The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-12-07
NGRAT1rUDE TO ADAM.
Our Duty to Liberty Being Performed, Let
Us Do Something for Adam.

Mark Twain was asked to contribute to the
album of artists sketches and autograph let
tiers, to be ratified 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 10Y / have struggled to get him a
monument and failed. Now, it seems to me,
here is my chance. What do we care for a
statue Of liberty when we've got the thing
itself in its widest sublimity? What you
want of a monument is to keep you in mind
of something you haven't got-something
you've lost. Very we'll: we haven't lost lib
erty; we've lost Adam.
"Another thing: What has liberty done
for usP Nothing in particular that l know
OF. What nave we done for her? Every
thing. We've given her a home, and a 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 a mere tramp for 6, 1000 years,
biblical measure. Yes, and we not only
ended her troubles and made things soft for
her permanently, but we made her respecta-
ble-and that she hadn't ever been before.
And now, after we've poured out these At
lantics of benefits upon this aged %outcast, lol
and behold you, we are asked to come for
ward and set up a to her! 60 to.
Let her set up a to us if she
wants to do the clean thing.
olb ooPinOSO HO0A tht Sft
sented her old, bent, clothed
in rags, downcast, shame-faced, with
the insults and humiliation of 5000 years,
imploring a crust and an hours rest for
Gods sake at our back door?-come, now
you're shouting! That's the aspect of her
which we need to be reminded of, lest we for
get it-not this proposed one, where she's
hearty and we'll fed, and holds up her head
and fourishes her hospitable schoone of
fame, and appears to be inviting all the rest
of the tramps to come over. q, go to-this
is the very insolence of prosperity.
"But, on the other hand, look at Adam.
What have we done for Adam? Nothing.
What has Adam done for us? Everything.
He gave us life, he gave us death; he gave us
heaven, he gave us hell. These are ines
Unable privileges-and remember, not one
of them should we have had without Adam.
Well, then, he ought have a monument
for evolution is slowly and surely abolish
ing him, and we must get up a monu-
ment, and be quick about it, or our
children's children will grow up ignorant
that there eve was an Adam. With trif1ing
alterations, this present statue will answer
very well for Adam. You can turn that
blanket into an ulster without any trouble;
part the hair on one side, or conceal the sex
of his head with a fire helmet, and at once
he's a man. Pat a harp9and a halo and a
palm branch in the left hand to symbolize a
part of what Adam did for us, and leave the
fire-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 infamy be allowed to go on, or
shall it stop righthere?
"Is it but a question of finance? Behold
the inclosed (paid bank) checks. Use them
as freely as they are freely contributed.
Heaven knows 1 would there was a ton of
them; 1 W ouid send them all to you, for my
heart is in this sublime work! S. L. c."