The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-06-02
The Bartholdi Statue.


While a great deal of complaint has been
made of the delay in raising the funds necessary
to erect a base for the great statue of Liberty,
the magnificent gift Of the people of France to
the people of the United States 1t appears that
few have a correct idea of its origin and the
character of the gift. II the necessary amount
has not yet been raised, 1t is the fault of every
citizen from one end of the land to the other
The idea of making and presenting the colossal
statue originated in 1875, and 1t was suggested
by the centennial of the founding OF the repub-
lic and q desire to erect fitting memorial. The
cost Of constructing the work-abOut $3.50, 00O-
was borne By the people of 181 cities and towns
of France, being in truth G popular
subscription, and gift from the
whole people of our sister republic.
Contrary to a generally prevalent erroneous be-
lief, the gift was made to the people of the
United States, not TO New York city. Had it
been gift to that city, the pedestal would have
been provided for long ago, as leading citizens
offered to guarantee the necessary amount pro-
vided that the statue be erected in Central
Park This was not the purpose for which 1t was
designed, and the French committee declined to
accept the offer, and expressed the desire to
have it placed on one of the Islands in New
York harbor, the natural gateway to the new
hOoc
passed resolution empowering the President to
accept the gift, and to select the island upon
which to erect 1t. This latter office has already
been performed, and Bedloe's island named as
the place. The resolution further provides that
the expense Of Inauguration shall be borne by
the Federal government, and the ceremony shall
be of international character, In keeping
with the spirit and magnitude of the gift The
place chosen for the pedestal, work on which
has already begun, is in old Fort Wood This is
twenty-six feet above the level of the sea, The
pedestal Will be $50 feet high, 65 feet square at
the base, and 40 feet square at the
top. The statue proper will be 149
feet high, 80 that the entire height
will be 324 feet, and the purpose is to make it
grand beacon, to be maintained at government
expense. The artist, Richard NJ. Hunt, OF New
York, is the architect OF the pedestal, and
General Charles p. Stone (5tene Pasha, late of
the Khedive's army, the engineer. Such is the
character and purpose of this noble gift. 1t is
the gift of all the people o. one great nation to
all the people OF another; and it is desirable
that all the people of this republic have "a share
III the erection of suitable foundation
for this greatest of all modern statues. OF
the amount eoessary-$250, 000-over half,
has already been subscribed in money
ana materials, the principal SUBSCRIPTIONS
coming from citzeus of New York. Every citi-
zen of the United States should feel patriotic
impulse to help in this matter Not that the
amount needed is great, or that 1t is hard to
raise. One cent from each human being claim
ing home under the flag OF America would pay
the bill five times over. 1t Is urgent that each
who can should give little-just as the people
of France did TO honor US. With this end in
view, and for the purpose of giving the people
of Indiana a chance to contribute, il is probable
that local committee will soon be selected to
receive subscriptions. The work ought to be
done promptly and cheerfuiy, as becomes u pa
triotlo and liberty -loving people.