The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-03-10
WANTS NO STATUE
OF KING FREDERICK
SENATOR BACON OPPOSES
ACCEPTANCE OF THE GERMAN
EMPEROR'S GIFT.

Georgia Senator Thinks That "A
Statue of Frederick the Great, an
Exponent of AbsOIutism of One
Supreme Power in Government,
should Have no Place In the
American National Capital-Sennte
Passed the Army Bill.
Washington, March 9.-During the
last hours of the consideration of the
army appropriation bill in the Senate
to-day, Mr. Bacon entered a protest
against the acceptance of the statue
of Frederick the Great of Germany,
rendered by Emperor William, basing
his opposition on the ground that the
former German King was not in SYM
pathy with American institutions. Mr..
Stewart defended him against what he
characterized as Mr. Bacon's gross mis-
representations The army appropria-
ton bill was passed.
Mr.. Bacon, speaking of the statue
of Frederick, said he meant no affront
in what he might say, either to the
President or the German Emperor or
the German people. He would be
pleased to have statues of many Ger
mans erected in the capital Of the
United States, men, distinguished in
science or the arts, such as Goethe or
Wagner. for instance, but" he went
on. Il do not believe that the erec-
ton of statue of Frederick the Great
in this city is in accord with the
wishes of the people of the United
| States"
He was sure, at any rate. that many
| felt that way, and he was one of them.
He said there is no single thing con-
| nected with the history of Frederick
that would make him an ideal for the
people of the United States, except
| his courage and devotion to his peo-
pie, which all must admire.
These qualities, Mr.. Bacon, con-
tinued give Frederick high rank in his
tory, but there is nothing In his charac-
ter to stimulate the people of the
United States in the perfection of their
institutions. 1T is" he said, 'incon-
sistent with the traditions and the
hopes of the people of the United
States that there should be erected here
monument to the memory of the man
who perhaps to a greater extent than
any other man in modern times. was
the type of absolutism."
Mr.. Bacon also contended that no
authority short of Congress could with
propriety assign a site in the national
capital for statues
Mr.. Lodge asserted the war college
grounds were on the same footing as
the grounds at West Point, where
monuments were erected upon the au-
thority of the Secretary of War.
Mr.. Bacon replied that his point was
that Congress had especial control of
all public grounds in the District of
Columbia. I'VE have" he went on,
many men to whom, if we desired,
we could erect statues"
Robert E. Lee, for instance" sug-
gested Mr.. Carmack
But" Mr.. Bacon said, 81 won't say
that"
What I protest against" he said,
lis the idea of making this country
the dumping grounds for statues of
men who, while heroes in their own
countries, stand for ideals totally diff
ferent from our own"
Mr.. Stewart said he regretted the
criticism of the acceptance of the
statue because he thought Ii would
have a harmful effect.
With Mr.. Stewards statement, the
question was dropped and Mr.. German
spoke on the general feature of the
bill, criticising the growth of army
appropriations within the past few
years.
The army bill was then passed, as
was also the Philippine shipping bill,
after speeches in opposition to Messrs.
Culberson and Patterson.