Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-08-21

ton. But the magnitude of the work
snd various other causes, some
political, some financial, delayed the
completion until the present time.
The statue is now. however, about
finished and will be set up in Paris
for exhibition previous to being ship
ped to this country. 1t is of cop.
per in sheets fastened toan enormous
ly strong frame work Of iron. made of
beams and girders like the latest and
most approved bridge structures. The
cost OF the statue has been about two
hundred and fifty thousand dollars.
This sum has been raised by small con.
tributions from French people. Rich
and poor, learned and unlearned,
young and old. in fact. the whole peo-
pie, from the humblest peasant to the
proudest prince, have paid for the
work aud materials and artistic skill
which has created the statue. 1t is a
gift from the French people to the
American people. This is surely a
remarkable and beautiful example of
generous and poetic sentiment perS
vadipg a whole nation
1T is estimated that the work of
preparing the pedestal and placing
the statute will cost about the same
sum as the statue itself. That sum it
is desired should be distributed by
the American people in a manner
similar to that in which the statue
fund was raised. The American Com
mittee having charge OF the work has
issued an appeal to the people Of the
United States requesting that not
only individuals but Chambers of
Commerce, Boards of Trade, Elk.
changes, Tradesmens' and Mechanics
Associations and SOciable Clubs, and
all otker legal or voluntary organiza
tons shall interest themselves in the
furtherance of their objects. Aud in
order that all classes Of citizens NAV
be able to take part in this grand,
patriotic enterprise, subscriptions to
any amount, however large or how
ever small, will be gladly received. by
the committee
About 100000 have already been
raised in New York. But it is not
considered desirable that New York
and the sister cities that surround the
bay shall alone enjoy the honor of
this noble work. Hence
the appeal to all the people. The
Grand Army Of the Republic, the
public schools aud other organiza-
tions in the North are moving in the
matter. Now the question naturally
arises, cannot we Of the South do our
share in showing full appreciation
Of the generosity Of the people of
France. You, Mr.. Editor, and all !
the journalists of the South ought to
take hold of this question, keep it be-
fore the Southern people, urge it and
sustain it, until an affirmative answer
is obtained.
"There has been a good deal writ. |
ten in the scientific journals. and also |
in the unscienti6c about the engineer
ing difficulties attending the sitting of
the statue on its pedestal. l will not
at the conclusion of Sc long a commu-
nicatIon as this discuss that problem.
| will say, however, that the Difficult.
ties are more of physical and Chem
ical nature than otherwise. There il |
no difficulty OF making the pedestal
and statue strong enough to resist the
mere pressure Of wind, as some seem
to think.
"But there are difficulties connected
with the thermal, electrical and n.y.
grometric conditions Of the atmo-
sphere, which are sufficiently grave to
make any engineer pause and ponder
General Stone fully appreciates these
difficulties, and [ believe he will COM
pletely overcome them"