Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-01-24
What the Country Should Do for Co
lumbus

formly mas the welfare of the national capital
a. well as of the whole country at heart that
any public measure proposed by him is enti-
tied TO the most respectful consideration, and
should be adversely criticised, whet in or ont
of Congress. with great difhdence. With full
realization of this, and of what is always due
to the honorable gentleman, The STAR yet can
not refrain from expressing the opinion that in
Offering, few weeks ago, his resolution to
provide for the erection and location Of q
bronze statue of Christopher Columbus in this
city, he has wholly failed to rise equal to the
requirements Of the parsonage and occasion
proposed TO be commemorated.
The simple effigy of any single individual,
however illustrious his character or however
splendid his achievements, is entirely made
quate to mark, as this is intended to mark, so
great a circumstance as the discovery of con-
tinent and the momentous events that have
followed that discovery; and the sum of fifty
thousand dollars, which the resolution appro-
pirates for the entire expense of executing The
statue and providing for its foundation and
pedestal, is only 1.-THE of the sum that popu-
lous. powerful, and prosperous nation like ours
ought to expend for such a purpose.
The erection of statue is at the very best
but an indifferent means Of doing honor to
great man. Statues are plenty, aud stand,
alas! as often for commonplace mediocrity and
obtrusive vanity as they do for the highest
qualities illustrated by human nature. But
little can be made of them at most. in an es-
thetic point Of view, and they possess a real
value only when the form and features of the
original are accurately portrayed. How far
short, then, must a mere efigy, fashioned &C.
cording to the fancy of the sculptor, or from
scant and conflicting data. fall short of doing
justice to the great discoverer whose name
must forever stand conspicuous in the record
of ali the ages.
Obviously, the most fitting form of honoring
the memory of SO great historical character
and his unmatched achievement is magniti-
cent colossal arch, constructed of enduring ma
terial, and enriched with sculptures and carved
panels, which would at once tell the story
sought to be told and illustrate the gratitude
and generosity of the American people.
creation like this. which ought to take many
years OF time and million dollars il need be-
is perhaps too much to hope for in this age of
utilitarianism and narrow legislation. But
nothing less ought to be accepted or thought of
in its stead than a massive and splendid monu-
mental structure, which, though less imposing
in appearance than an arch, and less formid-
able to time and cost, could be made, if
properly treated. hardly less significant and
expressive in the lesson to be conveyed. or
this structure Columbus should of course be
the chief and browning feature; but those who
held up his hands in his apparently hopeless
undertaking should not be overlooked. 1t
should furthermore be adorned with accessory
emblematic figures, representing, let us say,
Religion, Justice, Education, Faith, Courage,
Perseverance, Liberty, Labor, and Enterprise,
to each Of which the new world gave a new
meaning and an influence hitherto unknown:
and the romantic story of his trust and daring
and their far-reaching results should be told by
minor symbolic figures, and appropriate carv-
ipgs in relief or intagiio. Something like this
The STAR thinks ought to be set up in some
suitable place in the national capital Some
thing like this it is sure the country would not
only approve, but would demand, if an oppor-
tunity for the expression of opinion were af-
forded.
This proposition, 1t is proper to add here. is
no new fancy on the part Of The STAR. 1t ag-
itated the matter in the same spirit several
years ago, as viii be seen by the article re-
printed in another column from the issue of
the paper dated November 2, 1886.
And hardly less Objectionable than the statue
Mr.. Morrill, proposes to erect is the place chosen
for it BY. the terms of the resolution authoriz-
ing Its erection, ie-, the site now occupied by
the Peace Monument in the center of Pennsyl-
vania avenue, at the west front of the Capitol
grounds. That is not proper place for such
monument as Columbus and the Discovery
Of the New World should have, nor for anu
monument or statue. The Peace Monument
now there, and the Garfield statue occupying
a corresponding position in Maryland avenue.
should both be removed and those spaces left
open and clear, with nothing in or about them
TO interfere with the vista leading up to tho
magnificent capitol building itself, which must
always dominate and dwarf anything set up in
position to compel comparison. Perhaps the
most appropriate place for a cemeterial group
Like the Peace Monument would be in some
elevated but quiet spot in the grounds at Ar
hngton; and for the Garfield statue a far more
suitable place than its present site could easily
be found, whether considered on its own ac-
count or with a view to fitting surroundings
Buswhateyer disposition OF these groups might
Se regarded as wise, .neither Of them should be
allowed to remain where il now is
As for the proposed Columbus Monument
itself, perhaps the best place for a structure
such as 1t ought to be would be in the center of
the great circle in the park lying between the
Executive mansion and the Washington monu-
ment With suitable but slight elevation of
the ground leading up 10 its base, to be reached
by vell-paved but narrow and unobtrusive path
ways, this situation would be a worthy location
for such monument as its object demands.
and the monument itself would be worthy the
position accorded it
Another suggestion TIE STAR ventures 20
make, while on the subject OF location for mon
uments, statues, etc. 1t respectfully submits
that the proper place for the new monument
shortly TO be set up here in honor of La Fayette
and his eompatriots is the site now occupied by
the Jackson Statue, in La Fayette Square. Ex-
espt the Washington Monument the Lafayette
memorial will be the mos, imposing in the city,
as 1t will also be very much the finest in an ar
tissie point Of view. Aside, therefore, from the
obvious propriety OF placing it in the SQUARE
bearing the name Of the chief figure of the
group, the prominence and accessibility OF that
locality entitle it to a more important adorn-
ment that the statue now there, while the new
monument ought to have place commensurate
IN size, location and surroundings with its high
character as a work of art and the purpose il is
intended to serve.
As for the Jackson. II nightwell be transferred
20 Dupont Circle, rs o substitute for the stand
inn r.