The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1875-08-01
:" United Germany
A MONUMENT TO COMMEMORATE GERMAN
UNfTx-INrEREsTING DESCRIPTION,
tApplesons' Journal.

AA~iNHEhEsTING DESCRIPTION.
tApplesons Journal.
Although great MANY monuments have
oeen erected or completed in Germany
since the late war with France, only one Of
them--the Herman Monument. in Tento-
burger Forest-has, in every. resnect. a
truly national character, and this com mem
CRATES an event which happened nearly
nineteen hnudred years ego. Now, however,
ly interested In the project of erect;n~ a
monument which shall stand as memorial
OF the greatest epoch In modern German
nlstory-the union of the race against the
Frencn. and the formation of a new empire
under Kaiser Wilhelm. 1t is to be placed
upon the Niederwald, lofty summit at the
extremity OF the Taunns Mountains, over
.ookibg tne kline. From this point there
ie magnificent view. not only of the beau.
tifni, vine covered province known as the
hneingau, out also of the country on both
eides Of the river for many miles around,
The monument will be distinctly visible
for an immense distance.
Inc idea OF constructing such monu-
mens was drst entertained very soon after
ehe accession OF the King of Prussia to the
imperial throne. It was taken nm with
ardor among all classes of the people in
every part OF the empire, and preparations
were quickly made for obtaining suitable
design. Aelarge number of designs were
submitted to the committee of judges by
many noted German artists, but the one
onered by Professor Johannes Schilling, of
DRESDEN. was unanimously declared to be
the most appropriate and meritorious.
This symbol of German unity will proba-
bly, be about 90 feet high, and not less than
60 in width at the base. The dimensions,
however, have not yet been given with
exactness. 1t will be constructed of diff
ferently colored granite, with figures of
bronze. To the right and left of the socle,
or broad, projecting lower pedestals, which
will form the centre of the base, there will
20 terraced walls surmounted at each end
by colossal bronze candelabrnm. In the
middle of this socle there will be sculptur-
cd group, representing the Rhine and the
Moselle. Next will come the upper pedes
tai, which will be deliberately Ornamented
and inscribed. In front will be displayed
q large group, typify ing the uprising of the
German people to defend the Rhine, and
containing number of warlike- figures
surrounding the Emperor William, who
will be mounted and in military attire.
Beneath this group will be inscribed FIVE
verees of the popular patriotic cong, "Die
Wacht am Rhein." On the three Other
sides of this pedestal lengthy inscriptions
will set forth, in general terms, the history
of the war with France, and the reestab.
Ilsnment OF the German Empire. To the
left there will stand a huge figure of War,
holding drawn sword, and sounding the
alarm through great trumpet; and on the
right will be an image of Peace, correspon-
ding in size to the other, crowned with
laurel, and holding an olive-branch in her
hand. Between these two figures will rise
the shaft of the monument. Its lower por-
ton will be adorned in front with the
German eagle, garlands of victory. and
shields containing the arms of the different
States composing the empire while at the
sides and in the rear, will be presented the
names of those most active in bringing
about the new order of things, including all
the principal German generals of the present
day. The whole will be surmounted by o
magnificent colossal figure of Germany,
standing before the imperial throne. The
artist SCENE to have exerted all bis power
upon this grand statue, and his conception
is we'll worthy of the universal admiration
it has axcited among his 'countrymen. The
figure is that of a beautiful young woman,
thoroughly German in aspect, holding up
with one bare splendidly shaped arm the
crown of the empire, while the other rests
upon the hilt of long, lsurel-wreathed
sword, whose point is beside her right foot.