Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-10-28

of Jefferson. Near the beginning of Jack
sons administration IN 1929 he thought
it would be a commendable act to perpet-
uate to the people of the United States,
through congress, heroic bronze statue
of Jefferson, the father of democracy.
He sailed for Paris, gave the commission
to Davit, then in this greatest glory as
sculptor of renowr, and told him not to
spare time, expense, or study IN produc-
ing statue worthy of the name of Jeffer-
son and of the fame Of the sculptor. In
1888 it was finished and shipped to Wash
ington. Jackson recommended its accept
ance by congress, but it being a whig
body that honor was absolutely refused.
It made Old Hickory very angry to find
partisan hatred vented on a work Of art
and because it represented Jefferson.
Moreover, the sculptor had presented his
subject as just having signed the perfect
draft OF the Declaration of Independence,
every word of which was in large from
and could easily be read if the statue was
on a pedestal indoors. No! Congress
would not allow it inside the capitol, and
President Jackson ordered it put on
pedestal in front of the white house, in
the center Of the semicircle along
Pennsylvania avenue. It was in an
inaccessible place and too far from the
avenue to see It's be auty of finish and ex-
cellence in likeness. Besides, the artist
supposed it was to be indoors, and made
no provisions for the casting of statue
to be exposed to all kinds of weather,
year in and year out. There 1t stood for
nearly forty years, greener in color than
the grass about it, and so disguised by
corrOding that no one knew who the soil
tary man was, sentenced to watch the
daily procession of clerks going to and
from the old war and navy departments.
When Gen. BabcOck became superinten
dent Of public Buildings and grounds he
discovered the rare beauty Of the long
neglected statue, and had it removed to
a high pedestal just east of the white
house, where it could be seen to some
advantage. Here again its value was
noticed, and Mr.. Hoar, of Massachusetts,
and it was shame to expose SO valuable
and creditable a work of art to the open
air. So fully forty years after it he'd been
snubbed by congress, republicans and
democrats were proud to ask Mr.. Jeffer-
son in out Of the cold, inhosp1table at
mosphere of the capital Of his country,
and they gave him the place of honor in
the old hall of the house of representa-
now shines for all. Guides who daily con-
duct strangers through the capitol say
that Davids statue of Jefferson is the one
particular statue of the twenty-five about
the building that they look at longest and
praise the most.
In 1864 congress, DESTROYS of perpetu-
ating the historic associations of the old
hall of the house, authorized the presi-
dent to invite each state to furnish
statues in marble or bronze, not exceed
ing two for each state, Of deceased per-
sons illustrious for their historic renown
or for distinguished civic or military ser
vice, as the statue determined worthy of
national commemOration. The first state
to respond was Ohio, which presented a
heroic figure of James A. Garfield. The
statue of Jackson, in Lafayette square,
which cost $4,000. was ordered and paid
for by congress, as were the fine marble
statues of Jefferson, Lincoln and Wash
ington. President Garfield is contribu-
ton from his state, and the most remark
able and distinguishing feature about it
Is the crown of laurel, the palms of vic
| tory, and the cong aorer's sword. AS a
casting. in bronze, reposing at the base of
the statue, 1t attracts far more attention
than the statue itself. Maine has given
but one statue as Yet-that of William
King, its first gOvernOr,-a genteellook-
ing man in frock coat and finely-chis-
eled features. New Hampshire has con-
tributed nothing. Vermont has given
Ethan Allen and Jacob Collamer, dis
tinguished senator. Massachusetts,, Gov.
Winthrop and Samuel Adams. Rhode
Isladd, Roger Williams and Gen. Greene.
Connecticut, Jonathan Trumbull and
Roger Sherman. New York, Chancellor
Livingston and George Clinton. Penn
sylvania, Robert Fulton and Gov. Mullen
berg.
One of the peculiar traits shown by
visitors is the Unsuitable desire to break
off something to carry away. The big
toe of the Father of his country has been
knocked off by some vandal. Lincoln
has had his foreinger broken off. The
symbolical groups about the main door
have had the feet ana hands of the statu-
airy mutilated. A sculptor here in Wash
ington is usually employed to restore the
broken part, and the service has always
paid him well. The next addition of a
public nature will be when congrers pro-
vides for a historical group, including
Lafayette, Columbus and Grant. It is
proposed to erect them in the great circle
at the western base of the capitol, remove
the Peace monument to some more suit
able place, and have ornaments in its
place not so suggestive of weeping will
lows and cemetery sepulchers..