The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-07-09
THE CAPITOL STATUE
Heroic Figure That Surmounts
 the Dome In Washington.
THE MODEL WAS CHANGED.

inaI as Designed by Crawford, and 1t
 Was Altered to symboIize Armed
 Liberty" as 1t Now Stands.
 Armed Liberty" the splendid statue that crowns the dome of the capitol. is by far the most symbolic of all the statues in Washington. Beautiful and reposeful, yet with an air of vigilance, it is perhaps the least appreciated of the city's statues, possibly because of it's being placed at such an altitude that it cannot easily be studied. The original plans of the capitol called for statue to surmount the dome, but no title was then given it, and compara- lively few people know the real name of the statue.
 Seeking this information, a Post re- porter interrogated a number of per sons whose daily occupations keep them almost constantly beneath the shadow of the great statue. To the question What is the name of the statue above the dome of this build ing?" came these widely different opin- ions:
 ''The name of that statue? Why, it's the Goddess of Freedom" Yes; I can tell you the name. It is the Goddess of Liberty" Several declared it to be the statue of Independence. Others said, "It is an Indian woman.''
 ''It is the God of Justice and Free dom," declared a portly man in a tone that defied questioning. "It represents an American woman, but | am not sure of her name"
 "Well, now, I never inquired what lady that statue commentaries" re- marked a politician from a not very distant state, ''but it is a fine work of art"
 "It is a statue of the god of war, Mars"
 Can you tell me something about that statue above the dome?' was asked man whose knowledge is well known.
 "Why, certainly. It is a woman of colonial days. Can't you see the trim ming around the mantle and the curls about the face? And the features are delicately nodded. You see, I have studied the model at the museum. It surely is a woman. I think you can safely say. it is an American woman One who always tries his best to help others said: "Now, all statues, as | you know, bear the names of the peo- pie they represent, and if you will just step over to the library of congress I think you can easily find some book on statues that will tell you all you want to know. It is a woman, I am sure, so look for the female statues" A younger member of the house re- piled to the question about the statue most suavely and confiding1y, 'It is the god of progress; you know his name" Several of the colored men in the various parts of the building were nearly all quite sure it was the God dess of Freedom. One of them knew the year, 1863, when it was placed above the dome, and he affirmed, "It is the Goddess of American Liberty Before the War; You want to know the name of that statue? Well. just wait minute, and I will get it for you first hand" And a most accommodating guide passed into the senate chamber. Directly he returned.
 'That is a statue of Pocahontas'' Every one had a different name for the statue, not one giving the real name, ''Armed Liberty The statue was modelled by Thomas
 
 late F. Marion Crawford. It was cast at Maryland foundry. Jefferson Da- wis was secretary of war when the model was first presented in the war department. The statue then wore a liberty cap and carried a bundle of rods. Davis objected to the liberty cap as being emblematic of the emancipated slaves, while Americans were freeborn. He also thought the bundle of rods, suggesting the func- tions of the Roman ictor, had lost its symbolic character. Because of these criticisms of Secretary Davis the mod el was changed, and Armed Liberty" was evolved.
 The statte is nine feet six inches tall and weighs 14,9s5 pounds, It was put in place on Dec. 2, 1868. The head is thrown back and adorned with eagles beak and plumes. The right hand rests on a sword, and the left holds an olive branch and a shield. The mantle is gracefully draped and is held by a brooch bearing "U. s. on it's face. The helmet is encircled with stars. The supporting globe bears the legend "E Pluribus Unum."-W Post.