The children's lobby at the then newly opened Dante Orphanage in Concord Twp.
Note: Today the Orphanage is the Concord Twp. Municipal Building at 43 Thornton Rd., even though the large stone building fronts on Baltimore Pike. Some of my readers may remember when it was the Delaware County Community College. The Orphanage was dedicated in the early 1920's.
DEDICATION OF NEW ORPHANAGE AT CONCORDVILLE
Unveiling
of a Bust of Dante, the Poet, Also a Feature
Another
exemplification of the enormity of America’s good will and the omnipresent
desire of her people to make more solid their bonds of friendship with Italy
was exhibited yesterday at the unveiling of a bust of Dante Alighieri and the
dedication of the orphanage of the Sons of Italy of Pennsylvania at
Concordville.
It
was during the banquet that followed that His Excellency Rolandi Ricci, Italian
Ambassador to the United States, proclaimed his intention of sending to King
Victor Emanuel a cable telling his highness of the strength of the friendship
between the two nations and of the forging of another link in the strong chain.
More
than 2000 people, mostly citizens of Italian birth, witnessed the ceremonies
and heard Dante Alighieri, Italy’s greatest and immortal poet, eulogized.
Ambassador
Riccci and some of the highest officials, as well as most learned men of the
State and county, received praise for their aid and the good will be shown.
The
ceremonies began directly following the arrival of the ambassador and his staff
and a special train bringing the guests of the occasion. The bust of Dante, erected in front of the
home, was first unveiled.
This
was the principal feature of the ceremonies.
The work is that of Onorio Rubtolo, celebrated Italian-American sculptor
of New York City. The bust, of bronze,
is mounted on a base of Tennessee marble and is a replica of the Ruotolo bust
of Dante which is shortly to be placed in the Public Library, New York
City. The artist is also the sculptor of
the bust of Enrico Caruso which was recently placed in the lobby of the
Metropolitan Opera House, New York City, a gift of the Italian tenor’s widow.
The
first speaker was A. Giuseppe Di Silvestro, grand master of the Order of the
Sons of Italy of Pennsylvania. He
outlined the work that has been done by the order within the past five years
and told of the self-denial of the 30,000 members that the orphanage might be
established. He spoke of Dante, his
accomplishments and the spirit they have instilled in the Italian people, and
expressed the hope that the teachings of this great poet would be taught the
future inmates of the institution that they might exemplify him.
Ambassador
Ricci congratulated Chevalier DiSilvestro on the work that the order has
accomplished, pointing out the patriotic course it will teach and how it will
assist in making desirable citizens of the orphans that are raised there. He expressed his desire of seeing that work
of the order repeated elsewhere.
SKETCH
OF DANTE – Dr. John L. Haney, principal of the Central High School,
Philadelphia, gave a sketch of the life of Dante, telling of the latter’s
first meeting with Beatrice and how she inspired him to write his immortal
“Inferno,” his greatest work. He told
how he was exiled in 1302 for his political activity and of his death 19 years
later.
The
significance of his great works and his impression upon the people of today is
shown, said Dr. Haney, by the fact that last year the people throughout the
world celebrated his six hundredth anniversary.
After
the bust had been unveiled there was an inspection of the orphanage followed by
the dinner in the gymnasium. More than
1000 were seated in the hall and heard the addresses of the evening. Chevalier DiSilvestro was toastmaster and
introduced the speakers in their turn.
Judge
Eugene C. Bonniwell of Philadelphia told of his pride at being able to attend
the celebration. He said that the work
of the order – the establishing of orphanages – shows the highest type of
civilization and is a duplication of Jesus Christ’s treatment of the sick, the
lame and the halt, not only in the dedication of the bust of Dante but in the
establishment of a home here in America for the orphans of their race.
“The
glory is in giving, not taking,” said Judge Bonniwell. “I wish to God Pennsylvania had more
chevaliers A. Joseph DiSilvestro. I am
more than proud of your grand master.”
He
also paid tribute to Italy’s hero of the Pilave, General Diaz, and others of
her legion of heroes.
“Your
people show their approval of the work by their presence, said Senator Albert
Dutton MacDade, another speaker. “We senators, as your representatives, are at
Harrisburg to see that you receive your just dues and you can look to your
representative from Delaware County for help at any time.”
He
also spoke of the future possibilities of the orphans at the home. In closing, he paid highest tribute to
Ambassador Ricci. Judge Samuel E. Shull
of Monroe County, also praised the work of the Sons of Italy, and complimented
the ambassador on being the representative of such a race.
Speaking
in Italian, Ambassador Ricci expressed his intention of sending the telegram to
his king. He said that the members of
the order were worthy of the trust that had been placed in them, and that the
institution will be a monument of their integrity and generosity.
Continuing,
he expressed his belief that the Italians must feel kindly toward American, not
only because of the security and the comfortable homes provided but because of
the latter’s appreciation of Italy’s architecture, music and particularly that
immortal Italian literature of which Dante’s is the foremost.
He
said that the virtues of the Italian people are thrift, love of family, love of
country and sacrifice for their children and that the establishment of the
orphanage is a reaffirmation of the principles taught in the father land. In closing, he again complimented the work of
the Sons of Italy.
Judge
Bonniwell, addressing his excellency, offered an addition to the
cablegram. He said that as
representative of one of the oldest and most patriotic orders in America, the
Sons of the American Revolution, he wished to add its compliments.
Ambassador
Ricci accepted and thanked Judge Bonniwell.
The cable will be sent to the king as first soldier of the country and
the first citizen of Italy, from the Italians and Americans who participated in
the dedication and subsequent exercises.
VISION
OF UNION – Eugene V. Alessandroni, Philadelphia attorney, told of his vision of
a more harmonious union between the people of Italy and America. He said that the work of establishing the
orphanage is not the work of the wealth of a few but the sacrifice by the
workingmen of a few pennies which gradually grew into the fund with which the
work was accomplished.
This
deed contributes to the welfare of the nation, said Mr. Alessandroni, and later
the many orphan children of the Sons of Italy who are raised in the home, will
show their devotion to the land of their parents’ adoption.
Dr.
Francesco Cubicciotti praised the establishment of the home. He said it is but the beginning of a
movement, to build similar ones throughout the United States. He also spoke of the similarity between the
ideals of Dante and the work which the order is accomplishing.
Among
the other speakers of the day were A. Giuseppe DiSilvestra, grand master of the
order; A. Perfilia, grand keeper of records; Baldo Aquilano, past grand keeper
of records; Mrs. Dario Tedesco, Mrs. Spinelli, venerable of the order, and F.
A. Fravascio.
Among
the notables present were Judge Eugene C. Bonniwell, Durell Shuster, secretary
to Mayor Moore; Dr. John L. Haney, Judges Patterson and Brown of Philadelphia,
and Judge Shull of Monrose County; Chev. L. Stilletti, Italian Counsel at
Philadelphia, Chev DiVincenzo, vice consul, Dr. Michael DeVitis, Pittsburgh;
James M. Hamilton, Senator and Mrs. MacDade and Chev. Vincenzo Sellaro, founder
of the order.
During
the evening a relief of Mr. DiSilvestro was presented by Anthony Fileuri. After the presentation, the former made an
announcement that the order will send a telegram to the aged mother of the
ambassador complimenting her on the merits and ability of her son.
One
humorous point of the ceremonies was the presentation to his excellency of a
box of lemons, a token in memory of those of the order who opposed the
establishing of the orphanage.
This Year, 2019, is the Year of the Mill in Delaware County. There will be talks, exhibits etc. on the mills that once dotted Delaware County
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