The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-02-17
IN sTATuARY HALL.
Stands No Figure to Represent North Carolina
Vance and Macon

To The Editor:
IN 1864 the United States Congress con-
ycrted the cid hail Of representatives in
the capitol at Washington into a stat
uary hall, and prepared two pedestals for
each state with their names upon them
and invited the States TO place upon them
statues of their most distinguished cit
liens in marble, bronze, or ether suit
abe material, selected by their respective
Legislatures That was 81 years ago.
Most of the States have filled their riches
and three &C the most distinguished men
O. this country standing there among the
great men OF the times, civic and mill
tary, are from North Carolina, represent
ing Other States, while the two pedestals
marked with the name of North Caro-
liza, bare as a stump in the forest cover
ed with dust are pleading with elo-
ouence the slight that has
been cast upon them by the ingratitude
of her own offspring that drove these
ether illustrious sons of hers high up in
the temple OF fame, out among people Of
appreciation and generous impulses. If
they mad remained in the State of their
nativity. they would have gone down to
their graves unwept, Unhonored, and I'M
sung.
-Four years ago | endeavored to get the
legislature to take the matter up, but
failed to interest any one in the cause.
Two years ago l again tried by personal
appeal to have @bill presented TO NIL
the vacancies il Statuary Hall, bur could
not get L introduced. Then l concluded
to do it by private subscription, selecting
for the plaeezAathaniel Macon and Zeb
Vance as representing the two most MS
torical epochs in our country, the fo"m2-
ton and elimination, and not man dld
| present my list TO that did not subscribe
ali the way from one dollar to thousand
dollars When getting down to work
. found that The State had TO make the Sc
lection and presentation, and all individ7
ua!s could do might be thrown to the
winds BY theS caprice Of Legislature,
with no interest,"; g1pry, or honor in the
past Thus rne3 mat ter stands.
Now the present Legislature that
claims to be Daaa6esatie, and white men.
high minded and 4honorable. that make
states and the glerFeghereof, should pass
IN act or joihtss Resolution designating
these two most illus1Elous men, native, to
The spirit and th&yg4ahor born" Nathaniel
Macon and Zeb 35Nance, who never left
their State fors=their States dishonor.
-s@=.Ir
And let tho acts carry an appropriation
OF five thousand dollars each-about what
tkcse already in the hall cost, and appoint
4 working committee TO carry the act into
execution and see that they are properly
conducted TO places prepared for Them
more than q generation ago. We
owe = TO them we owe it TO ourselves.
appeal TO this Legislature to take
the matter uD and carry it to q success
full termination. If they cannot do that,
put il in such shape that the citizens can
10 il of their own free will. Turn it over
To the "OId Mortality Club" Of which l
am rcr resentative and we will see that
it is done in time, in honor, aud n glory.
We will put Vance there among his COM
peers wrought of solid silver, for nc died
with the silver bill in his hand
o. II. SMITH.