Bridge.

They read the flag-Innguage, answered It and, in turn, wig-wagged to a member of the corps stationed on the recioving ship Hancock in the Brooklyn Navy Yard. As soon as I' r' jmi" railing and suggested that it would be better to unveil the monument before presenting It. "No, I'll present It just as It stands, flagg and all," laughed Mr. Howe. He would enjoy started to continue, but Mr.

Howe, 2d, assemble confident that it i he received the message that the statue had been unveiled, the signal was given land a national salute of 21 guns boomed from the ship. Insisted that the statue snouiu nrst De fine weather. 1.7 It assembled earlv. At 2 n'cloilr nn officially unveiled and finally Mr. Howe hour before the ceremonies were sched- yielded to his son's wishes.

It was then uled to commence, the large grand stand, that Master Howe was carried from the erected to the east of the statue, was stand, led over to the statue which he fttleil tO tin lllmnst rnnunllv ulth a Ihpnna lint. Meri nmiri such ereat enthusiasm. .1 3. 1 of Ksy'y-spparelled men and women, while When the party returned to the stand, 3 'more than 7fi0 hineennte trt rii 1 Mr Rnwp thp donor arose, and continued Mr. Littleton's Speech.

After Mr. Shrady had been introduced, amid much applause, to the audience, the band sounded the opening notes of "The Star Spangled Banner." which Mrs. Lillian Williamson sang very effectively to the brass accompaniment. Former Borough President Littleton then entered the speaker's box and delivered the formal at the scone, under, command of Police his speech. Mr.

Howe's speech orig 1 ikH Inspector Adam Cniss. had difficulty in Inallv prepared by him read as follows: Mr. Howe's Speech. Chairman and Gentlemen nf the "Mr. I edrlress of the occasion.

It was a. Klowtllg Keeping without the ropes which walled off the space Immediately surrounding the monument the thousands upon thousands of men and women, boys and girls, who ever and anon surged forward as if anxious to carry the lines by storm. Nearby fences accommodated hundreds of reckless youth, determined at all haz Committee of Construct ion I accept of I ouloKy of Washington and Lincoln and this work from you. Through storm and Mr jttleton was frequently Interrupted through sunshine you have been true to bv "handclapping and cheering. Here is the trust confided to you in the erection th(, boroueh president's speech: marked degree the splendid character of Lincoln, and since their birthdays each fall within the same month and we are called upon to contemplate their charac- ters so close together, it is not nut of thu way to pay a passing tribute to Lincoln.

I Lincoln's Single Thought, Justice. "With him the single light that led his feet aloair the hard highway of life was Justice; the single thought that throbbed his brain to sleep at night was justice; the single prayer that pur in whispered words, the might and meaning of his soul was Justice; the single impulse that lingered In a heart already wrung by a nation's grief was justice; in every word that, fell from him in touching speech there; was the sad and sober spirit of justice. In every line of chastest literature that spelled his spirit out in words, there was the quiet solemn plea for justice. The time in which he lived was made the test of the nation's life. Coming with a cloud not larger than a man's hand, the storm had grown until the country groped in settled night.

The only light that reached to the far South and the distant North, that penetrated the remote West, that struck into the East was this pillar of patriotic fire transfiguring the raw and rugged frame of Lincoln. He sat upon the storm when the nation shook with passion. He calmly looked into the dark when the continent trembled with rage and resentment. He turned to New England for help and had his gentle spirit suing to silence bv the honest zeal and unjust reproach of Phillips. He turned to N'W York and the North for help and the appeal was lost in the neglect and noise of the market place.

He turned to the West for help and found the straggling soldiery ready to do i ltd i ff rent service, He fumed toward the South to behold the combined strength of brain and blood marc hing to the muse of dis-union. The press at the outset had thrown its ac of this equestrian statue of General George Washington. 1 greatly appreci- ards lo get good view of the proceed radius of ate vour fidelity and sterling endeavors ings. while housetops within i a half-mile were black with humanity. In developing and completing this work.

fk'K beni on seeing, even if they could not Mr. Chairman, allow me to extend to you "Mr. Chairman, and Ladies and Gentlemen We come together to look with loving recollection upon the deeds of the noble dead; to search with earnest faith the forces that filled up his life; to feel again the genuine spirit of patriotic zeal: to catch and hold the uplifting inspiration that kindles a hundred years into fadeless glory. We pause to let our memories go bck over hear. Forty thousand Is a conservative and to each member of the eofnmiltee my I estimate of the nimjber of spectators personal thanks, and the thanks of the at and near the Plaza when the I entire community.

And now i bend lifted the official curtain by playing! "Mr. President of the Borough. It is my I "Hail Columbia." privilege and pleasure to present to the i Borough nf Brooklyn nnd to the City of Mitt? 1 the ruin of the run-oiii. years and bring runcturtmy was ujocttiiKe. Nrw York through you this equestrian i I i the benediction of a blessed name, story of his life is in the mist of It was typical of the eutire proceedings 1 statue of General George Washington, -pi.

that evervthinK moved with ciocKtitte ramttiurty Known an etvinzeu punctuality and regularity. A closed car Three Generations of tho Howe Fan ily, riage drove up to the speakers' stand ijK r. a little before 3 o'clock and General Grant, accompanied by Mrs. Grant. Gen- 1 parted, and Henry! McLeer and ex-Senator fleirge W.

lands as Father of the American Republic nnd also as first in war. first in peace, and will ever be first in the hearts of his countrymen. Accept of it. sir, land in the age3 to come may it stand as an Inspiration to patriotism. Aye, more an Incentive to everything that goes further develop the spirit nf the rait hers of the American Republic and to nowadays expected of one who is seiectml of the silken flag-v Eagle Eastern District Branch Decorations.

in uMt. ms'icciur cross in-statuly cleared a path and escorted the party to the seats assigned them in the stand. Scarcely bad the cheering attend- ent on their arrival subsided when Bor perpetuate its grandeur and glory and to unveil monuments that he ran across i Merwln Shrady's conception In bronze of the stone, half tumbled down the steps General George Washington, as ap-and would have gone sprawling had not peared mounted on his English hunter at an alert policeman canght him in hi3 Valley Forge, was revealed to the expee-arms. tiint throng. Mr.

Howe finished his brief speech of I The brief moment of silence nlway acceptance of the statue from the com- born of such occasions ensued. For half well-meant praise; the record of his service, is in ihe strained words of scholars and oraiors. hut i he Lessons of his patriotism lincer in homely sentiiiieni in the hearts of the generations that, follow him. Biographers may embellish wi'h ornate language or blunder in excited declamation; historians may write with unerring aim or struggle wiili unmeaning deduction, but the world everywhere will come to know the lesson of his life. "He lived and cave bis toil to human kind in simpler times: a soldier, he drew his sword to save to all tli" world a virgin reoublic; a statesman, be lifted up bis voice to measure th" meaning of a people bound to Be free: a rich nihil, he used his wealth to preserve i lie country from whiih it came.

His triumphs on the field nf battle do not rest upon the ruin of unworthy foes. They arc built upon ouch President Coler appeared, losely the noble principle of 'a government of people, and for the the people, by mittee at .3:05 o'clock, turning to toiiowefi ny t'atricK r. presi-deti of the Board of Aldermen, District At term John F. Clarke and Colonel Andrew D. Bnird.

Next came a closed carriage, on the of which was seated beside the driver ex-Senator George A. Owens. He waa almost burled behind a large floral piece aud caused do little merriment po.3pss, who i hor it bo tho powor of i ho power of influoiKv, or th pow-T of KOIlillS. "Lookint; barkwaM. h- y.v-irs that rfa-'h from now to thon havr wrought a m.r.irl.' men and rhinos.

Tho swollina: host of mm anil women forsook tho of ousutii rih.ir1 an.l pouro-l their vYcr-iuavasius iuia the Xl- customed "fit" nnd then filled up wiih doubt. The pulpit, free from practical restraints, went to the very edge of madness and railed because Lincoln not follow. l'olit icians rati av ay in huniiliatine haste unci took their stand just out of reach of either side and close enough to claim identity with either. Treason, wraog, injustice, triple, stdft, a Borough President Bird S. Color, was people." Address of President Coler.

President Coler accepted the statue on behalf of the Borough of Brioklyn and Mr. McGowan. in a few well-chosen remarks which he referred to the beauty ot the statue and lauded the high civic a minute you could almost hear the frightened breathing of the tiny tot. as, nestling close to his father. Master Howe tried to hide from the gaze of the crowd.

about to present It formally to the borough, when his son, James R. Howe, 2d, leaned over th erailing of the speakers' Then the pent-up enthusiasm of the mul-.