The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-08-10

oughly stepped in an atmosphere of
politics and patriotism as is Richmond
with ths Confederate traditio ms.
From Chimperazo Park one can see
Fulton's Hill, the first point the Yanks
took when they made their final, trium.
phal entry into the Confederate capital.
The Confederate soldiers and sailors
monument is on Libby Hill overlooking
the whole picture Of the city, the river
and Belle Isle. 1t is tall round shaft
with square capital on top supporting
life size bronze figure in Confed crate
uniform.
Ny Jehu then drove me to the edge of
precipice at the end of street, from
which one had magnificent view of the
country in every direction for miles,
while the city's spires, mills and city
streets lay below. AS only pole across
that highway prevented spirited horse
from pluDging Himself and carriage
with its occupant into eternity by the
way Of that slope, l begged that descen-
dant of some great man with touch of
the mothers color following his cheeks,
to not tarry long in so dangerous
place. Even I. inveterate nature lover,
soon got sufficiency OF "view" at that
point.
If anybody should ask me what I
thought the most impressive thing to be
seen in Richmond. my reply would be,
the Confederate monument in Hollywood
Cemetery. 1t is pyramid of rough
hewn stone piled up ninety five fe to
the apex, with forty five feet at the
square base, and not trowel full of
mortar to hold it together. The English
ivy, Virginia creeper and woodbine have
almost climbed to the top and will hold
it up for ages. The only dressed stone
is the one on the face of which is, This
monument is erected to the Confederate
Soldiers by devoted friends"
The finest thing in Richmond is Gen
eral Lees equestrian statue on the great
plain where Camp Lee stood during all
those years of war when Virginia bore
the brunt of it. With the instructive
feeling which makes for the new South,
this statue is placed on line with
Franklin street, the fashionable avenue
for residences. 1t is so far out from Old
Richmond it satisfies the demand of the
real estate agent, while it enriches tie
sentiment of regard for the highest
minded man and greatest character of
the Confederacy. General Lee bestrides
horse which is at rest, with his soft
hat in his right hand, on his hip. In
his left he holds the bride and is look
ing off. The statue is of bronze. The
equestrian stands on high pedestal
which is also of bronze supported by
four marble columns. On the door fac
sng the city is simply the words. Rob
ert E. Lee" Standing as it does go
gracefully pointed as to figure and like
ness. SO unusually good a horse, the
most conspicuous object in all the plain,
the effect is very fine. l don't know
when I've seen statue more satisfying
from an artistic point of view
New Richmond has fine stone church
es. with gothic architecture and stone
porches and rose windows of stained
glass. Old Richmond is paved with
cobble stones, and New Richmond has
but little concrete yet to show for
her enterprise. Old Richmond has a
public building hardly fit for a stable;
New Richmond has erected stone pal
ace to house her public officials in. Old
Richmond still clings to her small old
State House which is classical in form,
but will hardly stand the pressure of
New Richmond much longer Old Rich
mond horse cars are bobtails, hauled
about by one mule; New Richmond has
electric lines on the great thoroughfares
and Main street. Old Richmond had her
Libby Prison, and while sentimentalizing
over it made money by it. New Rich
mond sold it to Chicago, but has been
sorry ever since for commercial reasons.
An ice house stands where Libby prison
did. Itseems rather appropriate for the
prisoners of war who once received cold
comfort from their captors, who had to
"get even" with Secretary of War Stan
ton, as they regarded him and his war
measures in our rebel prisons. Old
Richmond still cherishes her legends of
the splendors Of the place, when there
was slavery. before the war. New Rich
mond knows better, and that during the
reign of king cotton there was never halt
so much money for the masses as iron,
and Touring mills, tobacco factories.
machine shops and other business pours
into the hands and homes of her pc ople
now.
Richmond was in sackcloth and ashes
almost for generation after the war,
but she has accepted the situation and
is pressing on to the front as one of the
prosperous centers of the New South;
Old Richmond is still very conservative
and cherishee her idols who are lono