THE UNVEILING CEREMONY. Long before the appointed time - half-past three - on Saturday afternoon a vast concourse of enthusiastic spectators assembled in the Hayes to witness the unveiling ceremony. Although the weather was threatening in its aspect during the day, and notwithstanding the fact that several smart showers fell whilst the affair was in progress, the enthusiasm of the huge multitude, which numbered several thousands, was not damped in the least, but burst forth spontaneously at the approach of the gentlemen who took part in the proceedings.
The principal Liberals of the town and district gathered in the first instance in the Liberal Club, and walked down en masse to the site of the statue. Here two large brakes accommodated the speakers, and two carriages contained the relatives of the deceased gentleman, there being present Mrs John Batchelor, the Messrs Ernest, Cyril, Llewellyn Herbert, and Roger Batchelor, sons; the Misses Eva, Ethel, and Mary Batchelor, aqd Mrs Lewis, daughters Miss Batchelor and Mrs Jones. sisters Messrs Sydney and Samuel Batchelor, brothers; and Mr Allen and Mr Lewis, brothers-in-law.
Mr Rees Jones presided over the assembly, and among others present were Mr Lewis Davis, who performed the ceremony, Mr Alfred Thomas, M.P., Mr A. J. Williams, M.P., Dr Edwards, Mr Joseph Thomas, Mr G. Carslake Thompson, Mr J. Pyke Thompson, Dr Rees, Mr Robert Davis, Alderman Duncan, Alderman Lewis, Councillor Thomas Rees, Councillor Beavan, Councillor D. Jones, Mr F. J. Beavan, Alderman Cory, Mr A. Lewis, Mr R. Sutherland, Mr David Shepherd, Mr J. W. Thomas, Mr D. Morgan, Mr William Jones (solicitor), Mr John Jenkins, Mr J. B. Ferrier, Rev George Hargreaves, Councillor Sanders, Mr Peter Price, Mr W. Jones (Great Western Colliery), Mr J. B. Vivian, Mr Robert Davies, Mr J. T. Barry, Mr F. Pratt, Councillor Vaughan, Mr Sanders, junr., Mr G. Clemereon, Rev N. Thomas, Mr G. S. Stowe, Mr R. N. Hall, Mr N. G. Thomas, Mr H. R. Beaumont, Mr E. R. Moxey, Mr Lodwick Price, and Mr J. H. Payne, Mr T. H. Thomas, Mr D. Duncan, jun., Mr W. H. Thompson, Dr Paine (Stroud), Mr J. Allen (Portishead), and Messrs Lewis Williams and John Duucan (joint hon. secretaries).
MR REES JONES, The CHAIRMAN said: My many friends, - We are here this afternoon with the object of rendering our tribute of affectionate regard to the memory of a good man—(applause)— a man who placed the public weal in the forefront of all his considerations, and who recognised its first claim upon his talents, his energy, and his enterprise. His characteristics were a lion-hearted determination, to the best of his ability, under all circumstances, to promote the interests of freedom and righteousness, and yet he had a tender-hearted regard — as tender as that of a girl - for all those who suffered from oppression or distress. I am not here this afternoon - it does not fall within the province of my duty - to go into the whole story of Mr Batchelor's life — I should be trespassing upon the domain of others - but I may say that the public funeral of Mr Batchelor, at which so many of us were present, and which many of us remember as if it were but yesterday was a magnificent tribute of personal regard, and an abundant proof, to my mind, and I think to the minds of other intelligent peopie, that he occupied a high place indeed in the opinions, in the affections, and in the regard of his fellow townsmen. (Applause.) And in the amplifying of that regard and esteem it has been thought wise and fit and proper, on the part of his immediate friends and a vast number of his many supporters and acquaintances, to erect a statue which will shortly be unveiled in your presence to perpetuate his memory in our midst. (Applause.)
My business here is to introduce a gentleman who has been selected for the honour of performing that duty — (hear, hear) - my friend, Mr Lewis Davis. No man breathes who has a higher claim to that honour, for honour it is. (Applause.) He knew Mr Batchelor in his prosperity, he knew him in his adversity, and he stood manfullv shoulder to shoulder with him in sunshine and in storm, (Applause.) Gentlemen, I am not going to enter here into an elaborate criticism of this or that which has been said or left unsaid within the last two or three months in relation to this subject. I am content to know, and I am content to let the question rest here, that as assuredly as right is right and God is truth, there is a tribunal where the measure of a man's success in this mortal life is not gauged by the weight of the money bags be leaves behind him, and the judgment of carping cynics will there find no place. Nay, more the very actions which some of these contemptuous carpers treat with disdain will be found to have cut their way deeper than the carving on monumental brass, because inscribed on those celestial archives where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt. (Applause.)
Now, gentlemen, it would ill become me to trespass further upon your time. My object, as I have said, and my duty, is simply limited to asking Mr Lewis Davis to unveil the statue at the request of the committee who have had charge of the proceedings. But before doing so I will ask Mr Lewis Williams to read two or three communications received from intimate friends of the late Mr Batchelor - from some public men to whom, I am sure it will afford you the greatest possible pleasure to listen. (Loud applause.)
