Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-03-28

L
THE WESTERN PORTION OF TIE
CITY FOR AN EQUESTRIAN
STATUE.
John Dunlop, ESQ.,, attorney ct law +;
In reply to your letter received few
days ago asking my opinion IS to
site for the contemplated Lee monu-
ment, regret to say that ! think It
premature to decide on that question at
this time.
The city has numerous good sites,
such as Libby Hill, CANDLES Hill,
Monroe Park. the Reservoir Park, &C.,
any one of which will be gladly given
by the city when we are prepared to
erect the monument.
The Washington monument cost, |
am informed, $500, 900. Either Of the
two models which received the first and
second prizes from the Lee committee
will cost at least $3.50, 900 to carry out
its design properly. At present the
Lee committees have, / believe, $751;
coo. 1t is, | think, therefore, prema-
| ture 10 decide on a site.
must acknowledge that have long
thought that the verdict Of posterity
with regard to General Lee will be that
of Professor Long in his note to his
translation Of 1.-The Thoughts Of Mar
Gus Aurelius regarding Robert Z.
Lee as :" him who led the Confederate
armies against the powerful invader,
and retired from an unequal contest de-
feated but not dishonored; the noble
ViIginian soldier, whose talents and
virtues place him by the side Of the best
and wisest man who sat on the throne
Of the Imperial CAESARS {:
| Vfcfrf1 cdu,a DIS pIGcui. sed rictd catoni "
do not think that victory Gro owning
the warrior on a prancing horse repre-
sents either the verdict Of posterity or
what would have been the wish of Gen.
eral Robert f. Lee as to his monument.
| should prefer seeing his command
| ing figure on column like that OF Ma.
poleon in the Place Vendome, overlook.
ing from Libby Hill his long lines which
he so long and so ably defended. Such
column would be seen by every one,
and would also be handed down to pos
terity without fear Of injury.
II, however, an equestrian statue be
determined on, with numerous allegori-
cal figures, then it must be placed 10
the western portion Of the city for we
must remember that a monument is
gift Of the present to the future in men,
DRY Of the past; and elaborate mOnu-
ments placed on sites whence the city
is receding soon become mutilated,
either by curiosity-seekers or boys
making them targets for their sports.
| This is the observation Of all travellers.
and we should expect for Richmond a
future as long as the past Of most Eu-
ropean cities. A high granite or bronze
column may be placed anywhere, as it
will protect itself, but an elaborate
monument with numerous figures and
designs should be always under the
protection Of the public, unless we have
soldiers stationed to guard them, as in
Europe. trust the day is far in the
future before we shall require soldier
TO guard a soldiers monument.
GENERAL WICRHAM'S VIEW.
General Williams c. Wickham, Sc
cond yice-president Of the Chesapeake
and Ohio Railway Company: In the
fewest words possible | beg leave to
say to you that it strikes me that the
city square on Libby Hill, placing the
monument and statue in full view Of
the line Of Main street, and at the same
time Of the river and OF the railroads
that come into the city crossing the
James river, is in my Judgment unques-
tionably the best location in the city Of
Richmond for the monument.
GOVERNOR LEE.
II is known that the Governor Is
strongly opposed to the Libby-Hill site.
lie says that We don't want monument
that can be seen long way out Of the
city, but one that is accessible and can
be reached easily within the city that
the funds of the monument were con-
tributed by persons in various locali-
ties. and that if the State is expected
to DO any thing it must have some voice
in the selection of site as well as city
officials that personally he thinks the
south front Of the Capitol, where Craw-
ford the sculptor wanted to place his
Washington statue or Monroe Square 4;
or the extension Of Franklin street be-
yond the Baptist College. and have the
extended street circle around the mon.
ument; or out where the main drive
from the reservoir crosses the SOL
diers Home " road, where it would
overlook the " Home" Of his old sol.
diers, would all be much-preferable sites.
lie thinks By taking the fence away
from Monroe Park and making a car
rioge-way through it and calling it Lee
Park ali the conditions would be realized.
At any rate, someg here out in the To-
cality where the city is growing, and
where persons on the fayorite rides and
dives can see it in going to and return
ing from other points of interest, is I'M
questionably the place for the site Of a
monument to Robert T.. Lee.
THE CITY ENGINEER.
The City Engineer, Colonel W. Z.
Cutshaw, who was gallant artillery
officer under Lee, and who is a man Of !
conspicuous ability in his profession and |
is thoroughly conversant with the city |
and every site proposed, and who has
given the subject years Of thought, il
in favor Of Libby Hill.
Messrs. W. l.. Sheppard and John
Elder. the well-known artists, are said
TO concur with him.
THE PLACE FOR THE MONUMENT.
Captain o. S. Allen, Of the Stuart
Horse Guard No better situation could
be obtained than at the head Of Frank
lin street. There is a prospect of the
street being opened, and place similar
10 Monument place in Baltimore being
laid out. Should this be done, where
is a situation to compare with it:
THE MEDICAL COLLEGE.
Ind OF tie Forty -Eighth session-Com-
Dieuceineuf df.