Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1860-03-08
statue of Washington.

The following is brief description Of
the Statue of Washington and the ped
estal on which it stands" as wo find it in
the New York Herald:
"l'ho pedestal is Of marble, twenty-five
feet in height, divided into three stories,
illustrating the three great epochs in the
history of the country. The figures are
in bronze. The first story represents the
country as it appeared on its first discov-
cry, when inhabited by the Indians. The
second story represents its general aspect
under the changes wrought by the still
advancing hand of civilization. The
third and last story represents the great
Revolutionary struggle, and is surmount-
ed by colossal statue of Washington.
In the first story the Indians are repre-
sented in low relief engaged in their fa-
vorte sports, capturing the buffalo, pur-
suing the moose and deer, and cultivat-
ing corn and tobacco. The first panel of
the second story is in high relief. The
white man appears cutting his way into
the dense forest, with hope and cheerful
ness beaming on his countenance. In a
corner of this panel the Indian is seen re-
tiring, looking wistfully back, his fea-
lures expressive of the pain and regret he
feels at being compelled to abandon his
happy hunting grounds, and to fly before
the face of the white man and the advance
of civilization. In the second panel the
white man has made clearing in the
forest, erected his log cabin, and is seen
busily cultivating his grouud-symbolic-
al of which are seen his oxen, plow, DC.
The dangers encountered by the early pi-
oneers are suggested by the appearance Of
Indians shooting them down from behind
trees with tho very rifles which the
white men had first taught them to
use. This lead to war between the red
warriors and the pale faces. The next
panel, therefore, presents battle with the
Iddians-man to man, and arm to arm
the white man, however, gaining the as
tendency over his rude foes. The next
panel represents the symbols of the white
mans progress in agriculture, in COM
merce, and in the arts, and his growing
power and independence. At this stage
of his history occur the difficulties with the
mother country, and the artist introduces
new scenes. On the succeeding panel are
exhibited three ships lying in Boston har-
Dor, These are the famous tea ships;
colonists, dressed as Indians are throw
ing the tea overheard. Then follows the
signing of the Declaration of Independ-
ence. This brings us to the third epoch
the Revolutionary war. The crown
ing figure in this great historical represen-
tation is the statue of Washington him.
self, represented as he appeared at the bat
tie of Princeton, at the moment when,
after having vainlv attempted tn rally his
troops, he spurred his charger and dash
ed up to the cannon's mouth. His terror
stricken horse recoils from the belching
fire and smoke, while showers of balls
tear up the earth beneath his feet
Washington, at this fearful moment, ap-
pears cool, collected and dignifed, believ-
ing himself an instrument in the hands Of
Providence, designed to work out the
great problem of liberty. The repose of
the hero is admirably portrayed, as is al
so > mortal terror of his noble steed--
The pedestal and statue have been de-
signed to form very prominent object
from their altitude"