Washington telegraph., 1855-09-12
Virginia Washington Monument.

| y w hos 'uiHA VIC Sau give place 10
anything more interesting than the following
from the Richmond Enquirer of the 2Ist
| ult:
For several days past large crowd have
hovered around the Capitol, eagerly watch
/ ing the elevation, to their temporary pedes-
tails on the lower pediment of the western
stairway of the building, of Crawford'S CO.
lOssal bronze statues of Henry and Jeffer-
son. 1t was difficult and delicate opera
tiOn. to convey such monster boxes (weieh-
ing some three or 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
derrick, and Mr. John Lawrence, an "old
salt from the GOsport Navy Yard, who d.
! rected the rigging of the machinery, have
successfully attained both objects so far as
the elevation of Henry is concerned, at the
hour we write Mr.. Gait, the distinguish
ed young Virginia sculptor was present and
rendered great aid by his sensible sugges-
| lions.
On Saturday, the statue of Henry was
placed on its feet. the strong iron-bound
woodwork knocked away, and everything
ready for hosting. Yesterday morning the
colossal statue, twelve feet high, was raised
with perfect success. and stripped of its brown
linen covering, exposed to the public gaze
There was but one opinion, and that of de-
light, at the magnificent work of art, the
| splendid and lifc-like conception of the gift
ed artist. Patrick Henry is represented as
making speech of boldness and defiance,
with his left leg extended, both arms uprais-
ed, and the right holding sword in its
scabbard and a scroll inscribed Liberty
| 1873" his famous ''rcd cloak" falling grace
fully over his left shoulder The handsome
face is one of the finest characteristic wild
| ly glaring eye speaks conscious right and
defiance-the gestures are most graceful and
life-like, portraying in an extraordinary
manner the enthusiastic whirlwind elo-
quence of
Henry, the forest-born Demosthenes,
Whose thunder stOok the Phillip of the Seas
The face resembles somewhat Mr. Cal
hOun and Gov Wise. \ gentleman of
Campbell says that it is like Henry's eldest
SON Crawford took every pains to secure
a correct likeness, having obtained the best
portraits. and. above all, the original outline
sketches by Latrobc the elder, the eminent
! architect. The sword represents the war
breathing sentiments and eloquence of
Captain Henry" as his neighbors called
him. The cloak, with beautiful grace and
classic effect, relieves the sharpness of the
costume.
The orator is represented at the age of
%, when as the youthful member of the
House of Burgesses. at Williamsburg. on
the 29th of May, 1765 (his 29th birthday,)
he offered his resolutions against the British
Stamp Act, and showed himself giant
among giants in debate Among his papers
was found, after his deceasc, one sealed and
| thus endorsed:
Enclosed are the resolutions of the Vir
ginia Assembly, in 1865. concerning the
Stamp Act. Let my executors open this pa
per- On the back of the paper containing
the resolutions was the following endorse
ment; The within passed the House of
Burgesses in May, 1868 They formed
the first opposition to the Stamp Act, and
the scheme of taxing America by the Brit
ish Parliament All the colonies, either
through fear or from want of opportunity
to form an opposition, or from influence of
some kind or other, had remained silent.
| had been for tie first time elected bur-
CESS a few days before, was young, inexpc
rienced, unaequainted with the forms of the
house and the members who composed it
Finding the men of weight averse to oppo-
sition. and that no person was likely to step
forth, [ determined to venture and alone.
unaided and unassisted. on tie blank leaf of
an old law book, wrote the within. Upon
Offering them to the house, violent debate
ensued. Many threats were uttered, and
much abuse cast on me by the parties for
submission. After long and warm con-
test the resolutions passed by very small
majority. perhaps one or two only. The |
alarm spread throughout America with as
tonishing quickness. and the ministerial !
party were overwhelmed The great point
of resistance to British taxation was uni |
versally 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. VIII depend upon the use our
people make of the blessings which gra-
eious God hath bestowed on us. If they
are wise they will be great and happy. III
they are of a contrary character they viii be |
miserable. righteousness alone can exalt |
them as nation. Reader, whoever thou
art. remember this; and in thy sphere, prac-
tice virtue thyself, and encourage it in 9th |
ers z. HENRY"
Writ thus describes the scene which |
Crawford has immortalized in beautiful gol- |
den bronze
1T was an occasion that called upon him |
to put forth all bis strength, and he did put |
1t forth, in such manner as man never did |
before. The cords of argument. with which |
his adyersaries frequently fattered them /