Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-06-11
THAT STATUE ON THE DONE.

THAT STATUE ON THE DONE.
II Is "Armed Liberty" and It Stands as
Jefferson Davis Had II Fixed Over.
Armed Liberty, the magnificent
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, 1t is perhaps the least
appreciated of the city's statues, pos
sibly because Of its being placed at
such an altitude that it cannot easily
be studied. The original plans of the
Capitol called for statue 20 sur
mount the dome, but no title was
then given to 1t, and although more
than half century has elapsed since
its erection, comparatively few peopls
know the real name of the statue.
Seeking this information a Post re-
porter interrogated number Of per-
sons whose daily occupations keep
them almost constantly beneath the
shadows 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
opinions:
"The name Of that statue? Why,
It's the G"eiess of Freedom"
"Yes, I can tell you the name. 1t
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.
1T 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"
at is a statue of the god of war,
Mars"
"Can you tell me something about
that statue above the dome?" was
asked a man whose knowledge Is well
known.
why, certainly. 1t is a woman of
Colonial days. Can't you see the
trimming around the mantle and the
curls about the face? And the fea-
lures are delicately moulded. You
see, I have studied the model at the
museum. 1t surely Is a woman. I
think you can safely say 1t 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
people they represent, and If you will
just step over to the Library Of Con-
gress I think you can easily find
some books on statues that 1t will tell
you all you want to know. 1t is a
woman, am sure, so look for the
female statues"
A young member Of the house re-
piled to the question about the statue,
most suavely and confidingly: 1T 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 1t was the
goddess of freedom. One of them
knew the year, 1868, when 1t was
placed above the dome, and he affirm
ed, "It is the goddess of American
liberty before the war"
"You want to know the name Of
that statue? Well, just wait a min
ute and l will get it for you first
hand" and a most accommodating
guide passed into the senate cham
ber. Directly he returned.
"That is q 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 Thom-
as Crawford, father of the novelist,
the late F. Marion Crawford. 1t was
cast at a Maryland foundry. Jeffer-
son Davis was secretary Of war when
the model was first presented in the
war department. The statue then
wore a liberty cap and carried bum
die Of rods. Davis objected to the
liberty cap as being emblematic or
emancipated slaves, while Americans
were freeborn. He also thought the
bundle of rods, suggesting the func-
tions of the Roman lictor, had lost It's
symbolic character. Because Of these
criticisms of Secretary Davis the mod
el was changed, and ARMED Liberty
was evolved.
The statute is nine feet six inches
tall and weighs 1895 pounds. 1t
was put in place on December 2, 1858.
The head is thrown back and adorn-
ed with eagles beak and plumes. The
right hand rests on a sword and the
left holds an olive branch and
shield. The mantle is gracefully
draped and Is held by a brooch,
bearing ~. S." on it's face. The he'll
net Is encircled with stars. The sup
porting globe bears the legend II