Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-03-08

A silent shan That Fails Of Its Pur-
pose-ReporT Of Committee 20 ths
rnu--sn rEssal.-sl..E Sr.asass-

A silent shan That Fails Of Its Pur-
pose-Repor1 Of Committee TO the
Georgia Historical Society
At the meeting Of the Georgia Histori-
cal Society on Monday evening the follow
ing report was submitted in reference 70
the completion Of the monument 70 the
memory Of General Greene in johnson
square.
some two years ago a joint committee
from the Georgia Historical Society and
City Council vas created @ devise some
method or plan for the completion OF the
monument TO Gen. Nathaniel Greene, IN
johnson square. BY proper inscription.
To all visiting strangers and 70 the
large majority Of the inhabitants Of "a
vannah. whether native or foreign. the
commemorative purpose Of the mOnu-
ment IN johnson square has been
either unknown or matter q
unpleasant uncertainty: and. indeed had
il not been for the republication BY Mr. T.
j. Purse on the l2tn February last Of a
little pamphlet originally published IN
1s35 by a joint committee Of the City
Council and citizens. ITO rescue says the
preface from f0rgetfulness the anlmating
and interesting scenes in which most Of
US have been engaged" among which
was the laying Of the corner stone Of
monument in johnson square that Tor
getfulness would have been COM
plete. A monument without inscription
perpetuates nothing. Is not monument.
The monument in johnson square must
be torn down TO find substantial evidence
on its corner stone Of its intent.
This Corner Stone
Of a Monument
To the Memory Of
Major General Nathaniel Greene
Was laid by
General Lafayette
On the 21st March A. d. 1875.
At the request Of the citizens Of Savannah.
In contrast, the treatment and method
Of two other monuments is instructive.
At the base Of the northeast supporting
pier Of the great dome Of ST. PauFs Ca
thedral and OVershadOwed BY il, is a
magnificent and massive marble mOnu-
ment 10 the memory Of Charles Marquis
CORVALLIS, the great antagonist Of Cen
eral Greene, master Of the south in 1To1.
OutmanguFred, Outgeneraled and driven
from the CarOlinas in 1871. The inscrip-
tons upon this monument are abundant
and unmistakable and somewhat in this
style:
CHARLES MARQUIS CORVALLIS,
Victor at Camden. GuilfOrd, BangalOre,
Seringapatam and a dozen mOre)
Governor General Of India.
Yiceroy Of Ireland.
knight Companion Of the Garter.
Member Of His Majesty's PTivy Council.
ETC., etc. etc.
In Westminster Abbey is a costly mon
ument whose ample inscription does not
fail to fully perpetuate the virtues and
sad story Of Major Andre. And vet it was
Gen. Nathaniel Greene whose painful
duty il was to preside over the court mar
tel s..h
Where is the spot which holds the mortal
remains Of this republican hero and
patriot General: Even the monument in
Savannah, which was erected TO perpetu-
ate the memory Of the better deeds Of this
greater man. is silent, and fails Of its
purpose.
accompanying this report is a large
drawing Of the monument with accurate
measurements made By Mr.. John b.
Howard, together with certain added
lines TO show the manner and appearance
Of certain inscriptional and cOmmemOra-
tive bronze tablets. Ii will be seen that
upon the narrow faces Of the pedestal
east and west are two medallion OYals
in bronze, the western to he filed with
an alto relieve bust Of General Nathaniel
Greene: the eastern oval as an diverse.
being filed with an inscription as follows:
First. The corner stone inscription.
Second. Dates Of birth, death, nativity.
Third. saviour Of the SOUTH
HE commenced the Southern campaign
A. ID. 1850. without an army. provisions
or military stores, CORVALLIS holding the
entire country South. By the battle Of
COwpens. January, 1871. and the incred
ible retreat across the CarOlinas, Febru-
airy. 1871. succeeded BIZ the battle Of Gull
ford, March. 1871, CORVALLIS was COM
PEELED to abandon the South and attempt
junction AT Yorktown with Sir Henry
Clinton. The victory Of Eutaw Springs.
September. 1Is1. narrowed British control
Of the country To the city Of Charleston,
which was finally surrendered TO the VIC
tOriOus Greene. December IL. 1882.
Next 10 Washington. the ablest patriot
soldier Of the American Revolution"
Upon the broad face, north, might be a
large bronze base relieve scene Of the
retreat across the CarOlinas. say that
closing scene Of the crossing Of the turbu-
lent Lower Dan in wintry night by
the rear guard under Lee as described By
Headley in washington and his Gener-
ais" page 30. vol. ?.
Upon the broau face Of the pedestal
south might be a bronze base relieve Of
the most striking scene in the battle Of
Eutaw Springs, as described by Headley
in ''WashingtOn and his Generals" page
60. vol. ?.
Such method Of treatment Of the pc
destal would not be unusual. The Con-
federate monument Of granite in Charles
ton has been just completed in this style.
/ This method, moreover. recommends it.
self because it does not change in the
slightest degree the plan, symmetry or
proportions Of the present monument.
These brOnzes, further. are susceptible Of
the very highest style Of art without an
impossible extravaganza Of price. They
need not necessarily be finished at one
and the same time, but separately, as the
design may be adopted and the money OBJ
tanned, the Oyals being first completed.
At this moment Of revival Of interest in
the history of Savannah, and, indeed, of
the whole country. an energetic. commit
tee from this society might accomplish
much.