The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-06-28

The Location Of the Mercer Monument

fHS IeedhoA OF tue tefNtf NohumNht-
THE FREE LANCE
/ observed in a late issue of your paper
that a local sentiment In YOUR city has
been expressed iasoring the Court
House yard a. the proper location for
the monument which the Nation is going
to erect in fredericksburg. in memory oi
General Mercer. of Revolutionary fame
| wonder Il the suggestion of that local.
~ has received a sober second Thought ''1
Think oi iti would you people be pleased
10 hear IL said: The beautiful monument
which our great Repuhicerected In r9Os
in honor e.! General Mercer i located ia
n yard. i'm Frederick sburg Virginia.
How would the sound Oi such an an.
nOuncement strike the public ear. and
what kind ol comments would IL pro
woke from the patriotism of the people
of the nation whose representatives or
dered its construction
have "A lingering attachment. almost
an aiiectionate regard. for the charming
locality upon which sleeps the interest
ing and historical old city of Ercdericss
burg This feeling prompts me % diff
IDENTIFY intrude the remark. that the pro-
posed beautiful and attractive emblem
of the Nations regard for the character
and services of General Mercer should
have location where there are broad
openings. readily approachahle by the
public from al directions. with vista.
II. possible. where the monument could
be effectively seen from a distance.
Like beam of sunshine which some
times breaks chceringlv through the
clouds oi a somhrc sky. my mind is. oc
casionlv; lighted up witha revivins hops
that. at date. not remote there viii
be general practical awakening in Fred
erickSburg. and that the Mary Wash
ington Avenue viii DE graded and finish
ed as generous nature plainly indicated
ii should be. and that your c:tv vii
then enjoy thep pleasure and benefit which
would come from having one of the most
admired and attractive park avenues IL
the country. This grelt public way /.
loo ieet wide. and would of course
have broad plat of ornamental pars
through its entire length
Somewhere in this plat. in the mi,idl,
of the crossing of an intersecting street
would he model location command
Ing all the conditions required for the
Mercer Monument In such position il
would be the center of "a pleasing vista
from four points of the compass.
IL is Important that 5he artist should
know where the monument Is To stand
before he begins work upon it,
II. however. such a location j. selected
the grade of the avenue. as il will De-
when finished. should be determined. SO
that the foundation for the monument
couldbe properly established. and thus
render any change unnecessary herr after
when your people wake up and finish the
avenue
tits 20 he hoped that your city author
i;ies VIII regard 10 rs aduty and pleasure
20 incur the small expense of grading
the ground and furnishing the curb
stone for the circle where the monu-
ment will stand. ~o that the 50. 600
Just appropriated by Congress may all
20 into the work ou the monument
With view az giving the location of
the structure am eSthetic and IGNORED
aspect. some.-not too much.-appro-
pirate 7hruhbery should boz placed in the
grounds around it. hut not allowed to
grow high enough % obstruct AT any
time. view of the monument: thus Sc
curing a harmonious and pleasing blend
ing oi nature with art
should no one claim the pleasure of
supplying the suggested plants 20 that
nature could add its charms 10 the sit
uatlou. IL viii De- cheeriully done. and. II
desired. placed in position bv faithfully
YOURS =. PorrEE