ADDRESS BY MAYOR STEVENS

Mayor Stevens in assuming the chairmanship spoke as follows:

Over half a century has passed since the close of the Civil War and I feel a deep sense of gratitude that I am permitted to be here today and take part in the ceremonies of the unveiling of a monument to my old commander, Gen. Philip H. Sheridan.

I want to express the appreciation of the city of Albany, the heartfelt appreciation of the survivors of Sheridan's command who are assembled here today, the appreciation of the survivors of Sheridan's command scattered throughout the state of New York.

I want to express this appreciation, through Governor Whitman, to the State of New York and to the commander and members of Philip H. Sheridan Camp, Sons of Veterans, and to the citizens of Albany who contributed so generously to the fund that made this event possible, and I am not unmindful of the valuable services rendered by the eminent citizen of Albany, the man who inspired the sentiment that brings us here today, the Hon. Martin H. Glynn.

I do not possess the eloquence to do so, nor is it my function. to speak of the great military genius, the great services rendered to the Nation by General Sheridan. This will be dwelt upon by the eminent speakers whom I shall have the honor to introduce.

My only desire is to express the appreciation of all concerned for this beautiful memorial- dedicated to the memory of Gen. Philip H. Sheridan, in the city of his birth.

The band struck up the patriotic medley "Reminiscences of the North and the South." Signaled by Boy Scouts the artillery companies boomed forth the general's salute. This was the signal for Miss Olive Whitman, daughter of the governor, and Miss Sallie Davis, grand-daughter of Mayor Stevens, to pull the strings and unveil the statue. As the flags which had covered the huge bronze figure fell to the base a mighty cheer went up from the great throng which filled every spot of Capitol Park from Washington avenue to State street, while the cannon boomed and the band played.

MR. LOUCKS PRESENTS THE STATUE

Representing the Sheridan camp, Sons of Veterans, J. Harris Loucks then formally presented the statue to the State and to the city. He said:

From the earliest pages of history, we read of princes and generals returning from their victorious fields of conquest, amid the plaudits of the multitude, and the smiles of the lovely.

Great towering shafts and triumphant arches were erected to celebrate their glorious conquests.

Today we raise no monument to celebrate the conquest of any nation. We raise no huge figure of Victory over any people.

We dedicate rather, this magnificent statue as a token of our love, affection and pride, in that great American general, that peerless cavalry leader, that splendid citizen and lovable man, Gen. Philip Henry Sheridan.

Albany gave Sheridan to the nation. It is the privilege of Albany today to honor ourselves, by honoring this distinguished general. The line of great men may or may not stretch out to the end of time, but the memory of this great general, this hero of so many battlefields, will never fail to impress upon the generations yet to come, as an example which all may well imitate but which none can excel.

It is my honored privilege to present to the people of the State of New York and to the people of the city of Albany, through you, Governor Whitman, and you, Mayor Stevens

this statue placed on high,

Under the dome of the Union sky"

this splendid monument, in granite and bronze, to the memory of the hero of the Shenandoah.

ADDRESS BY GOVERNOR WHITMAN

Governor Charles S. Whitman, responding for the State, said: Philip Henry Sheridan was a figure of peculiar appeal to the American imagination. His dash and his daring, coupled with military genius of the highest order, gave him high place among the brilliant chieftains of his day, and his splendid democracy made him loved by the people of the United States no less than by his men.

It is well that the place of his birth should erect this statue to his memory, but Albany may hardly lay special claim to him merely by virtue of the fact that he first saw light of day here in the capital of the Empire State.

The nation called him, a country claimed him, and the whole people hold him as their own.

When disaster threatened the Union, of all the thousands that rallied, there was none who came with a finer enthusiasm than did Sheridan.

As one reads his life, the fact most driven home is the almost religious fervor that marked his devotion to America.

It was not merely a land to him, a stretch of country with certain definite boundaries- it was a faith.

Before his eyes was the vision that led the Pilgrims here. In his soul, I believe, was the dream that inspired Washington - the vision and the dream of a government of all the people in which there should be no injustice but every freedom.

America is not a military nation. Aggressions and con