The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-02-19
IN sTATUARY HALL.
stands No Figure,tO Represent North Carolina
Vance and Macon.

To The Editor:
In 1864 the United States Congress con-
verted the old hall OF representatives in
the capitol at Washington into 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 other suit
able material, selected by their respective
Legislatures. That was 81 years ago.
Most of the States have filled their riches
and three of the most distinguished men
Of 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-
lima, bare as stump in the forest, cover
ed with dust are, pleading with elo-
quence the slight that has
been cast upon them by the ingratitude
of her own offspring that drove these
other illustrious sons Of hers high up in
the temple of fame, out among people OF
appreciation and generous impulses. Ii
they mad remained in the State Of their
nativity, they would have gone down to
their graves unwept, unhOnored, and UNI
sung.
-Four years ago I endeavored to get the
Legislature to take the matter up, but
failed TO interest any one in the cause.
Two years ago | again tried by personal
appeal 10 have a bill presented to fill
the vacancies in Statuary Hall, but could
not get it introduced. Then / concluded
To do it by private subscription selecting
for the place Nathaniel Macon and Zeb
Vance as representing the two most his
toriCal epochs in our country, the forma-
ton and elimination, and not man did
present my list to that did not subscribe
all the way from one dollar to thousand
dollars. When getting down to work l
found that the State had to make the Sc
lection and presentation, and all individ-
uals could do might be thrown TO the
winds by the caprice of a Legislature,
with no interest. glory, or honor in the
past. Thus the matter stands.
Now the present Legislature that
claims to be Democratic, and white men,
high minded and honorable, that make
States and the glory thereof, should pass
an act, or joint resolution designating
these two most illustrious men, native, to
the spirit and the manor born" Nathaniel
Macon and Zeb Vance, who never left
their State for their States dishonor.
And let the act carry an appropriation
of five thousand dollars each-about what
those already in the hall cost, and appoint
working committee to carry the act into
execution and see that they are properly
conducted to places prepared for them
more than a generation ago. We
owe it to them. we owe it to ourselves.
appeal to this Legislature to take
the matter up and carry it to a success
full termination. If they cannot do that,
put it in such shape that the citizens can
do 1t of their own free will Turn it over
TO the "Old Mortality Club" of which ]
am a representative and we will see that
it is done in time in honor and in glory.
We will put Vance there among his COM
peers wrought of solid silver for he died
with the silver bill in his hand.
o. r. SMITH.