Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-01-26

large and influential number-have
determined to erect Confederate
monument, something that was done
at Elmwood Cemetery, near Mem
phis, several years ago. The means
can no doubt be raised to secure a
monument that will be creditable to
the taste and public spirit of Nash
vile, and will be regarded with pride
by all who respect the memory and the
Valor Of Tennesse's fallen heroes. But
a trouble has arisen more serious than
the raising of money, deciding upon a
plan and writing an epitaph. These
things can all be done properly in good
time, but the question is where to
place the monument. Some urge that
it should be in Mount 0livett Gem
etery, others that it should be placed
on the site known as Fort Negley
and large number insist that it shall
be erected on the Capitol grounds in
the vicinity Of Jackson's equestrian
statue. This is a local question. yet
it concerns the whole State, because
Nashville is the capital and is visited
every year by people from every
county in the State and by citizens
from nearly every State in the Union.
Without taking sides at all,
we may say that the selection
of location is very important mat
ter requiring nice judgment aUd a re.
gard for the proprieties and ultimate
effect of the situation. If it is simply
monument to those who fell around
Nashville or died in the hospitals, it
should be placed where the most OF
them are buried. If it is to typif5
the part that Tennessee took
as a State, then it should
be placed in the grounds near
the capitol; but if the monument
is intended only to represent the ab
stract idea of Confederate valor, il
should be placed wherever it will
show off to best advantage, and bf
most accessible, keeping in mind, Of
course, the future growth of the city
There is.no particular rule or law tC
govern in such case. IL
the city of Edinburgh there
! ia SQUARE on Princess street
set apart for monuments to the great
dead of Scotland. There is a grand
and dazzling monumont to Sir Walter
Scott, then a plain one to Burns, 6
new one to Livingstone, the explorer,
and SO on through an illustrious list
Yet the most beautiful aud expressive
monument in the city is aome
ten minutes walk west, il
a quiet little place dedicated
to the memory Of Prince Albert.
Nothing more exquisite in sculpture
and bas relief can be found in Greal
Britain. Yet many tourists spend
daysin the rare old city aud never see
or hear oft. This Is new country
10 which we are just beginning TO cree
monuments that commemorate great
historic events. What little we hav,
in this line should, perhaps, be dis
played to as good advantage as possibl
Topography and atmospheric effects
are to be taken into sccauntas wei
as the poetry Of symbolism and his
tOric accuracy. In Pbeuix Park
Dublin, the statue OF Wellington fai
| above life size stands on a cOlossa
shaft, as Il ta esy there is not room
for another in all this vide space. II
London Lord Nelson's monument
stands graudly alone in the center o
Trafalgar Square. But as the Ten
Ressee monument is to be erected il
honor Of an ides aEd g class rathe
than Of any one man OF event, v,
cannot help little partiality to tn,
Capitol grounds as a site, this being
central, elevated and historic poin'
and the Mecca Of all who visit tn
capital on any account