| The Church of Haile Selassie I, Inc. |
| Haile Selassie I |
| click Ethiopian Flag to return to Selected Speeches |
| click Ethiopian Flag to return to Selected Speeches |
| Home | Haile Selassie I | The Church | Rastalogy | Organization | Church Store | Events | Related Links | Contact Us |
| Copyright © 2003-2004 The Church of Haile Selassie I, Inc. ~ All rights reserved. |
| Selected Speeches |
| The Church of Haile Selassie I, Inc. |
| Chapter IV |
| Unveiling Menelik's Statue Nov. 02, 1930 |
| Selected Speeches |
| Haile Selassie the First - November 2, 1930 |
| The history of Ethiopia for the past half a century has revolved materially around events in which Haile Selassie First has been the prime mover. In times of stress, in times of joy, his leadership in resolving the hopes, fears and aspirations of the Ethiopian people has been distinctive, his guidance indispensable and decisive. His people and the world have acclaimed him a fighter not only in defence of the integrity of Ethiopia. He has been a champion for world peace and a man whose principles have contributed manfully to the history of his day and age. His public utterances in this phase of the national and international drama of peace and war speak by themselves most eloquently. |
Your Highness, Honourable Foreign Representatives, and Dignitaries:
This day of the erection of a statue to Emperor Menelik II is a great and
happy day for the entire people of Ethiopia. The life of man is full of
many sacrifices. However, after life, there is nothing better one could
leave behind, other than a worthy and memorable name for one's
performances, and the erection of this statue today proves that Emperor
Menelik II has been blessed to get this well-deserved reward for his
efforts.
Although Emperor Menelik II was Emperor of Ethiopia by virtue of his
long and traditional royal lineage, all of you patriots and heroes are well
aware of the fact that he was fortunate enough to have successfully
pursued what Emperor Tewodros and Emperor Yohannes started in the
struggle for the unification of all the provinces which were divided and
balkanized as a result of the Battle of Gragne during the period of his
father Emperor Lebne Dengel.
In all his efforts, whit the blessing of God, his success in uniting Ethiopia
has made his name renowned all over the world. Besides consolidating the
unity of Ethiopia, Emperor Menelik II also established friendly relations
with other governments, thus providing for Ethiopia favourable
international relations and assuring the orderly progress of her people.
Having been fortunate enough and blessed with a peaceful reign, farmers
worked hard and businessmen did their part well and consequently attained
great prosperity.
Let history tell what achievements Emperor Menelik II made for his people
and his country, for it will be impossible for Us now to enumerate them all
here. No matter how intelligent and brave, no one on earth can escape
death and Emperor Menelik II had to pass from this world on
December 13, 1913 after having worked as much as he could for the
growth of Ethiopia and the progress of his people.
Although this statue can in no way stand as a symbolic example for all the
achievements Emperor Menelik II made for Ethiopia, We are erecting this
statue because as human beings, there is nothing more We can do.
Many are the Emperors who, in the past, worked commendably for their
country. However, we know of no king, thus far, who has a statue
erected in his name. It was Emperor Menelik II who started and left
behind for Us projects which brought Us closer to other countries and it is
because of this that We take it upon Ourselves to erect statues as symbolic
tokens to Emperors who left behind significant works and, to this effect,
We can say that this statue stands to signify the great works of Emperor
Menelik II.
Moreover, the presence of so many dignitaries and representatives of
foreign governments, who are here for Our coronation and those
representing governments that signed friendship treaties with Emperor
Menelik II, as well as those of others, to witness the inauguration of this
statue and share Our happiness, shows how great indeed he has been.
From now on, We will continue to erect statues, not only for kings, but
also for all those patriots who perform of have performed great works for
their country, in memory of their name and their works.
This day of the erection of a statue to Emperor Menelik II is a great and
happy day for the entire people of Ethiopia. The life of man is full of
many sacrifices. However, after life, there is nothing better one could
leave behind, other than a worthy and memorable name for one's
performances, and the erection of this statue today proves that Emperor
Menelik II has been blessed to get this well-deserved reward for his
efforts.
Although Emperor Menelik II was Emperor of Ethiopia by virtue of his
long and traditional royal lineage, all of you patriots and heroes are well
aware of the fact that he was fortunate enough to have successfully
pursued what Emperor Tewodros and Emperor Yohannes started in the
struggle for the unification of all the provinces which were divided and
balkanized as a result of the Battle of Gragne during the period of his
father Emperor Lebne Dengel.
In all his efforts, whit the blessing of God, his success in uniting Ethiopia
has made his name renowned all over the world. Besides consolidating the
unity of Ethiopia, Emperor Menelik II also established friendly relations
with other governments, thus providing for Ethiopia favourable
international relations and assuring the orderly progress of her people.
Having been fortunate enough and blessed with a peaceful reign, farmers
worked hard and businessmen did their part well and consequently attained
great prosperity.
Let history tell what achievements Emperor Menelik II made for his people
and his country, for it will be impossible for Us now to enumerate them all
here. No matter how intelligent and brave, no one on earth can escape
death and Emperor Menelik II had to pass from this world on
December 13, 1913 after having worked as much as he could for the
growth of Ethiopia and the progress of his people.
Although this statue can in no way stand as a symbolic example for all the
achievements Emperor Menelik II made for Ethiopia, We are erecting this
statue because as human beings, there is nothing more We can do.
Many are the Emperors who, in the past, worked commendably for their
country. However, we know of no king, thus far, who has a statue
erected in his name. It was Emperor Menelik II who started and left
behind for Us projects which brought Us closer to other countries and it is
because of this that We take it upon Ourselves to erect statues as symbolic
tokens to Emperors who left behind significant works and, to this effect,
We can say that this statue stands to signify the great works of Emperor
Menelik II.
Moreover, the presence of so many dignitaries and representatives of
foreign governments, who are here for Our coronation and those
representing governments that signed friendship treaties with Emperor
Menelik II, as well as those of others, to witness the inauguration of this
statue and share Our happiness, shows how great indeed he has been.
From now on, We will continue to erect statues, not only for kings, but
also for all those patriots who perform of have performed great works for
their country, in memory of their name and their works.
| Historic - War and Peace |
| Ba Beta Kristiyan Haile Selassie I |
| Ba Beta Kristiyan Haile Selassie I |