The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-06-11
A DREAM OF MONUMENTS.
WHEREIN MEMPHIS is DEFICIENT
IN ATTRACTION.
Comparison With Other Cities Which
Have Honored Some Favored Son
and Themselves-Court Square and
the Forrest Movement.

Some indiscrcet writer has said that "a
city without monuments is city without
a history"
This writer could never have known our
own beloved Memphis, for, without n
single monument or shaft within its
boundaries, it has history which is writ
ten in the language of despair, and pres
ent which is outrivaling all rivals
The change for the better now going on
in the improvement OF Court square, in
the laying Of granite CURLING and side
walks, naturally suggests TO the crowds
who stand by and watch the process the
question: Is this the initial step toward
improving and identifying the city? 1t
finds ready acquicsconce with all people,
and many who have hitherto held close
their purse strings would willingly loosen
them II some practical results would follow
Many stranger has stood around the
beautiful fountain in the square and read
the names OF the generous donors TO the
first public ornament erected in the city.
1t is not intended to include the dis
reputable bust of "0ld Hickory" which
has so long disiigured the square in various
localities.
The city has had more gifts thrust upon
1t, without taking advantage OF them, than
any town OF its size in the country. Free
libraries, free statues and free improve
ments have been ignored with a nonchal-
ance that would suggest the groundless
need OF such ornaments. But now that a
note has been struck, IL is possible that a
series OF them may follow, and Memphis
may yet be proud Of its monumental
adornments. To any one who has visited
Baltimore, New York and Boston, the
strong impression which It's noble and
handsome monuments make must still be
remembered. Boston, with its Bunker
Hill, will always be Mecca TO New Eng
landcrs, and New York patriotism will
never fade while the statucso OF Liberty, Lin
coin and Seward are within its boundaries.
IL has not been many years since the
proposition TO erect a statue 10 Gen. For
rest, in this city, was hailed by the press
and public with unanimous voice. A
few short months, the idea iickcred,
waned and persisted for lack OF interest, in
spite OF numerous voluntary contributions.
Did not the Nash library scheme suffer a
similar fate?
II is unjust to say that Memphians only
contribute when u profitable return Is In
prospect, for numerous occasions, when
generosity has been exercised, have pre-
scented themselves. But with outsiders,
who know the city by its history and APP
pearance, the harsher judgment will pre-
vail. In comparison with most southern
cities, the poverty in adornment is pain
fully apparent. The history OF the beau
tiful and tropical New Orleans is woven
about the heroic statues Of Jackson and
Clay. Her noble and towering Lee monu-
ment is the expression OF her admiration
for the able defender Of the lost cause
Savannah's shaded avenues are the result
Of city's pride in her own beauty and
stately memorials in marble work, her de-
votion to the dead. Charleston has hon
orcd the glorious son Of South Carolina,
John @. Calhoun, with an imposing statue
Atlanta has made Georgia's gifted states.
man, Ben. III. Hill, immortal by erecting
an heroic figure on the most beautiful oI
its thoroughfancs. IL II needless 20 multi
ply the examples which should make con
scious Memphians blush for their lack Of
interest.
The little expense necessary 10 give
/ Court square its walks and curbing will he
worth 100 per cent in giving the vicinity
n metropolitan aspect. The monumental
dream may be a long time In iullillment,
/ but ito him who waits all Things come. F"
The idea Of Forests monument should
/ be revived and worked 10 favorable re-
suit. II Is not necessary 10 suggest more
/ than one at time, for II that one be com.
plc,ed, the glory OF is will have been suf-
/ ticient.