The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-03-10
The Ice MonuHn emit.

With the utmost Difference for the distin-
guished gentlemen who compose the Board
Of Managers OF the Lee Monument Associa-
ton, we appeal to them to reconsider their
recent action in calling for "modelS, draw
ings,J and designs" for n colossal equestrian
statue Of General Robert Z. Lee, to be erect
ed in the Capitol Square.
Supposing the Board of Managers had au-
thority to act at all in this important mat
ter-about which we shall have somewhat
to say further on-we deplore, and, with
the greatest Difference, protest against their
unfortunate attempt to cabin, crib, and con-
fine the range OF designs to an equestrian
statue. When we look at the charter Of the
Association we see that its discretion as to
the kind of monument to be erected is en-
tirely untrammeled, as it should be.
But by what authority is it that the Off
GERS OF the Association have foreordained
that the monument shall be colossal
equestrian statue? In the absence Of in
structions from the corporators, would it
not seem to be clear that il the Board OF
Managers had any power in the premises
it was merely to carry out the object Of the
charter by soliciting designs for nonG-
ment, without limitation Us to its kind?
AS an humble citizen, without any other
motive than desire to promote this great
enterprise, we cannot spare to express our
profound regret that the first step towards
carrying out the pious object so dear to
every southern heart has been ill-judged
and inauspicious. 1t needs no Cassandra
to predict dissatisfaction, apathy, and, it
may be, failure. rs the consequences OF this
step, if it is not recalled. Whatever may
be the ability OF the Board of Managers,
we venture to say that the public are not
prepared to acquiesce in their conclusion
that the most suitable monument would be
an equestrian statue, or to believe that
there is no probability that the sculptors OF
Europe and America have creative power
enough to produce design or designs for
some other kind Of monument which would
be more acce ptabIe than the one approved
Of by the Board. --.-
Appealing, then, to the Board Of Managers
to reconsider their action, we beg them to
make their invitation for designs, &c,
without limitation or restriction, taking
care to adopt the wise and timely sugges-
tions OF your correspondent ;"J. d." by
allowing much more time for sending in
designs than is now given. AS your cor
respondent shows, the. time fixed for that
purpose is so short as practically to cut off
European competition. ..-.....
reconsider their resolution to put the pro-
jected statue in the Capitol Square. The
charter Of the Association does not call for
1t; on the contrary, it gives wide discre-
tion in that particular. We humbly ask,
Where is the fitness Of putting another
statue in that already-crowded Square !?
That it was a mistake to put the Jackson
statue there is to our perhaps untutored)
mind manifest. 1t was unjust to the city,
whose attractions should be distributed !;
and it was preiudicial to the statue to give
it position which dwarfS it. Imagine how
the manly, heroic figure of Jackson would
expand and grow il placed in the middle Of
the space formed by the intersection OF Main
and Fifth streets. May we not, then, be
spared the chagrin Of seeing another statue
crowded into the Capitol Square?
AS the object Of the incorporation OF the
Lee Monument Association was the erection
Of monument to General Lee, we trust VIC
shall not be regarded as captious IL we ask
whether that fundamental purpose can be
carried out by the Board OF Managers-the
directors-alone, without the voice OF the
members OF the corporation at large? Had
the corporators been convened and con-
suited about the important and interesting
object for which they have given their
money? The charter Of the Association con-
templated that the contributors to the mon
ument fund should have voice in its coun-
sells, Tor the second section provides that
"the said Association shall have power to
provide for representation in its general
meetings and elections of the Individual
subscribers to the fund raised by
subscription" &c. Acts 1s7G-'7l, p.
All Now, If there can ever be
an occasion for general meeting of the
corporators of this Association it was un-
doubtedly to take measures to procure suit
able design for the fundamental object Of
the corporation. Have the Board OF Mana
gers acted without. calling general meet
ing i? II they have we appeal to them in
the name Of the enterprise to retrace their
steps, and avoid the perilous error Of ex-
ceeding their powers. STRATFORD.