The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-06-18
The Proper site for the obelisk.

IL ia with considerable satisfaction that
we give general publicity this morning to n
fact announced yesterday in the columns of
the World newspaper. Nearly two years
ago our esteemed contemporary began to
exert is well-known influence with the
Khedive Of Egypt for the purpose Of in
ducing that sovereign prince TO deed TO the
city of New York the obelsk now standing
on the strand at Alexandria, and known rs
CLEoPATRAs Needle-its mate, the other
Needle, having been successfully trans
ported to London and planted on the
Thames Embankmcnt. The negotiations
begun In the autumn OF 1877 and carried on
since that time by our esteemed contem-
porary with its accustomed perseverance
and address, have now been brought TO a
definite conclusion. We are informed by
the World that the matter is at last settled
IsMAfL Pasha has graciously granted our
esteemed contemporaries petition, an emf
nent English engineer has signifled his
Willingness TO undertake the job OF towing
the monolith across the Atlantic, and the
necessary funds, TO the amount OF 500, 900,
have been promised TO the accomplished
editor Of our esteemed contemporary by a
liberal citizen OF New York, whose name is
withheld for the present. Nothing remains
but TO discuss and determine the question
of the best site for the Worlds Needle-for
thus will the obelisk be known as long as
memory enshrines gratitude-after the VEN
cradle stone shall have been foated over the
ocean and landed on our shores.
We congratulate our esteemed contempt
rary upon its signal success In this enter
| prise. The undivided credit belongs TO the
World, and we shall make it our pleasant
task TO see that the public appreciates and
recognizes the extent OF our contemporaries
services in the matter. We regret TO infer,
from a remark in tho World OF yesterday,
that IL anticipates disposition on the part
Of its esteemed contemporaries to belittle
the obelisk. and TO treat It's own share In
the enterprise with jealous GOODNESS, II not
| with rdicule. This seems to us unjust.
| Why should the other newspapers of New
York belittle or deride an undertaking
which not only confers upon our city AN in
teresting object Of antiquity but also re-
fleets lasting glory upon American journal
ismY We do not believe that the press OF
New York ever begrudges the credit due 10
the trumphs OF any OF its members We
| do not expect that In this instance the press
OF New York will manifest a disposition so
unlovely and unjust.
This leads us to the question OF n proper
site for the obelisk. We submit that in this
matter the opinion OF the World should have
fourfold weight, yet we cannot agree with
our esteemed contemporary in thinking that
| Reservoir sas~ra. tho rasarvnir hainG ra-
moved, would be the most suitable spot for
the erection OF the Worlds Needle. That is
a large square, while the shaft itself, al
though immense in historical associations
and archaeological interest is comparatively
small In its geometrical dimensions. II
would be dwarIed in an open place SO ex.
tensive, and would there become an insignia.
cant instead Of an imposing object to con,
template.
1t seems TO US that for several reasons
Printing House square is the proper place
TO put II in. Standing here. in the very cen
tire OF the intellectual activity OF the CONT
nent, its venerable aspect would be a con
slant reminder to the workers OF the daily
press Of the permanence of Thought, and q
constant check TO frivolity. Moreover
standing among the principal newspaper
offices OF the city, 1t would make the best
sort OF monument TO the enterprise o
modern journalism. 1t may be objected thai
the central spot in Printing House square is
already occupied by an el1igy OF the late
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, and, further, that the
ancient monolith would show to poor advan
tage under the huge front OF Mr. JAY
GoULD's Tall Tower. There Is weight in botl
OF these objections.
Let the shaft, then, be planted littl,
further to the south, directly in front OF tn,
office OF our esteemed contemporary, tn,
World.