Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-12-08
MARK TWAIN AGGRIEVED.
Why a Statue of Liberty When We
Eaye Adam!

| Mark Twain was asked to contribute to the
| album OF artists sketches and autograph let
tiers. to be rallied for at the Bartholdi Pedestal
Fund Art Loan Exhibition, and this is his re-
| spouse, which accompanied his contribution:
| You know my weakness for Adam, and YOU
know how have struggled to Get him a monu-
| ment and failed Now, it seems to me- here Is
my chance. What do we care for statue of
liberty when we've got the thing itself in its
widest sublimity? What you want of a mOnu-
ment is to keep you in mind of something you
haven't gOt-somethng you'velost. Very well;
we haven't lost liberty; we've lost Adam.
Another thing. What has liberty done for u.s.
Nothing in particular that know Of What have
we done for her? Everything We've given
her home, and good home, too. And if she
knows anything, she knows it's the first time
she ever struck that novelty. She knows that
when we took her in she had been mere tramp
for 5000 years, Biblical measure. Yes, and we
not only ended her troubles and made things
soft for her permanently but we made her re-
spectable-and that she hadn't ever been before
AND now, after we've poured out these Atlantcs
OF benefits upon this aged outcast 10! and be-
hold you. we are asked to come forward and set
up monument to her! Go to. Let her set I'D
monument to us if she wants to do the clean
| thing.
But suppose your statue represented her old,
Dent, clothed in rags, dOwncast, shame faced
with the insults aud humiliation Of 5000 years
lmploring crust and an hours rest for Cod
sake at our back doOr?-come now you're shout
ing! That's the aspect of her which we need to
be reminded of, lest we forget it-nOt this pro-
posed one. where she's hearty and we'll fed, and
holds up her head and flourishes her hosptable
schooner OF flame, and appears to be inviting
all the rest of the tramps to come over. o, go
to-this is the very insolence of prosperity
But, on the other handbook at Adam. What
have We done for Adam? Nothing. What has
Adam done for US? Everything He gave US
lie, ne gave US death, he gave us heaven, he
gave Us he'll These are inestimable privileges
and remember, not one OF them should we have
had without Adam. Well. then, he ought to
have mOnument-for Evolution is steadily and
surely abolishng him; and we must get Up a
monument, and be quick about it, or
our chldren's children will grow up igno-
rant that there ever was an Adam.
With trihing alterations, this present sta
tue will answer very we'll for Adam.
without any trouble; part the hair on one side,
or conceal the sex of his head with fire helmet.
and at once he's man; put harp and halo
and palm branch in the left hand to symbolic
part Of what Adam did for US, and leave the
nre-basket just where it is. to symbolic the
rest. My friend, the father of life and death and
taxes has been neglected long enough. Shall
this lnfamy be allowed to 60 on or shall 1t stop
right here?
Is it but question Of finance? Behold the
Enclosed (paid bank) checks. Use them as
freely as they are freely contributed. Heaven
KNOWS l would there were ton of them;
would send them all to you, for my heart is In
tnlS suDllne work! s. L. G.