Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-01-24
Another Monument Wanted.

From TIE EVENING STAR, November :. 1855.
One the 18th day of October, 1892, will occur
the four hundredth anniversary Of the dis
covery by Christopher Columbus which ulti-
mately led to the settlement and civilization of
the western hemisphere and the establishment
of number of independent, prosperous and
progressive sovereignties. An event which
opened the door to such momentous results
ought to be fifty celebrated By all the coun-
tries which owe their existence primarily to
the faith, courage and perseverance of the
great discoverer, and, most of all, by the
United States, the greatest and freest, the most
enlightened and the most prosperous of the
splendid constellation.
While there can hardly be two opinions as to
the propriety of such a celebration, with a
special and fitting recognition of the browning
passage IN the career Of its central figure, there
will OF course be a diversity of views as to the
precise form a memorial observance of this
character should assume, and the details by
which it should be marked All must agree,
however, that to adequately symbolise and
properly perpetuate the sentiment which
prompts the proposed celebration. something
noble in conception and permanent in character
is necessary. Naturally the popular mind will
turn first to a monumental structure. OF some
form or other; and the voice of the country
could II ind expression. would doubtless favor
the erection at the national capital, by the d.
rect action OF Congress, of a sculptured group
which would portray the form and features OF
Columbus, and at the same time tell, through
the medium OF suitable emblematic accessories,
the story OF his marvellous voyage and its IN
matched outcome,-and the thought would
naturally follow, OF course, that the structure
should be completed and dedicated with due
ceremonial honors on the quadrennial anniver-
sary Of the event 1t Is designed TO commemo-
rate.
1t may and no doubt will be said that in the
matter of erecting monuments and statues the
country has of late years moved somewhat too
fast and with too little regard for the unitles of
art and history. This Is in q sense unfortu-
nately too true. But surely no one can pretend
that as a people We have been hasty in the
recognition of Columbus and his achievements
nor will any one be likely TO say that they should
not be recognized IN the most imposing and
enduring manner possible. In this respect the
United States appears at great disadvantage
when compared with other countries whose
obligation Is at least no greater. and whose
ability TO ttly express IL il certainly much less
The republic Of Mexico, for example, has
already erected IN her capital city a massive
and handsome scUlptured group in honor Of the
hardy and adventurous sailor. A bronze group
IN his honor adorns the port Of AspInwall il
the United States of Colombia The city OF his
birth has htly acknowledged the luster con-
ferred upon her by her iuustrious son in the
erection OF an elaborate and beautiful marble
statue, with subordinate figures, in one Of her
most prominent squares. Barcelona, where
Columbus made report Of his discoveries 70
his royal patrons. has also paid him suitable
honors by costly memorial structures. In other
cities in Italy and Spain, and in some also In
the new world, has his memory been similarly
honored, many Of the testimonials being
imposing and costly, other less striking and
expensive, but all conceived and executed in
the most liberal spirit Of graceful appreciation
Net the people of the United States have been
silent and idle all these years. Shall ii longer
be said to their shame, that they are too busy
with other things or too nigga-dly to properly
honor the memory Of the man to which so
much ID dueg
IL u possible that some other form of me-
mortal than that suggested above may be pre-
ferred- II so, well and good, so far as Tx
srAR Is concerned. 10 Is welded to no par
Ncular expression OF the idea underlying these
paragraphs. and has nothing to insist upon,
either IN regard to general design or details.
Its purpose Is simply to present the subject to
the public now, trusting To time and To the
patriotism and good TASTE Of the people Of the
United States to crystalise the thought into
suitable and substantial shape. Only, there is
no time to spare. Let this not be forgotten
Seven full years are none too long q period for
the conception and creation OF structure
Whatever form IL may take, which shall be
alike worthy the nation that erects it and the
event IL Is intended to commemorate. And II
ought to be understood. too, from the begin.
ming. that whatever Is built shall be no insig.
nireans or cheap trumpery affair. The thought
OF expense 10 the last one that should be tax en-
into consideration. The country is rich
enough, appreciatiye enough, it is to be hoped
and broad and liberal enough in its views &C
build, when IL pleases, such q structure as has
no parallel Of its kind in the world. And such
IN one il should build for dedication In 1892
An event so striking in itself and so pregnant
in effects upon the history Of the human race
can only be worthily perpetuated by as noble a
monument as the genius of man can conceive
and the wealth Of rich and generous nation
call into form.