The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-11-08
COLUMBUS STATUE.
Continued From Page 1.

splritedness of the residents of Elmwood.
and tIat this statue was u
homs production made In the
great workshop so close at hand. While
the statue certainly gives delight. the
question comes. "Does 1t pay to set up
this statue ?" for this Is an utilItarian
o The statue Will not produce food
Srlighten the taxes or help In material
gain.
There is. however, here we'll defined
utility. AS u work of art this statue will
have usefulness. IL will minister to he
love of the beautiful, which rennes
aud exalts human nature The we'll
known teudencits OF art are to broaden
aud refresh the mind. It Is often said,
and with truth. that art cannot prroduc,
viriue Athens degenerated at a time
when art had done all TO make it beauti-
ful; Florence lost her liberties for CEN
turies though Brunelleschis' lofty dome
stood above a degenerate people. Art.
however. helps 20 the desired results and
has moral value under certain defined
conditions.
What Ruskin says.
Mr.. Ruskin says: "Art Will not get your
county clean or make your people lovely"
it's presence. In yonder park stands the
statue OF the founder of this common
wealth. In the business part of the
city stands the monuments OF General
Burnside and Mayor Doyle and there are
still others to b. appraised. Oae in par
ticular. true patriot. an able comman-
der, man whose talents aud services
were conspicuous in the war OF the
revolution. who seeems most deserving
OF the outward memorial Can there be
any longer delay in the recognition OF the
trusted friend OF Washington Will not
public spirit and patriotic feeling unite
In speedily providing noble statue of
General Nathaniel Creme?
The statue of Columbus has value be-
cause it represents noble personality.
ltdoes not claim to be an authentic model.
lt represents real person. I'm.
perishable is the interest that
clusters about the names which consti-
tute the shining points in the worlds
history. Ia this lu ninous list the name
OF Columbus Is conspicuous. The most
discriminating history commends his
work.
A Review OF Character.
There are two things to keep upper
most in a review Of the character and CT
reer OF Columbus. First, he Was man
OF fsith; second. he was a man who
did something worthy Of commemora-
tion. There is no question as to his de-
vout feeling and ardent faith. He
obeyed what seemed a call from above
when he undertook his mission of
discovering new world. He had faith
in the uniyerse. There is no neef to
claim that Columbus was the first bold
navigator TO sail westward over the seas.
Give credit where credit Is due. None the
less ia the achievement Of Columbus Of
significance. The work OF Winthrop and
Williams, and Washington and Lincoln
has gone into building aud compacting
the republic.
Ever TO the Wes," was the appeal of
voice that made itsslf heard in the soul
of the brave mariner as he was sailing
over unknown wal ers to the new world.
Ever to the West" he held hi course un-
I'll his faith was justified by the sight Of
land. Ever forward Is he legend that
seems 10 be reflected from this Col
umbus statuel Toward in abe
earnest search af er wisdom and
truth; forward in all noble service for
humanity; forward with christian hope
fulness To the undiscovered land of The
immortals-to God and to heaveni
This address was followed by the sing
ing of "Americ," aud music by Reeves
American band. A reception aud
banquet was then rendered to
invited guests at the Elmwood club
house. and thus closed exercises memoir
able Oh account OF the significance Of the
statue itself as well as on nc ,ount OF the
generosity of the citizens in donating
such a noble gift to this city.