Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-02-19
TO TIE EDITORS.

unanmity and promptness appropriating $4,000 to
erect bronze equestrian statue Of Gen. WASHINGTON
am sure only express the extreme qualification which
is felt by nearly every American especially by every Vr
gnian at the payment of this ongdeerred tribute to
the memory of the principal founder Of Republic
The cordial spirit and dispatch with which the House
of Representatives manifested its purpose to carry, at
length into effect the resolution of 1885, adds to the
pleasure which the occasions and redees Congress
in great degree from the reproach which has long
attached to it for not fulfilling the obligation to which the
nation was committed seventy gears ago. 1t cannot be
doubted that the Senate will receive the with
favor, and will adopt the resolution with equal unanimy
and with all the promptnes consistent with its rules of
business. Many viii look with interest the aacry
and zeal with which Senator's HUNTER and MASON,
will press the adoption of proposition which contem
plates the celebration and durable commemoration in
appropriate of the fame of their greatest
countryman.
1t may not be pertinent to inquire why this redemption
of pledge made by Congress the nation long ago
not been accomplished? Many solutions of the
question may be given, which, although of them
entirely satisfactory to the patriotic and intelligent mind
yet be sufficiently plausible to excupate the National
Legislature from any beral imputaton just
All the while there has been wanting the warmest
expressions of gratitude for the services and admiration
for the character of WASHINGTON both among the people
and in the Federal Legislature But whilst unable to
plain this omission oduty in the most satisfactory manner
far the execution of the provisions Of the resolution
of 1888 concerned it may be permitted to remark that
it is little curious that Congress has in the time
and very recently, lent its aid to erect equestrian
statue of Gen. JACKSON mean invidous comparison;
but it will be admitted without the slightest dsparage
Of the real merits and claims of Gen. JACKSON that
WASHINGTON was his superior, and entitled by
seniority Of historical and of rank well of
FIRST stinQui she'd andm
Rfcent, mark of nations admiration, gratitude, and
love.
Another inquiry will to Why is it that the
nation, through its representative organ the Congress-
has heretofore contributed nothing to perpetuate by
suitable monumental memorial the of Government
the eminent worth of the who has alone, by unds
pued claim received the title Of Father of his Country
and by universal suffrage and concession first in war,
first in peace and first in the hearts his countrymen "
The nation in its aggregate character federal republic
at this moment the feeble and struggling efforts Of
private association of individuals to rear monument to
WASHINGTON Of dimensions with his exalt
ed greatness with silent inactivity if not positive indif
ference This noble structure is slowly constructing by
means of such scanty and occasional aid its friends
dispersed throughout the wide country enabled
contribute towards it. And, though under the daily OBJ
servaon Of the assembled patriotism and wisdom of the
country, not only is not dollar voted push forward
with the eye of coldness if of absolute apathy and
unconcern But whilst the nation in its confederated
body manfests inclination represent the wishes and
express the feelings of the people in this respect many
the States separately have sguazed their appreciation
of the countrys most ustrious beneactor by erecting
monuments and statues to his memory. Why does not
the Conederacy through its Congress- reflect the seni
ments of the people, and embody their for
WASHINGTON in similar form
But am not disposed to press these questions, much
less quarrel with Congress for its past omissions since
the House of Representatives has done much by its
recent act to atone for previous delinquencies.
universal national veneration for the fame services
and opinions of WASHINGTON would, in my humble judy
men prove stronger cement and guaranty of the
nuance Of this Union than any other single circumstance
And when his memory honored by the erection of
the most permanent and solid testimonials which genius
nnd invent IL gives to believe that these
sentiments profoundly cherished and universally pre-
vail And reckon i'll most favorable augury for the
strengthening and perpeuaton of the bonds which unite
US as people, rather Confederacy that Con-
gress composed this of all parties representing
every extreme Of opinion and discordance of political
sentiment and principle should lay aside all their diff
ferences and unite with heart and hand in the common
and patriotic purpose Of rearing statue to the great
founder Of our Federal Government
The move could not have been made at a more prop-
tous moment TO carry with 1t all its moral influence and
to impress it with the utmost significance that such a
manifestation Of harmonious and patriotic feeling is cal
cuated TO have. May this feeling be assiduousy
cultivated both by the people and their Representatives
and may we witness frequent returns of in National
Councils seasons most likely to be blessed with rich
fruits Of good and prosperity to country!
II is gratifying to observe, too the good which
marked the action of Congress in the selection Of the
costume in which the figure Of WASHINGTON is designed
to be represented very false has heretofore OBJ
tanned in instances in country in portrayng the
attitude, drapery and dress in which men of modern
classical forms among modern artists has done great
violence to good well good taste and has
spoiled what might otherwise have been credtable speci
mems Of art Who wants to see WASHINGTON in Roman
ogaP How painfully does such costume deract from
the true dignity and majesty Of his person and character
To the modest american hero and statesman decked
as Roman, and presented to the public gaze with bare
arms and legs and sandals with nothing conceal his
nudity but loose gown thrown over his shoulders and
clasped at the breast with buckle is positively re.
voting Prob pudor! How supremey ridiculous the idea
to common sense! how shocking nay, how disgusting
These remarks may, to extent be applied to the
statue Of WASHINGTON by GREENouGH That artist with
and genius both in conception execution that would
have done honor to the disciple of an
earlier school, has ruined his performance degraded
and beed his noble subject by following vicious model
and presenting him to half naked and induced in the