Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-04-14
RoBERT r.. LEE,s MoNUMENT.
Characteristics ofthe Models Exhibited
at Richmond.
Prom the 4e,o York Herald

RIChMOND, ' A., A pEii OIL bueIe Is
one subject which nterestst he Southern
people more than another it is the cree
ton OF suitable monument to their be-
loved chieltain, Gen. Robert Edward Lee.
What they want is something simply life
like and worthy of the fame, name and
character OF Lee. All Richmond is now
visiting the Senate Chamber in the state
Capitol TO see the Lee monumental mod
els. 1t is understood that they We're
placed on exhibition there by the Lee
Monumental Association, in order to get
an expression of public opinion as to their
respective merits. If such is the case
then that object has been skillfuily accom-
phshed. The public is pretty free in say
ing what it thinks, and it is very clear
that 10 does not TANK much OF any OF the
designs. The models that received the
first and second prizes and the honorable
mention, respectively, at the w ashlngtOn
exhibition some weeks ago are the Nj
chaus, the Ezekiel and the LAM. OF these
perhaps the LAM conforms nearest to the
public idea here of what monument to
Lee ought to be. The architectural con
ception is more simple than that ofeither
OF the others; the horse is in some points
well drawn, and the pose OF the rider is
dignited and natural. The Ezekiel model
is commended for its pOrtly effects of the
scuiptural treatment upon the pedestal,
but this treatment is regarded as lacking
in appropriateness, and both his horse
and rider are failures.
THE LEE THEY WANT.
Touching the Nichaus design neither
his pedestal nor his equestrian group
meets with any appreciate amount of
favor. The truth is, the public consider
that any sculptor who essays TO repre-
| ft,u f,ots Ia, f
TepOse is bound to make a failure. Above
all things Gen. Lee was a man OF eminent
self-poise. You can meet men at every
turn in Richmond who saw him under
the most trying circumstances during the
war. and to them the suggestion OF Lee
on a rearing, charging, hammer-nOsed
horse is simply absurd. 1t then follows
that whatever might be the artistic eX-
oellence of a monument it would not be
acceptable to the Virginia people unless
it harmOnized with the simplicity aud
quiet self-possessiou they associate with
Lees character. or the three other mod
els exhibited the one that attracts most
favorable notice is that of Mr.. Colbert Il.
Firth. One reason OF this is that his
horse exhibits signs of blood" and if
there is anything that the average Nir-
giniau admires next to a pretty woman it
is thoroughbred horse.
AREMOTE CONTINGENCY.
Interviews with quite a number OF lGadf
ing Nirginians have ELECTED a variety o.
opinions regarding the building and loca-
ton of a monument to Lee. 1t 10 certain
that however much it is desired, there is
no immediate likelihood of the iayorite
project being carried into execution.
Neither model nor site has been determin-
ed upon, nor have any definite plans been
matured upon which any action can be
taken. The building OF the monument Is
therefore something yet very remote, In
order to set a clear view OF the entire sub
ject, your correspondent called upon the
Rev. DIR. l. William Jones, secretary of
the Southern Historical Society. DR..
Jones was formerly chaplain in the Army
of Northern Virginia, and Of WASHINGTON
Lee College when Gen. Lee WAS. its presi-
dent. tie is also the author or personal
"reminiscences and Anecdotes and Let
tiers of Lee"
''What is the prospect for building
the Lee monunentY DR.. Jones was
asked.
81 do not think that the funds in hand
are sufficient to justify the Ladies' Memo
rial Association in either selecting mod
ell or a site for the Lee monument. Ii
am correctly informed, their association
has about $21, 900 and the State Board
Composed of the Governor, the State
Treasurer and the Auditor about $3l 900,
and $52, 900 would be utterly Inadequate
for the purpose, even il the two funds
were united"
"Why can't they be?''
"The law would have to be changed.
suppose il will be. Under the present
law the funds of the State Board must be
expended for an equestrian statue to be
located on the Capitol square, and the de-
cit no galoUfaH Inv a hoard nj
missioners composed Of two members from
each of the late Confederate States. SO
this union cannot be effected until the
Legislature changes the law"
THE MODELS REJECTED.
''If the funds were ample would you
favor any OF the models now on exhibit
tion -
81 would not. Even If the necessary
funds were in hand l should regard it as
a great calamity to select either of the
models now on exhibition ia the Senate
Chamber. Net one OF them reaches or
apprOXimates the standard which should
be observed IN the selection Of model"
"What would you sugge5tY
eve want no ideal Lee. In form and
face he was one Of the noblest specimens
Of manhood the world ever saw. In char
acter he was simple, quiet, unOstenta-
tiOus, and that artist does not live who
could improve on Robert Edward Lee as
he was. | should regard that model as
the most complete success which should
so delineate the features, form and pos
ture of the great chieitain and his horse
that his old soldiers would exclaim with
one voice when they saw it, There is
Marse Robert on FraYeler'-the name OF
his old war horse"
"What model do you regard as the most
meritOriOusY'
Tine model Of DAM seems to me the
best of the three which won the prizes
and honorable mention But / confess
TO being at loss to discover on what
principles the committee decided either
Of them worthy OF the prize, or at all tit
10 be selected rs a model for a statue Of
Lee"
SPEAKING FROM EXPERIENCE.
81 suppose you knew the General well,
DoctorW
ayes, l did. 1t was my proud prlvi-
lege to see great deal Of our Old chief
tain, both during and after the war, and
l think ! may claim some familiarity with
his face form and carriage as he rode
along his lines or mingled among his sol
diers, or presided with matchless grace
In the college or at his home, and I am
quite sure that If had been usnered in 10
see these models without being told what
they were should not have had the most
remote idea that they were even intended
for Lee"
OVERw HELMING SENTIMENT.
you are quite severe on the artists,