Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1834-08-15
GREFN0nGH,s 81 ASnlNcrnA,

LeUer from Mr. GreeDough, the American Scupior
uaieu FLORENCE, May 81 1884
My DEAR MoRsE;--I am not dsp,esser ina, nv s,,
tue calls orih remarks is the time hear and nroG,
Wy men, trust shall be found open to Conviction and
uesious 10 learn but Tear the making a statue of ts
knd requires more attentive and instructed thought han
most our able men spare from their Occupations
am pleased That the artists find my design Significant
Your hint, rather MIR. Kings hint about The 1ons,,
ton surely valusbie aud the object of the statue
10 instructed people about Washington, il might have
been anticipated by To put Into his hand scroII
or book would be easy; but books are very like
ohcT Oh The outside, the meaning would be uncertain
doubt in statue ia feebIeness We raise b;s 80,
mem, because Washington's face and form are idcn
uhed with the salvation OF our continent That sword
70 winch objections are made, cleared the ground
our political fabric raised. | would remind on,
posleHly That nothing but that, aud that welded for
years with wisdom and strength, rescued our tisbs
aud property aud lives, from the most powerful az
vel as most enlightened nation oil Euroi e. look ON
The military career of Washington as beng bongb no,
pefhspshs highest gloryom greatest obligation 10 him
can conceive OF ms having died At The close Of that srug
gle, without any very bad consequences 10 inions
Bot sword in the band is accessory which adds liz,
le 10 he contents in any way very important
u people would consider the abstract nstute ot
lis elemen's-i's lihsthcy would cease 10 look to il
Tor Information on points which are batter expsped he,
ohe arts ~ other ways They would a. soon expect Ia
bear a-lHnEion'S dress described in of Iniv ors
ton as TO II se0ptured in an epic s,atee I, "a
10 lie man, and not 10 The gentleman MAI ,yc ,eo,iJ
30 honor To enbOdy ia the work te abstract Of pol
tcd creed, or The principles Of political party tght ep
sure protection Tor my work just now But just now can
do without IT, pleased that you aud vour fricnds
lhk Wy composition in the rpdiu significant Those "a io
Imagine that would dress Washington in Roman cos
tune, msundersisnd The time is passed when ri
yzd nations are distinguished by their dress n te
United states ever had national garb can conceive pa
irioiie zeal interested in its preservation But what dis
ngusbed the dress OF Washington from liza, NJ pstcr
Leopold, or Voare, Bukel 10 many statues the ress
Of lie time Is most useful. Ia a sralc of Howard or
Fulton or Wo any other simple impeover Of the ara
contributions OF society,", should iuk il very proper en
10 max tie date Of s career, Ivy exhibiting him in TIA,
circle OF usages which he merely served But he man
who oyerihrew tyranny, and founded rcpublic was
hero When he sts down in marble immortality in tl,s
Hall Of the Capitol, his dres should have reference 10 s
iuufs rather ban The pasE there should DC about him no
thing mean and ng. above ALL fidcnous; which latter
adjective bold TO spply in s full extent to the modern
dress generally, and 10 HAT Wasbngtors lime particular.
~ Three statues have been made OF Washington, one bv
ioudon, representing the General made with every adya1
iage, aud with an accuracy Of detail that m enure i lis
"ayh bst place among The representatives Of the man.
oneby Canoys representing Roman in The act Of tnking
What he shall write; one by Cbsnry holding scroll in
one hand and piece Of lis closk w TIE other I have
heard these statues n their time examined and criticised
by The county hnd nothing in the interest tbev cite
TO tempt me 10 loOw either. choose 10 make snotI,e,
experiment II IL falls the next sculptor who attempts
The sshect will have another beacon in hsdicof pav
gallon; The rocks Will not Increases The sooner houses
are them the safer Ony don'i send rs andsmen for
Pilols. am, my dear Morse. yours,
II. CKEENoUcH.