Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-02-25
THE WASHINGTON STATUE.


The Inauguration Of Mills Equestrian Statue of Wash
ingon took place in this city yesterday afternoon with
apDropriate military masonic, and civic honor and was
OF the most interesting we'll imposing character,
notwithstanding that the natural elements tended TO de-
tract much from the pageant and to its delay
nv hours beyond the appointed time. The selection of
the 22d of February for the Inauguration was eminenty
proper as being the anniversary birth day of him TO
whose memory this statue is dedicated and who was
rst in war first in peace and first in the hearts of his
countrvmen" IL fitting that in the capital of the
nation in the city which he founded and amid the excl
ting scenes OF sectional agitation, that the recurrence Of
the natal dy of the PATER PATRIE should be marked by
so imposing demonstration 1t brought out the mill
tary az home and abroad as vel! as thousands of citizens
who laid aside care and business in order that they
might enter into the patriotic enjoyment of the holiday
The statue is situated in what is commonly known as
the Circle at the uncure OF several streets and avenues
in the west end Of the city Its construction by Clark
Mills was authorized by Congress- and is therefore ma
tiona work The statue Is mounted pedestal, com
manding view of the entire city, as well as George
town. and the surrounding Country IL represents the
Father of his country he appeared at the battle of
Princeton when after attempting several times in vain
rally his troops be put spurs TO his horse and dashes up
to the cannons mouth lis tOrrorsircken horse stops
and reco while the balls tear up the earth beneath his
feet but Washington cool, cuD, collected and dgnif-
ed believing himself simply instrument in the hands
o. Providence 10 work out the great problem of liberty
remains firmly seated, like god upon his throne. The
repoSe Of the hero at this moment OF imminent peril TO
his life contrasts admirably with the fearful agitation
manifested by his noble but unreasonng steed, who is
sustained by none of the considerations which impart
courage TO the hero and the Christian
Irving in his life OF Washington, alludes to the pre-
else moment OF time represented by the action of the
statue AT the of the charge of the British for
ces on the PENNSYLVANIA mitn at Princeton Washing
ton himself arrived the of action having gallop-
ed from the byroad in advance Of his troops From the
rising ground he behed Mersers troops reeating in
confusion and the detachment OF militia checked by the
British artillery. Every thing was at peril Putting
spurs his horse he dashed past the h. stating militia
waving his hat and cheering them His commanding
figure and white horse made him conspicuous object
for the enemys marksmen but he needed it not Gal
oping forward under the fire of MawhoOds battery he
called upon MERGERS broken brigade. The Pennsyvani-
rallied at the sound OF hsyoce aud caught fire from
his example. Al the same time the seventh Virginia
gment emerged from the wood aud moved forward with
loud cheers while fire ofgape shot opened by
Capt. Mouder of the American artillery from the brow
OF ridge the South. II resulted in victory Ameri-
cans
The statue is different in many respects from the
of Jackson in Lafayette square by the artist and
is pronounced by many good judges to be a superior
work. Both, however, calculated to please every
citizen and to reflect the highest honor on American
talent and art.