Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-21

PARIS, March 2O.-M. Bartholdi, the
designer of the Statue of Liberty, was
visited by correspondent OF the New York
World, who told him of the order relating
to the use to which it is proposed to put
Liberty Island.
"The plan," he said, sis monstrous one.
1 always hoped that Americans would see
the splendid use that is to be made of that
island as l see it, namely, to turn it into
Pantheon for New York City, and by that
reason for the whole United States. That
is what it is clearly destined to be-a shrine
of the histories and glories of the United
States, serving the same purpose as West
minister Abbey for England, the Pantheon
for France, the Acropolia for Athens, the
Pincio and the Capitol for Rome. 1t should
be kind of ideal resort where should be
kept alive the memories of all that is glori-
Gus in the history and geography of the
United States.
THE DESIGNERS IDEA.
Thus around the base of the Statue of
Liberty there should be grouped en-
blematic statues of the United States of
America. In different parts of the island,
laid out like Greek grove, the statues OF
all the heroes of America should be placed.
There should be statues of all the great men
who have made America what she is, so
that people going there would find them
selves transported into kind of American
Walhalla.
"No more beautiful setting for such a
park as 1 have in nv minds eve could be
found than in the harbor of New York.
which springs out against the background of
the island with all its hustle and traffic of
modern life. Amid its solemn, reverent
silence would be this ideal home Of the great
glories of America.
1.-THE people of America do not sufficiently
take into consideration what a great part
an ideal plays in the happiness of a nation.
In Liberty Island, by its situation, the
Americans have spot unique in the world
for the home of temple to the glorifeation
of their wonderful nationality and the ideal
ization of the strong poetry of their race.
AN UNPARALLELED WORK.
''For the American race has a poetry Of
its own, which few, the Americans least of
all, see-poetry in the cohesion into one
mighty mass of elements so widely diverse,
poetry IN the work they have achieved in
the creation of a nation-a work unpar-
alleled in the history of the world.
"All other nations have grown up in the
places of their birth, whereas the Ameri-
can people has formed itself into nation
on foreign soil. 1 say that Liberty Island
is obviously destined to be made into a
pleasure ground for the soul Of the Ameri-
can people, place of pilgrimage for citi-
zens of the whole nation, a national
museum of the glories and memories of the
United States. There are no museums in
America such as we have in Europe in dit
ferent towns. Certainly there are buildings
Al 6 al Ill.
treasures have been brought together, but
not one of these has Its distinctive or na-
tional character.
such character would be possessed in
an eminent degree by Liberty Island if it
were transformed into what I had always
hoped to see it transformed. 1t should be
preserved as a precious jewel and be the
park, promenade and pilgrimage of the Ma
tion. Thus transformed it would be to the
people approaching Amortization whatever
NAV be said or done of New York City will
always remain the portal for us-the expla-
nation of the glories of the land they are
visiting and the presentment Of its glorious
history.
DOWNRIGHT DESIGNATION.
every chapter in its magnificent history
of the War of Independence would have its
memorials here, set in the midst of the
movement of the great modern city. All
this will tell you how bitterly shall be
disappointed if the monstrous plan of trans
forming Liberty Island into landing place
for immigrants is carried out.
"But what can be the meaning of this?
What idea can have inspired the originators
of this absurd scheme? Is it by way of
placing under the protection of the persona
fcation OF American liberty the victims of
European tyrannies on their first arrival on
the shores ofthe New World? Is it hoped
that the torch of the statue will
purify them of their Old World evils?
1 am lost in conjectures as to what
the reason of this plan can be. do not see
the slightest necessity FOR such a step in the
first place. Could not Governors Island be
chosen for an immigrant landing
station. Or if not Governors Island, there
are scores of spots close by which could be
used for the purpose.
81 consider that to turn Liberty Island to
such use is downright desecration, and the
throwing away of one of the best chances
America has for her own glorifcation BY
of this ideal National