The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-03-05
The Eee Monument.

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To the Editors of the Dispatch:
Gentlemen.- was a n1eeting,I am
told, held this morning in our city to carry
out the long-entertained hope OF every
southern heart to erect a becoming monu-
ment to General Robert E. Lee. We have
not learned the result OF that meeting, and
we have every confidence III the ladies and
gentlemen who have so important matter
in charge. We trust, however, that they
will come to no haSty conclusion or forget
not only.the great man to whom they pur-
pose erecting this monument, but especially
the people by whom it IS to be erected. 1t
is monument to be erected not to Lee the
Virginian, but to Lee the great captain OF the
Confederate armies, not simply in this State,
as the State of his nativity. but in Rich
mond, because Richmond was the capital
OF the Southern Confederacy. For that mon
ument appeals have been and will hereafter
be made to every southern State; and from
the way in which they have so far replied
to our requests, based on far-otf promises,
we NAV rest assured that they will heartily
and fully respond when they see the monu-
ment on the eve Of being erected, ana only
asking little aid from the survivors OF
Lees soldiers. =. '..
As this will be undoubtedly the generous
sacred duty on the part Of those to whom
this precious work is entrusted to
assure our people that their wishes
shall be fully carried out, and that no
sectional feeling shall control or contract
the design. Invitations should be extended
to the whole world to come in and offer de.
signs. England has generously given us
noble monument Of Jackson, and we
should i'll return their generosity by eX-
cludiuc English artists from competing for
this southern monument. No lover OF art
could ever dream of excluding Italy and
Germany, not only the very cradles of art,
but perhaps even now the only countries
where high art is found, except when car
ried thence by purchasers. We sincerely
hone, therefore, that the invitations will be
extended to the whole world, and that no
favoritism to Virginian artists will be
shown in the selection. unless the design
offered by the Virginian is in every way
equal to any offered from abroad.
We must further remember that IL this
monument is to be an equestrian statue, to
be erected in our Capitol Square, it will be
put to very severe test by comparison
with Washington's-the finest monument
OF the kind in this country, and second to
but few in Europe. It is my fear OF this
comparison that makes me much regret
that the people seem determined on
an equestrian statue. Unless it is
equal in size and design to the Wash
inyton monument it will be greatly depre-
ciated by such close proximity, anh1 doubt
whether enough money will be collected
for many years to erect another monument
here that will bear good comparison with
that Of Washington. This, however, may
be an after-consideration. In the mean
time, let it be remembered that it is to be
a monument erected to the great captain OF
our armies by southern men, women, and
children, of every southern State, in memo
~ Of that great leader Of the southern
cause, and IN the capital Of the Southern
Confederacy. Let the whole world be invited
to compete for the honor of being the chosen
sculptor to carry out this design. Let
ample time say one year-be given for the
artists in all lands to learn Of our intention,
to model designs and bring them to Rich
mond for comparison and selection; and
after the design has been thus chosen and
the cost of it fully known, then let the COM
mittee appointed to make the choice report
to the southern people what they have done
and call on the southern people to carry out
the design, OH the full assurance that the
best workman and the best design offered
by the entire world has been chosen to erect
a lasting monument to the name OF Lee.
d. appON .TToy