Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1882-11-04
WISUIyCTOS LETTER.
From our Regular Correspondent

Washington, d. c., October 81, 1882.
The city is just beginning to receive It's
Winter complement, and to look once more
like tie Capital ofthe United States. Many
Of the fashionable people, who have been
away during the summer, have returned;
and the familiar faces of certain statesmen
alone are wanting m remind us that this is
the seat of government of the M ost gigantic
Young nation in the annals Of the plane,
called the Earth; the only planet and an
mails, by the way, about which either Mr..
Beocher or Mr.. Ingersoll know much.
The first thing that strikes the five months
absentee OH his return to the Capital is the
Washington monument. Fortunately 1t
ONLY strikes him figurativeh if it should
strike him square, the hypothesis of physi-
cal indestructibility might be proven alb
surd by melancholy example. This mon
ument that is intended to overtop every
monument in the world, already overtops
everything in Washington and issti!l Climb
ing skyward. 1t promises to realize all
that its projectors destined, and will doubt
less be the most impressive beautiful, and l
must say astounding piece of architecture
in the world. |, of course, do not mean to
say that il will reflect rs much genius in
design. or science and labor il execution as
many other architectural triumphs of the
world. as for instance St Peters, st. Pauls
or the Cathrelal of Cologne; but for awe
inspiring grandeur and chastc sublimity,
this plain, white shaft, its base on level
with the OCEAN and It's head in clouds, eX-
GELS them all.
Another third has yet to be added 10 its
stature, and then will come the question OF
its surrounding figure What shall 1t be?
Various designs have been suggested by ma
tive and by foreign artists. No design has
been definitely adopted. \ statue of Wash
ington, in order to present recognizable
/ likeness from such an altitude, will have to
/ be of more than colossal size, and horse
of proportional size would be out Of the
question Besides Washington has already
one colossal equestrian statue in the city
and sentiment IS growing in favor Of hon
oring Washington more, and the horse, and
all that the Horse typefcs, less. We have
/ already glut of colossal bronze equestrian
monuments 70 war; so may indeed, as to be
out Of accord with our peaceful annals, and
the genius of Institutions which are not
military, bat civil
The monuments to peace in the United
States are sufficiently Nisable to the student
and the philosopher and to anv ono in fact
who reads aud reflects. Bat it were better
that the triamphs of peace and industry,
craftsmanship and science should be 50 sym
bolized and honored as to make them pal
cable to fools
would ske to see on the top Of this
monument, a statue of Washington as lie
stood at the close of his presidential term,
willing to leave his exalted station for the
farm and by him, with an electric light
in his hand, to make them visible in the
darkest night, his distinguished conicmpo-
rary, known in both hcmispheres as the first
to apply electricity, Benjamin Franklin.
Such a group would be a suggestive and
an impressive history. ltwouid be thorough
/ " modern and American. 1t would speak
more eloqucrtiy of that which is greatest in
our past, and most auT'iciops for the future
Of mankind, chan all the monuments to war
/ in Clris;endom and lIcathendon grouped to-
| gethcr.