National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-07-10
NAMING nus on us.
A Frenchman's Sarcasm Generating
American stlnginess in Regard TO
tho Grent Rtnimn.

the Great Statue.
Ec,u FORK Commercial Advertiser.
NJ. Louis Leroy has written in Chdrirdri
on tho subject of tho Bartholdi statue in
rather an amusing strain. He says that
although Gen. Grant, who was president
OF tho United States in 1871, addressed
the emperor ofGormsny letter Of sincere
congratulation soon aftor tho war upon
tho brilliant way in which he had con-
Quoted IL and brought IL TO close by
dothroning Napoleon III, and soizing
two French provinces, yet this unfriondly
feeling on tho part of sister republic
had not caused tho French to show any
resentment. They had continued to
wish prosperity TO the United State, aud
in proof of their regard had offered them
colossal bronze statuc--Liberty En-
Hghtonod the World.
IL was thought that tho slight differ
encos between friends could be smoothcd
over by so,appropriate present. Nj. Bar
| tholdi, sculptor Of approved merit, was
selected to carry out tho wishes Of the
| subscribers to work of art of so great
importance. To-day this work Is happily
finished. According to general opinion
this colossal statue, unique ia tho world,
In tho nose of which two or three persons
are able TO move about Mt ease, IL q grand
monument Of tho artistic skill and ability
Of our time.
We have left, no says, to tho care of our
| American brothers the construction of u
proper pedestal for this statuo--n mere
trlde In comparison with tho Importance
of tho figure which it is intended to sup
port. ~
But the Americans exhibit the coldness
of desolation in doing their share of tho
work. The subscription is far from be-
ing covered. They lay down millions at
the feet Of ballet girls and the diyas Of
comic operas, and they are not able to de-
eide upon furnishing the foundation Of
tho pedestal. Let US geo. 1t only needs
little courage on the part Of that devil,
tho pocket. Once put the statue in
place, and DO assured that you will be
quito satisfied with tho effect.
Perhaps your hesitation proceeds from
tho difficulty of demanding Of us tho 30
per cent. OF customs dues which you have
: imposed upon works ofart Of French pro-
/ duction?
oh If that Ia all, VIC will pay tho Gus
toms dues. But If only the dollars which
, you hold so dear to your heart had the
! power of speech. they would themselves
4
, construct the pedestal.
i 1t Is very comical that Americans should
pay so dear for the warblingB Of Patti
and show this parsimony with respect to
a statue of Liberty Enlightoning the
World. Do then as she does, ungrateful
sons. Enlighten US.
DO not DO embarrassed by the sympathy
of Grant with the Prussian arms. We
only wish well to that excellent general
and are perfectly reconciled with him.
: Our government has associated itseli
with the subscribers to the statue, and
= has courteously placed q man of-war n
|. their disposal to transport tho gift across
; the Atlantic. II, however. you hav,
+ placed obstacles In the way of its reception
= it might be we'll not to send it to you OF
9 all.
9 And here is IN idea! Suppose the good fe
4 male should remain in France? Do you moi
. know that she would appear as well upoI
d the piers Of Havre as OF the bay of Nov
u York? She would thon enlighten Franc
" " instead of America, and we should be al
II the better for it. On reflection, IL is
,r very foolish thing to wish to impose gif
T. upon those who are unwilling to receive IL
Take my advice, brave Yankees, ant
refuse the gift. 1t is such mass of meta
:, that it would never DO able to pirouett
- like o ballet dancer. You saluted tn
~ debarkntion Of Fanny Ellsler with salvo
~ of artillery; but this grand dame Libert
:, :, is 80 deaf that you need not do so niue
" for her. .lu
q. Let her stay here and you are promise
r an exceptional festival. We know q
q much of liberty as yourselves, and W
10 have IN artistic aptitude which abso
lutely fails with you. Youry young paint
tiers know something Of 1t since the.
~ come In crowds to sit at the feet c
10 French masters. You may retain tn
!. foundations of the pedestal and we vii
If keep the bronze.
e But never forgetting our courtesy tn
10 few American subscribers to tho podesta
re shall DO favored with invitations, and
q will DO raro feast to listen to tn
: speeches which will be delivered ON tn
;. day when, in old France, there will b
unveiled liberty which young Americ
did not want.