Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1855-08-29
VIRGINIA WASHINGTON MONUMENT.


For several days past a large crowd have lowered
ound the Capitol eagerly watching the elevation,
to their temporary pedestals on the lower pedimcnt
OF the western stairway of the building, of Craw-
ford's colossal bronze statues of Henry and Jefer
son. 1t was difficult and delicate operation, to
convey such monster boxes (wcighing some three
four tons) from the Dock to the Capitol Square,
and then to raise them on the pedestals. But Mr..
w. j. McCloy, with his heavy stone wagon and der
rick, and Mr.. John Lawrence, odd salt " from
the Gosport Navy Yard, who directed the rigging
of the machinery, have successfully attained both
objects, far the elevation of Henry~is Concern
ed, at the hour write. Mr.. Galt the distinguish
ed young Virginia sculptor was present and render,
ed great aid by his sensible suggestions
On Saturday, the statute of Henry placed on
its feet, the strong n-bouud woodwork knocked
away, and every thing ready for hosting. Yestcr-
day morning the colossal statue, 70 feet high, was
rased with perfect success and stripped gifts brown
linen covering, to the public gaze. There was but
one opinion and that of delight at the magnificent
work of art the splendid and lifeke conception of
the gifted artist. Patrick Henry is represented as
making speech of boldness and defiance, with his
left leg extended, both upraised and the right
holding sword in its Scabbard and scroll inscrib-
ed Liberty-1765, his famous " red cloak" falling
gracefully over his left shoulder. The handsome
face is of the finest Characteristic wildly glar
ing eye speaks conscious right and defance-the
gestures most graceful and life-ke, portraying
in extraordinary manner the enthusiastic and
whirlwind eloquence of
Henry the forestborn Demosthenes
whose thunderS shook the Phillip OF the seas"
The face resembles somewhat Mr.. Calhoun and
Gov. Wise Agentleman of Campbell says that it
is like Henry's eldest son. Crawford took every
pains to secure correct lkness, having obtained
copies of the best portraits and, above ALL the orig
i!.a outline sketches of Latrobe the elder the emf
ncnt architect The sword represents the warbreath
ing sentiments and eloquence Of " Captain Henry"
as his neigllbors called him. The cloak, with beau
tul grace and classic effect relieves the sharpness
Of the costume.
The orator is reDresented at the ACE of 90 when
as the youthful member of the House of Burgesses
at Williamsburg, on the 29th May, 1865, (hs Goth
birthday he offered his resolutions against the Brit
ish Stamp Act and Showed himself giant among
giants in debate. Among his papers found, af-
ter his decease, sealed and thus endorsed:
Enclosed are the resolutions of the Virginia As
sembly, in l765, concerning the Stamp Act. Let
my executors open this paper" On the back of the
paper containing the resolutions the following
endorsement 1.-The within passed the House of Bur-
gesscs in May, 65. They formed the first opposition
to the Stamp Act, and tine scheme of taxing by the
British Parliament All the colonies either through
fear, the want of opportunity to form oppos
ton, from influence of kind other, had
remained silent l had been for the first time cleo
ted burgess few days before, was young, mex
perienced, unacquanted with the forms of the house
and the members who composed it. Finding the
men of weight avcrse to opposition, and the COM
mencement of the tax at hand, and that person
was likely to step forth, determined to venture
and alone unaided and unassisted, the blank leaf
of old law book wrote the within. Upon offer
ing them to the house, violent debate ensued Many
threats uttered, and much abuse cast on me by
the parties for submission. After long and warm
contest, the resolutions passed by very small ma
jority, perhaps one or two only. The alarm spread
throughout America with astonishing quickness and
the ministerial party were overwhelmed. The great
point of resistance to British taxation unver-
sally established in the colonies This brought on
the war, which finally separated the two countries
and gave independence to ours Whether this will
prove blessing or curse, will depend upon the
aL-no f oh
God bath bestowed on Ii they of a contra
ry character, they will be miserable. Righteousness
alone can eXalt them nation. Reader, whoever
thou art, remember this and in thy sphere prac-
tise virtue myself and encourage it in others.
P. HENRY
Writ thus describes the scene which Crawford
has immortalized in beautiful golden bronze:
" 1t was an occasion that called upon HIM to put
forth all his strength and he did put forth, in such
manner man never did before The cords of ar
guinent, with which his adversaries freqnenty fiat
tered themselves that they had bound him fast, be-
came pack-threads in his hands. lie burst them
with much case as the unshorn Sampson did the
bands Of the Pnistines He seized the pillars of
the temple, SHOOK them terribly, and seemed to
threaten his opponents with ruin 1t was an inces-
SAINT storm of lightning and thunder which struck
them aghast. The fant-hearted gathered courage
from his countenanee, and towards became heroes
while they gaZed upon his exploits.
g. 1t in the midst of this magnificent debate,
while he was descanting on the tyranny of the OBJ
noXious act, that he exclaimed in voice of thunder
and with the look of god: Caesar had his Brutus,
Charles the First, his Cromwe-and George the
IhTd-( Ireason! cried the Speaker" Treason,
treason" echoed from every part of the house 1t
was one of those trying moments, which is decisive
OF character Henry faltered not for Instant but
rising to ofter attitude, and fixing on the Speaker
an eye OF the most determined fire, he finished his
sentence with the trmest emphasis)-may profit by
their e&."ple. If this be treason, make the of
ii, This was the only expression of defiance which
c. sped hi2n during the debate
Il! may here be remarked, that Patrick Henfy's
celebrated speech of "Give me liberty or give me
dcath, not made till ten years later, viz: in
March, 49, i'll the Virginia Convention which as
sembled in The Old Church Church Hill in this
city of Richnond.]
In this necessarily hurried notice. we have not
attempted to do justce-although we have not the !
artistic capacty-to this splendid work of art. 1t
will attract the admiration of thousands and will |
confer glory on Crawford the designer and sculptor
and on Miller, the Director of the Foundry at Mu.
will do honor to the Old Dominion, in
thus muni6cently honoring her patriotic and great
sons. Rich Eno |
THE OATH CONFESSED. |
The following extract is taken from the Knoxville