The Minister for Foreign
Affairs to the American Chargé
d’Affaires.
[Translation.]
Foreign
Office,
Buenos
Aires, December 23,
1910.
Mr. Chargé d’Affaires: I have had the pleasure
of acquainting myself with your kind note, dated the 30th ultimo, in
which, referring to the several communications exchanged on the subject,
you say that a commission [etc.].
I had no sooner received the kind communication, which I now answer, than
I hastened to bring it to the knowledge of His Excellency the President
of the Nation, who has confided to me the pleasant duty of extending to
you, in his own name and that of the Argentine people, the expression of
the deepest and most hearty appreciation for the proof of sincere
friendship which has been given us by the sons of the great North
American Nation, who, by their noble work, worthily contribute to the
progress of our country.
Begging you kindly to be the interpreter of these sentiments it gives me
pleasure to greet you with my distinguished consideration.
[Translation—Extract.]
[From the Boletin Oficial of June 28,
1911.]
Law No. 8122.—Acceptance of the
statue of George Washington.
Article 1. The statue of George Washington,
offered by the citizens of the United States of North America
residing in Argentina in commemoration of the first centenary of
independence, is hereby accepted.
[Page 7]
Article 2. The Third of February Park, in
such part thereof as shall be determined by the Executive, is
designated for the erection of said statue.
[Approved by the Executive June 19, 1911.]
[From the speech of Señor Agote in the Argentine
Congress.]
[Translation—Extract.]
There are names that are intrinsically potent. What can one say about
George Washington which is not already present in the minds of the
whole world? Nevertheless to approve this bill in silence might
appear discourteous. Therefore, although at the risk of becoming
redundant, I will say a few words. * * *
[Here follows an eloquent tribute to Washington.]
George Washington was the first citizen of pure and sane democracy,
without hatred or cruel passions, and for all time his statue will
be appropriately placed in the Republic of Argentina, the land of
liberty in South America.
The law ordains that the statues of celebrated foreigners to whom the
Argentine people do honor shall be placed in the drive at Palermo.
There this statue will be placed, and with especial propriety when
another will be erected there to that famous Argentine, Gen.
Faustino Sarmiento, who was an admirer of the North American people
and knew how to honor their virtues.
