New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-05-31
THE BARTHOLDI PAPERS.

NJ. Bartholdi contributes most interesting
article ON the fourth page OF to-days ISSUE;
It ia O complete history of the colossal
statue, which is soon to arrive In New
York harbor from ROuen. 1t IS divided
into three sections: an historical sketch OF the
work of the French American Union; crlticai
paper on colossal sculpture and its principal ex
amples; and description of the statue itself
and the mechanical difficulties of its construc-
ton. It is q mastery account of one OF the
morvels of the modern world 1t is prepared as
a labor of love by the designer OF unique
monument without a parallel in the history OF
Nations and it will be read with sympathetic
Measure and apprecative intelligence by thou
sands of Americans who have already learned
to speak of NJ. Bartholdi with the same feeilnSs
of affection and respect with which Laiayetue
was regarded by their ancestors hundred
years ago. If anything were needed to lmpart
phenomenal importance to this HISTORICAL
account of q great work by the creative genius
most competent to describe it, it would be sup
plied by the fac-simile Of the last words Victor
Hugo ever wrote. He who denounced the
execution of John Brown as an outrage upon
humanity and civilization was one OF the SIN
cerest friends America ever had in Europe. III
will be one of the noblest "reminiscences anke
of his genius and his ardent love of liberty that
the last lines falling from his pen were an
epigram inspired by this monument of Liberty
Enlightening the World.
The simplicity and modesty with which Nj.
Bartholdi describes the origin OF the grand con-
ception which is SO soon to be brought before
the eyes of Americans in the colossal proper
tions of Liberty are characteristic. OF the man.
To NJ. Laboulaye no accOrds the honor OF
originating the idea of the monument IN table
talk with intimate friends twenty years ago.
Six years afterward he was encouraged by the
same generous patron to visit America and to
give definite form to what was then only
vague dream of few noble souls The first
enchanting glimpse which he had of Ncw-fork
Bay furnished all the inspiration required. The
marvellous picture Of restful natural beauty
and of the throbbing life of the New World that
met his eyes had vacant space which his I'M
agination filed with the Statue of Liberty.
When he landed he was conscious that he had
found the idea which his friends had hoped for.
The beat years of his life have been spent
consecratcd is his word-in Interpreting that
idea and in bringing thereby into closer fellow
ship two Republics bound together by historical
ties and fraternity of feeling. "The statue" nc
exclaims with fine feeling, "was born for this
place which inspired its conception AT the
same time he cautions imaginative Americans
not to be disappointed when they first see 1t IN
its proper place, since it will not appear
colossal but will have the normal aspect of
statue in a public place. 1t will simply take Its
rightful place in the grand prospect OF the New
World at the portals of which it is to stand-a
benignant presence.
Victor Hugo's epigram is Characteristic ex-
preston of the obligations under which both
countries have been placed by NJ. BaTtholdl.
u The form of the statue is everything and II Is
nothing. 1t is nothing without the spirit, IL Is
| everything with the idea" The gift OF one
| liberty -loving republic to another could take
only one form-the figure. OF Liberty That
flaming torch appraised before the threshold OF
| the New World would symbolic for all time
the enlightenment of freedom in peace-lovng
and law-abidng States. 1t was n grand
thought which captivated the French mind,
always hospitable to inspiring conceptions; and
the impressive proportions Of the project
touched the imaginative genius of the Gallo
race The form would have been nothing If
the spirit Of liberty had not inspired the
alliance of century ago; if the French volun-
teers. rs NJ. Laboulaye said, had not fought in
America for principles which they hoped would
prevail in their own country and throughout
the world The form Is everything because the
figure rising in New York Harbor will not only
commemorate the generous aid received by n
struggling people from a sympathetic nation
but will also attest the dignity of republican
institutions the prosperity of industrial States,
and the pacific destiny OF democracy through
out the world.