ORATION 



BY 



PRESIDENT NOAH PORTER. 



We are assembled to complete the long series of public honors to the 

 late Joseph Henry by unveiling the statue which has been erected to his 

 memory. These honors have been manifold, but each one of them has 

 been well deserved and most cordially bestowed. 



His funeral obsequies were attended by the President of the United 

 States and other officials of the Government which he had so faithfully 

 served, by representatives from the many learned and scientific socie- 

 ties of which he had been a conspicuous member and ornament, and by 

 a large following of those who honored and mourned him as a friend. 



Subsequently a more formal commemoration of his scientific and pub- 

 lic services was held at the Capitol, at which were present the Execu- 

 tive of the nation, the Judiciary, the Senate, and the House of Repre- 

 sentatives. On this occasion a discriminating and sympathizing sketch 

 of his personal and public life was given by one who had known him 

 long and was singularly qualified to do him justice in every particular. 

 This was followed by other warm and eloquent tributes to his genius 

 as a philosopher and his excellence as a man. Memorable among 

 these were the ringing words of the noble Rogers, whose own sudden 

 euthanasia was like the translation of a prophet ; and the warm- 

 hearted eulogy of the generous and glowing Garfield, whose noble life 

 was slowly wasted that it might measure the intensity of the nation's 

 grief. 



Many, if not all, of the institutions of the country with which Pro- 

 fessor Henry had a more or less intimate connection have also honored 

 him by records and estimates of his services to science, education, and 

 philosophy. The tributes to his honor from other countries have also 

 been cordial and numerous. 



Last of all, the two Houses of Congress, with the approval of the 

 President, have ordered that a statue in bronze should be erected within 

 the grounds of the Institution, which was the creation of his genius 

 and industry, as a permanent memorial of his services and his worth. 

 This statue is now completed, and has this moment been unveiled to 

 public view. We are here to receive the first impressions of this endur- 

 ing monument, which we trust will stand for many generations, to declare 



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