Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1852-03-16
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THE VIRGINIA WASHINGTON MONUMENT.

THE VIRGINIA WASHINGTON MONUMENT.
aessrs Editors writer in paper Of this day (Fri-
dav after noticing the proceedings beoIu the Legislature
no session. proposing notifications in HE plan OF
The Monument Undertakes protest against any change from
tie original Dan and condemnation against the
modification proposed without knowing the grounds upon
which such modification was based.
AZ writer has undertaken to open the subject Of this
Moaunen, design the public eye, und Would cadeavo TO
toresta public Judgment ~ proper thai tho public
mind should b. enlightened Tic 10 know fret Of
the objections brought against the original design Tor the
work and the means proposed In tho modification 10 remedy
the evil should II he made manifest.
As far as te has progr sscd the original design
has carried ont circular basement Zee:
high and SO fec, il diameter susnonned bya s'ar base OF
points Of Is feet radius feet HIGH which are
fee, hgh for the reception OF this number OF s;aues-ak
Ing he total height 0 10 feet TINS the present state oil
this work and tho lera upon which tho decision now be-
ioc the Legislature is 10 be based, heer enmouEted BY
massive pedea by colossal equestrian statue,
under Of only 50 feet whether surmoun'ed by
graceful we'll poporioncd column capped by colossal
This is the main question brough, before the wisdom oil
The Legislature, decide in respect TO The final completion
oil this Monument.
Let W. now look little into tho deal Of this question: aud
upon the merits OF the TWO plans proposed.
First: The objection alleged by The public Selce against
The execution original plan here IT, its deficiency IN
altitude, and consequently in dignity and character as
Monument TO Washington lis elevation will SINK some 20
feet below the peak OF The Copto and surrounded will
oe by lofty buildings would be en,eiy shrt from the
public eye at Q distance.
3D. There is another serious objection 10 this ran In
groups relatively each oher which enough to condemn
J, ay every lover of his counynomely the serpE chuac
presented ey the group TO ne Other Let every one
Imagine OF group OF figures standing around inc
base OF pedestal of equestrian hgure anc ~na wouo
be the impression made the mind Serftsy, oPow-tG
the master above Can such thought be tolerated IN an
American bosom? No never Can be content 70 place
Rho FdtTs Of our glorious revolution in the position Of
mcrias even 70 tho great Father Of his country How
would paincd heart of this lIs,rious man, il he
could thought that his fellow citizens would far for
get themselves place him any other man. in
<fsr above his fellows-heir master. And il his pure
ep;Ii could look the operation upon this
rcnt would II depreca,e the ideo presen,ed2 But
enough has been said upon this painful "Reminiscences and
vii! satisfied the wisdom OF the Legislature forbid
the sacr:ge 10 be consummated.
The proposed modification Of the plan, which would res
tore harmony and consistency 10 The whole design consists
Simply in substituting column of suitable proportions for
III. massive pedestal the present foundaiions surmoun,
ing tie same with satue and placing the equestrian group
adjoining and connected with the monument on the same
plane with the pedestrian group The column here proJec-
ted being IS feet hgh phes the Rcycluon ana oenS
c,ccd or banded At foot with Is shields, representing
the Federal Uuon associates and hamonizes with the posi-
lion given the pedestrian group, consisting OF the pTgt'
o fathers of the Revolution designating them as the guar.
dons OF federal compact, and Washington connected
with this group in advance Of the whole his charger
10 king 10 the capto This arrangement bespeaks The
Of historical truth and the two great divisions OF our gov
G-nurnt INFO the civil and military state, carried out
Tho sta,Ye browning the column is that OF Liberty the
consrmna,ion cf glorious TO give this
n, , American character its capital Is decorated and
Enriched with the "5tor Spangled Banner" OF our Union,
testoonei and encirclng the whole
THE usoa given the equesTlon stous OF the amer q
lis Couatrv while will display and the sEli OF tho ar
m batter Than II mounted some forty feet agh is IN per-
@ con with good and propriety and II We de-.
.s ~ have precedent TO confirm refer 10 The onu
men, OF Marcus Aureus and perus In the city o, rome
s O: the mos, simple and striking monumentsn that Cy