Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-03-05
BARON DE KALB.
a Commemorative statue by SounG
Baltimore Artist.


Rome Letter Ia PGrts Rcgister.
Justice is tardy sometimes. In the
month OF October, 1880, the Continental
Congress Of America passed resolution
ordering a monument to be erected at
Annapolis, Md, 10 honor OF Baron De
kalb, the distinguished General who
crossed the ocean with Lafayette to par
ticipate IN the heroic struggle then tax
ing place IN defense OF human liberty
This occurred just two months after
the death Of the gallant friend OF Ameri-
can Independence who fell at the bat
tie OF Camden, 5. c.. at which place bis
ashes now rest. Yet, during the 100
Years that have since passed, 10 does not
seem 10 have occurred to any member OF
/ Congress, even IN the most prosperous
days Of the great republic, until recently,
that il would be wise and grateful
thing TO do, to ask for an appropriation to
carry out the wishes Of the generation
dead and gone. VINO realized more keenly
than we can do, the herOlsm and self
sacrifice necessary for one to lay down
his lite IN defense Of the cause OF a
stranger people. Indeed, IL would not be
difficult to believe that, IN these latter
days OF political iobbery and corruption,
the very name OF Do Kalb, which should
be engraved in the memory OF every Amer
lean schO0lbOy. has passed in measure
from DUbic vision, and that it eX-
lists only as n sort Of misty remembrance
OF the purer age OF the past. II would
seem That among the many thousands OF
dollars wasted on aOOrtiYe statues Of Linz
coin and Farragut. not TO mention the
numerous w aShingtOns and JacksOns, 80
unHisely iutrusted to inferior hands,
there might long ago have been found a
sum equal to the occasion OF perpetuatlng
the memory OF the man who left his bone
and mis- kindred, and died that America
night be free. 1t has come. however, at
last, and the figure that represents De
Kalb in the act Of rallying panicstricken
force 10 save the day at Camden is COM
plete, except the formal process Of cast
ing in bronze, and has been on exhibition
In Rome during the past week. 1t is of
colossal size, and is in action and express
sion spirited and satlsfac Tory work Of
art. The General Is shown as stepping
forward, his right foot resting upon n
hill0ck. The entire body inelines for
ward, while the head is turned towards
the left, in the direction of the confused
patriot forces, in the act of an impas-
stoned call to rally to his support. His
sword is waved alOft and gives express
sion to the entire movement. The
moment chosen is historically
great one, and the sculptor has
Eeuu6T6i u wen. II IS Lllt WDi h Oh MI H.
keyseT, young Baltimore artist, VINO in
this, his last monumental effort, has DEM
Onstrated his talent and his capacity IN
the larger fields of his profession. 1t is
gratifying to know that the wishes OF the
Continental Congress are at last being car
ried out, that the result will add one more
TO the creditable monuments that have
been erected in America, and are not,
like some of the monstrOus creations un-
der the name of art, an eyesore for future
generations.
Toe inscription upon the pedestal IS to
be also in bronze, and is literally that
chosen by the Continental Congress at
the time the resolution was passed. 1t is
as follows:
'sacred to the memory of the Baron de
halb, Knight Of the Royal Order of Mill
tary Merit, Brigadier of the armies of
France and Major General in the service
OF the United States of America. Hav-
ing served with honor and reputation for
three years, he gave last and glorious
proof OF his attachment to the liberties of
mankind and the cause Of America, in
the action near Camden, South Carolina,
on the sixteenth of August, seventeen
troops Of the Maryland and Delaware
lines against superior numbers, and ami
mating them by his example to deeds of
ValOr, he was pierced with many wounds,
and on the nineteenth following expired,
in the forty-eighth yesr of his age.
"Fhe Congress OF the United States of
America, in gratitude to his zeal, service
and merit, have erected this monument"