Today, the Statue of Liberty Commemorative Silver Dollar Coin tells the story of the acceptance and inauguration of “Liberty Enlightening the World” 128 years ago.
First in 1877, Congress agreed to accept and maintain the colossal statue offered by France.
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Joint resolution authorizing the President to designate and set apart a site for the colossal statue of “Liberty enlightening the world” and to provide for the permanent maintenance and preservation thereof.
Whereas, the President has communicated to Congress the information that citizens of the French Republic propose to commemorate the one hundredth anniversary of our independence by erecting at their own cost a colossal bronze statue of “Liberty enlightening the world” upon a pedestal of suitable proportions to be built by private subscription upon one of the islands belonging to the United States In the harbor of New York, and
Whereas it is proper to provide for the care and preservation of this grand monument of art and of the abiding friendship of our ancient ally: Therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the President of the United States be and he is hereby authorized and directed to accept the colossal statue of ” Liberty enlightening the world” when presented by citizens of the French Republic, and to designate and set apart for the erection thereof, a suitable site upon either Governors or Bedloe’s Island, in the harbor of New York ; and upon the completion thereof shall cause the same to be inaugurated with such ceremonies as will serve to testify the gratitude of our people for this expressive and felicitous memorial of the sympathy of the citizens of our sister Republic; and he is hereby authorized to cause suitable regulations to be made for its future maintenance as a beacon, and for the permanent care and preservation thereof as a monument of art, and of the continued good will of the great nation, which aided us in our struggle for freedom.
Approved, March 3, 1877.
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Organizers planned a large celebration filled with pomp and circumstance for the statue’s unveiling and acceptance.
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ORDER OF EXERCISES, ON BEDLOW’S ISLAND, THURSDAY. OCTOBER 28, 1886.
I. Music during the landing and seating of the assembly. II. Signal-gun. III. Prayer by Rev. Richard S. Storrs, D. D. IV. Count Ferdinand de Lesseps, on behalf of Franco-American Union. V. Presentation Address, Hon. William M. Evarts. VI. Unveiling. VII. Salute. A salvo from all the guns in the harbor. VIII. Music. IX. Acceptance of the Statue by the President. X. Representative on behalf of the Republic of France, le Ministre Plénipotentiaire, Délégué Extraordinaire, A. Lefaivre. XI. Music. XII. Commemorative Address, Hon. Chauncey M. Depew. XIII. Music. Doxology — Tune, Old Hundred — in which the assembly is invited to join. Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host ; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. — Amen. XIV. Benediction, Right Rev. Henry C. Potter, D. D. The assembly upon the island will be dismissed with the Benediction, and will re-embark upon the steamers, which will return to their piers in the city, joining with the batteries in the general salute. XV. National salute. To be fired simultaneously from all the batteries in the harbor, ashore and afloat. XVI. Illumination of the Statue, with fireworks on Bedlow’s and Governor’s Islands, and the Battery.
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During the celebration, President Grover gave his acceptance speech, one of the shortest of the ceremonies:
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The people of the United States accept with gratitude from their brethren of the French Republic the grand and completed work of art we here inaugurate.
This token of the affection and consideration of the people of France demonstrates the kinship of republics, and conveys to us the assurance that in our efforts to commend to mankind the excellence of a government resting upon popular will, we still have beyond the American continent a steadfast ally.
We are not here today to bow before the representation of a fierce and war-like god, filled with wrath and vengeance, but we joyously contemplate instead our own deity keeping watch and ward before the open gates of America, and greater than all that have been celebrated in ancient song.
Instead of grasping in her hand thunderbolts of terror and of death, she holds aloft the light which illumines the way to man’s enfranchisement.
We will not forget that Liberty has here made her home; nor shall her chosen altar be neglected.
Willing votaries will constantly keep alive its fires, and these shall gleam upon the shores of our sister republic in the East.
Reflected thence, and joined with answering rays, a stream of light shall pierce the darkness of ignorance and man’s oppression, until liberty enlightens the world.
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The Statue of Liberty Commemorative Silver Dollar Coin against a background of Bartholdi and the statue from the 1880s help us remember the inauguration 128 years ago today.
