The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-11-08

From the True Nstioasl Democrat.
Honor 10 Whom Honor 10 Due

=. From True National Dsmoer.t
Honor 10 Whom Honor IL Due.
In our issue of the 2ai ultimo, among the selected
misceliany, we published an article on the character o
Jefeson taken IRON the Augusta (Georga) Chronicle
and Sentinel Of April 2oh, and credited to the pen OF
one Edward William Johnson. As il fleets upon the
character Of one we know right well, dong him great
injustice, we deem necessary 10 publish statement OF
facts ~ reference TO The bronzs statue Of Jefferson
cued oy David UAngus, and presented to the people o
me United States by Commodore (then LeutenanD U
Levy, United States navy Had The article in question
could have bsen allowed 10 appear in columns as,
were u true. such ecandalous acknow ledgmenl OF a
free Will oherDg--one, too, OF the highest character
work OF ART and one imbueu with that amour proprs OF
an Amercsn citizen and ohcer. patriotic reverence 10
the immortal Jefferson, and equally patriotic offering TO
hs public--deserves more than passing reprobaion
from our bands .atl 49, arsff Fl
ln 1880 Commodore Levy, on q visit 10 Paris. having
~ contemplation 'he sculpture OF statue OF Jefferson,
consulted with General Lafayette on the subject Al has
request David, lDAngus,) one oil his intimate friends
and stannch republican and admer of The Sage OF Mon
tcelo was selected for the task, beiRg In Lsfayette
estimation. the only competent person to give the
sary impress OF KreaOeSs due such work To further
the plans OF Commodore Levy. Lafayette voluntarily Of
Tered Says great likeness OF Jefferson painted to his
order whs! 10 ms coun'fytle only Just likeness in
Europe, and on which he placed more than usual es-
nation. t
Alter considerable difficulty Commodore Levy prevail
ed over Diyids notions OF Roman oga elc.. the obso
him in the plain republican costume, of the pecusr
mtrilorious aduncs o it's present finish, adopted
thus rendering the whole fac slme OF his appearance
at the date OF the declaration Nearly three years were
consumed between the sculptor and the founder Honore
Gonou before the statue ready for transportation
during which period Commodore Levy renamed passive
speca or 10 the great sSes work, early at his studio
and late 10 leave, fof, like all artes David required
siderable spurrinE, having SO much hand.
than life lime could accomplish On Friday. Decem
ber lltb 1882 Commodore Levy received the following
welcome letter:
SIR bave jus, received your very extraordinary letter
You ought by ibis lime to have received one winch
ater rue Dc Lco's de edee,a No 4 10 see the s,ans
Of Jefferson. which have totally finished The fo~dXr
would JUST be ready for your intended departure
Temaln sir your obedent servant,
To Mons U P LEVY, Lieutenant de Hautbord 10 Rue de
The model of the statue referred to above was ap-
proved Of and accepted in 1892, after years labor. BY
General Lafayette and was conveyed al great risk on the
part OF the owner from Dayds studio in Rue LecoIc de
Medecn to the founder, Mons. Gonou, al NOMINATE.
after (the first casting having faed the statue was COM
pleted The following is Mons. Gonou's letter
H#.s4 aE LIE 16 NAL.
A MONSIEUR; Votre statue bronze pas reussic
colnme je e d6sirai lie metal case, probabemen les
circles ieI lie moue cest videe, pc pas
ssTyfe 10 vais nocuper dc suite fendre les miles
eeus que yous avez en- la de pour
10 uapaie. Jevous salut,
tTnnsalou.l
SIR, Your bronze has succeeded as well as
and the mould IS empty can do nothing now, buI shall
set myself TO work you mmed tey the one thou
sand crowns which you had the kindness advance
sst my abofs salute you, ETC.,
AT this crisis Commodore Levy Notwithstanding the
years delay found his cherished object az far from
his reach as ever but with all his characteristic com
mendable enterprise and the determination OF success
aware that the poverty OF Gonou could not we'll bear the
sum- proceed with all due despatch 1t took six weeks
TO break up The mould and clear the space for the second
attempt which, after numerous minor difficulties. the
most important OF which his lack OF means, resulted
tavoraby and his work. after the ancient FIorenne
method, sands in front OF the presidential msnsion
in w Arlington.
1t almost needless TO mention the expense. trouble
and anxlsy that beset The generous owner whs, super
intending transit to Havre, by land and from Hdvre
TO New York by sea. aud from New York 10 Washing
Whilst ia this city it was exhibited for the benefit OF
,he poor sufferers from the severity OF the winter OF "a
II was at This period that Commodore Levy presented
the cry the original cast which now adorns the Cover
ns,'s in the City Hail. which gut appropriately
acknowledged by the city government
On ts arrival NJ Washington, the following letter
presented By Pres dent John Tyler. then Senator from
Virginia. and 10 Hon John Patten, of the State, 10
the House: 1sesr...
To ihs Ss~an awd House of Rerusn,dfipu:
beg leave present. through you my felow-czens
Of the United States colossal bronze statue OF Tnomts
pendencr
Thus statue was executed under in Pars, by Ibe
celebrated Dipd, spa Hssas ,~ow and much admired
Tor the fidelity OF is likeness the great well
as the plain republican simplicity oi the Whole design.
IL Is wh pDde aud satisfaction thar am ena tiled Of
Ter this nbule OF regard TO the people of tue United
Safes through their Iepre essntaves and am such
disposition will be made oil II viii best spond with
character OF the ,'usrious man, and te prolouou
generation win witch his memory is cnensn.d by The
American people. With profound respect, have. &c !,
Ac, u r. LEVY, aet5
Lieutenant u. s. Navy.
wAsmrsoros. March %, 1894
THIS letter received and referred 10 the Joint La
brary Commtee-Hon. Mr. Robins. senator from Rhode
island, hsfmaD who transmitted by letter 10 the
thanks oi Congress and the acceptance ot the statue
Tie statue then standing IN the centre of The roun
do OF the Capitol where 1t remained until The presidency
Of MIR John Tyler, who placed II it's proper POSITION
out in the sir lawn OF the presidential mansion
surmonung pedestal, the voluntary gilt OF several pa
irouc citizens OF Washington. Gfeenoughs statue of
striving at this PERIOD replaced u for short
time. Here have resented iis authentic history
Does il look II "bonght in Pare for The of
old cothesp this MIR Johnson. alias IL Ssgefero, oi
the Daily Times, most maIicously and bsoty ststesi
Aa regards his venal statement ,mpagnIng Commodore
Levys patriotic motives, sugmszink them as specuaiIos
10 obtain professional advancement The past life o the
gentleman s sufficient reuiation 10 scandalous
opser rvation, and could only have emanaed from the
hrsn OF one utterly debased in his own motives and
actions rs 10 suppose all men like him Commo.
4 h.. hnfh bran rhes n iha