The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1867-04-24
RATE OF SUBSCRIPTIONS.
GaIIery OF statuary.-.shaII
West Virginia Make = Contribution=

.sLetter from Senator Van Wrinkle.
We are permitted TO publish the fol-
flowing letter addressed by Senator
Van nfWinkle to Governor Boreman on
the subject Of a contribution by West
Virginia to the National Gallery OF
Statuary, in the old Hall of Represen-
tives at Washington: We also append
the circular referred to by the Senator:
I5'4; =, u has WAsHISaToS, April 20, 1867.
nDEAR GovERNoR--The accompany
ling paper, of which you have probably
received copy, was handed 10 me by
Senator Morrill,, of Vermont, with an
earnest request that Il would endeavor
to procure the action of our. State in the
Premises, and i trust you will feel war
ranted In pressing it upon the consider
alton of the Legislature in your next
annual message. In the meanwhile it
would be as well TO cause the circular
to. be published in the papers, SO that
public attention, may Mt once be drawn
to the subject. The expense would not
! probably exceed fifteen or twenty thou
sand dollars, and our people would pay
that cheerfullY y rather than see the spot
appropriated to us in the Hall OF Stat
uary of the Capitol remain vacant,
It would be proper and desirable to
invite an expression of 7theCppinion of
| our citizens as to whose statues should
be presented TO the nation, before the
| Legislature meets, as it would, afford
them some guide in making the selec
tions. There are some obvious pTincf-
pies which should govern in this every
where, and at least one peculiar 10 our
selves. The latter requires that the
statues should represent persons born
in, or residents in their life time, (for
no such honor should be recorded to
any living Person) of what now consti-
tnteS the territory of nTYeSt Virginia.
We have, and should always assert,
common inheritance with the old State
In the fame of that galaxy. Of .ihefoes,
statesmen and public benefactors, by
which she Is eminently distinguished;
butasit is our own State, as It now ex-
lists, that is to be represented, only her
own sons should be chosen. Among
the principles of universal application
referred to. the statues should represent
those who have a national as well as a
local lreputation!' iuNEl LGil H
L presume there will hardly
be difference of opinion as to
the prOpriety OF selecting Philip
Doddridge, as one OF those whose
memory Is to be thus perpetu-
ated. L would venture to name as one
Ofthose from whom the second is to be
selected, Lewis Summers, as one whose
devotion to the interests Of West Vir-
giniR was manifested on the same
theatre With Philip Doddridge, and as
one who clearly foresaw that sepnra-
ton from the old State was inevitable.
But Will not now dwell on this sub
ject. - 100 -'-s 2iF5.'A
The comparisons to which our statues,
Standing among those presented by all
nIhnF Sfnfaa would ha on hfantn1
sufficiently indicate that none but
artists of established reputation should
be employed Indeed, as mere repre-
sentations of the human form, however
accurate the likenesSes, are not what is
wanted, but images which will present
even 10 the glance OF the beholder, the
mental and moral, as well as the
physical characteristics of the persons
represented, none but accomplished
artists would be equal to the task. To
those who have seen the statues of JEFF
ferson and Patrick Henry, at Rich
lmOnd, my meaning will be evident. A
person unacquainted with the personal
| lineaments of either, would unhesi-
tatfngly- distinguish between them IL
acquainted with the Histories of their
lives, and as he gaZed would imbibe a
higher appreciation of their respective
characteristics. w
n But tOf0ear tureher suggestions
which you may consider out of place
at this time. Ny interest in the subject
must be my apology.
Yours truly and respectfully,
r}TJWrQr G.rNAN wLNKLE.
- WAsHINoToN, D. c., March, 1867.
To the Gove1nors Of The several States .or
the United States -ii5.iiafis =, 4, :.
It appears that the Congress of the
United States passed an Act, July 2,
1864, (SeetiOn Second, J authorizing the