Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1834-10-02
STATUE OF JEFFERSON.


last session OF Congress, a bill, which passed the
House Of Representatives by a small maiorty, &C.
coping colossal bronze statue of Thomas Jcflrr-
son. executed by David the French Sculptor aad
presented 10 Congress by Lieut., Levy of the u S
Navy, was rejected by the Senate Among those
who objected 10 its reception were Messrs Clay
ana Calhean-dni The Globe, as busy III auribnting
bad motives es Il Is il peryertlng facts, asctlbes
Their opposition, In late aftt!e, 10 the cIrcun-
stance tha. Lieut. Levy is Il warm admrer of Gen.
Jackson as well as of Mr. Jefferson But what are
the reasons given by Mr. Clay and Mr. Calhoun
themselves for opposing the reception of this sta
tuc7 We quote the Globes own repor, ofthe pro
ceilings: 3" Mr.. Clay had no objection against
having suitable statue of Jefferson to be obtained
IN suitable manner but Nls statue had no re
ScmJlaacc 10 him, and WAS presented by private
citizen, TO crafty his own vauity. "-Thc first req
son, to wit, that the statue bore no resemblance 10
the original, was sufficient OF itself to Justify its
Jecion-,he second reason, however imperative
ought to have been thout the other, is ncvcrthe-
less true, or our information of the character of
Lieu Levy is very erroneous. What said Nh
Calhoun? "Mr. Calhoun said tia, the statue was
not worthy OF a place in the Capitol If the hon
Senator from Virginia Mr.. TyIeD wished TO hon
or that great man (Jefferson) he would have OBJ
iec,on 10 order one, to be executed by competent
artist, aud pay for IT. 1t is thus clearly shown,
that the proifecd gift met with It's just reception
But, the Globe quotes long XXI act from letter
of the worn-out Paris scribber 90. p. a. 10
show the. David, the sou ptor is competent art
ist, and that the statue Of Jefferson Is OF his
happiest efforts. All Ills may be true, aud yel
Lieut.. Levy's offer ough! not To have been accept
ed, The mechanical execution of the statue may
be, for aa.hi we know, faulllesS but ifit bears
no resemblance to It's great ougrnu olglt II to be
pei mitted 10 occupy place III the Capitol lH
DC righ. to perpetuate the memory Of our cfea,
men, ny sensible representations OF their forms x
features, should not srrupulous attention be paid TO
the accuracy with which they arc dollnea,ed IL
not, we had as well erect statue, having no other
resemblance to its lginal than the common tea-
lures of humanity, and call II JcD3S3n, end 1t
would be Just as suitable as David's statue. o. Z.
G. says nothing Of its resemblance to the person
Tor whom it was intended probably because he
never saw Mr. jefferson. II therefore VAS ncum-
bent on Mr.. Clay, Mr.. Calhoun and those who
kn.w that great man, 10 see that no caficatHfc
rrorcsenati,n Of him Should be installed in nlehe
ofthe Capitol.
The Alexan ria G,z"'.c in,m"tos dat thcfe
were private reasons for the rejection OF Lieut. L.
WIS proffered donation. l. says" W. have ".
cry reason to believe that the Globe Is acquainted
with all the circums ances connected with ihis II
nous statue II so, IFS article IS : :S,st Complete
exhibition of inpudence and assurance. The re-
lection of the statue placed on proper ana del
lcatc grounds in the public debate which occurred
in the Senate on the subject. The pripate cireum=
stances connected with lis purchase, as VIC have
heard, could no, be stated consistently with the arg
ATTY of that body. If the curen, rumors icIative
70 tie procuring ard presentation of this statue b.
corrtcl, there is not an American living who would
not blush to see 1t in the Capitol of the Republic.