Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-02-19
VIRGINIA WASHINGTON MONUMENT


We publish with true pleasure the following letter
from u member of the very intelligent committee OF
the Virginia Historical Society who il ls4S,
fully msmorialized the General Assembly for mouu.
.neut to George Washington:
February 5:b, 1858.
TO YIN. r. Richie Esq
Dear Sr:-1 WAS happy 10 SEQ il announced in the
columns Of The Enquirer that the approaching 22d Of
February would witness the Closing ceremonies con.
seGuen: upon the completion G! the Virginia Monu
tneu erected TO the memory CT Washington.
This testimony of public respect or his memory.
Oh the part Of his native State, has. ti!Gk you will
say, been already delayed t"o cng Bus 1t is pleas
lug thought to the loyal UiGd, ha. while the demon
.. faction which pervades portions of our Union
would oblliera,e from the records OF time, the Last
v-eiige Of the ius,r,ous deeds Of revolutionary
Gre and biz ccmpees. in other portions, fresh de-
monstrations are sp.icgiGg into lie 10 proclaim that
the spirit of seventy ak s; lives Ia vindcste their
aonor and preserve their memory f'om decay.
When the present plan Of the Virginia Monument
ives suggested, come OF our friends, and | sncpc
HEM you may reco.lec, felt .pprehensive for ILL
success. This apprehension had is orig,u, on ms
part in the general conviction that lofty 6gure
Imposing impression in works OF art designed to
inemorate the lives Of great men, great events are
more likely TO commend them 10 the favor of the
public. But as the progression at the work has de
ve'opsd one proportion after smother have changed
rry views in regard 10 this subject; nov think,
whit was lost in those respects above mentioned has
by the present plan been gained the beautiful clsss
c order, which has been secured, together with the
associations which will be awakened in The public
nid. by the lower tier of figures, standing as they
10 ia appropriate relation 10 the equestrian statue
above: which could nc: asvo been used with an ele.
va;ed sphere. surmouned in the sainewny. II, them
the Virginia Monument be unlike whe. the ditinyusL-
cd Webster eaid he desired me monument Il, Bun.
aers Hill to be; if we cannot say of il that it pen
et:s;es this couds-that it !e 'the frat object that
shall attract the mariners eye as he rides into port
and The last on which the rays of the setag shall
sl,.tg
ag i's design, such the EXT; and beauty il displays
may venture 10 hope that il shall not only &C..
cure the public admiration for the present time but
through long uoceeding years become the FIRST %
ect that shall arrest the attention os the nouiring
stranger be wake the streets OF growing capi.
ISL and the last among the obsolete, neglected. mutt.
lated torms of art whose ruins lie crunolipg beusa,h
;He all pervsding foot OF time.
/ congratulate your Board OF Commissioners upon
he completion Of the work, a teetimcuy Of regard
ON behelt of the State of Virginia. to the memory
Eirginss most distinguished son, and in all respects
appropriate. Not built Of materials brought from
the heidS OF ambitious c.rDsae bu: secured BY the
generous offerings gathered up from the altar of the
patriotic and grateful hez o hi, cuuu,rymep; and
iasulsbcg another evidence ~ the world. that the
,sh''nieiu Is oe'.e. apphea % or good and noble
Washington, than to the ti.ns uished PRISONER nj 81
ieeEa-that the tomb came. contain. h;rI r tru,,
the pa Of February viii Sea proud aud i,vora dsv
10: the citlzens OF the Old Common weaih. SnrsIy
:-ra 8 not Virginia hear, whose pu!sa;ious wonIJ
not quicken with patriotic pride 20 see the ilut,im
Varr If country rea-Iy s;x.y years after h. hn
Ge>cended 10 tho tomb, On the Cap;v; Square Of IN.
na!iv5 Stale, placed, BY the baud OF art for The ad
;aisi"c gaze Of thousands, in significant grandeur.
rhere s deed. and virtues placed him in real life
":!rst in peace" "a he FIRST IN war;" elevated
above the surrounding group Of mia iusirious com.
peers, who, though beneath him, yet wers like him
and deserve 20 be- associated with him, in fame that
shall live when the metallic solid marble that
r-vcais his form records his achievements, shai
c,unbs back 10 dust.
Yours, truly, j. 5. I.
We would Ie9ues. our brethren CT the press :,
state that Richie & Darpavans are about publishing
ialth.u! Lithogrsphic view of the Virginia Wash.
ington Ionument-to be sod a, 81 EACH for the hep
eit Of toe Fund Of the Ladies Mount Vernon asso-
Thee lIi.hnorhnkin Ia