Adlai Stevenson

Irishmen, in common with liberty-loving men everywhere, looked with abhorrence upon the attempt of a great European power to establish monarchy upon the ruins of republics.

In the presence of this wondrous fulfillment of predicted greatness, prophecy looks out upon the future and stands dumb.

Is it too much to say of this man that among the world's benefactors a greater than he hath not appeared?

What page in our history tells of deeds so fraught with blessings to the generations of men as the discovery of America?

We are here to erect this statue to his memory because of the unnumbered blessings to America and to the people of every race and clime which have followed his discovery.

His genius and faith gave succeeding generations the opportunity for life and liberty.

We, the heirs of all the ages, in the plenitude of our enjoyments, and the prodigality of the favors showered upon us, hail Columbus our benefactor.

To garner up the fruits of successful revolution by ensuring stable government was the task demanding the loftiest statesmanship.

My countrymen, the little settlement planted just three centuries ago near the spot upon which we have to-day assembled has under divine guidance grown into a mighty nation.

Touched by his magic wand, millions of trees now beautify and adorn this magnificent State.

In the advocacy, however, of what he believed to be for the public weal, 'he took counsel ever of his courage, never of his fears.' That he possessed the ability to have acquitted himself with honor in responsible positions of public…

The spirit of the mob is in deadly antagonism to all constituted authority.