The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-07
THAT STATUE ON THE DOME.
1t Is Armed Liberty" and Stands as
 Jefferson Davis Had 1t Fixed Over.

From the Washington Post.
 Armed Liberty, the magnificent statue that crowns the dome of the capitol is by far the most symbolic of all the stat ues in Washington. Beautiful and repose- full, yet with an air of vigilance. it is per haps 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 nf the capitol called for statue to sur mount the dome, but no title was then given it, and, although more than cen tury has elapsed since its erection, com paratively few people know the real name of the statue.
 Seeking this information a--Post report CT interrogated number of persons whose daily occupations keep them al- most constantly beneath the shadow of the great statue. To the question, What Is the name of the statue above the dome of this buiding?' came these widely diff ferent opinions:
 "The name of that statue? Why, it's the Goddess of Freedom"
 "Yes. 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 h. dian woman"
 Tt Is the God of Justice and Freedom declared a portly man in tone that de- fled questioning
 '1t represents an American woman, but I am not sure of her name"
 Well, now I never inquired what lady that statue commemorates," remarked a politician from a not very distant state, but 1t is a fine work of art"
 "It is statue of the god of war; Mars"
 "Can you tell me something about that statue above the dome?' was asked u man whose knowledge Is well known. Why, certainly. It is woman of Co., lonial days. Can't you see the trimming around the mantle and the curls about the face? And the features deli cately moulded. You see, I have studied the model at the museum. It surely Is a l woman. l think you can safely say it is l 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 Congress l think you can easily find some book on statues that will tell you all you want to know. It is a woman, l am sure, so look for the female statues.
 A younger member of the House replied to the question about the statue, most suavely and confdingly: Tt Is the god of progress; you know his name" Several
 
 of the building were nearly all quite sure it was the goddess of freedom. One of them knew the year, 1863. when it was placed above the dome, and he affirmed: Tt is the goddess of American liberty before the war
 You want to know the name of that statue? Well. just wait minute and will get 1t for you first hand" and q most accommodating guide passed into the Senate chamber. Directly he re- turned
 That is statue of Pocahontas Ev- cry one had a different name for the statue, not one giving the real name, Armed Liberty.
 The statue was modelled by Thomas Ora wford, father of the novelist, the late F. Marion Crawford It was cast at Maryland foundry. Jefferson Davis was Secretary of War when the model was first presented in the War department The statue then wore a liberty cap and carried bundle of rods. Davis objected to the liberty cap being emblematic of enancipated slaves, while Americans were free born. He also thought the bum dle of rods suggesting the functions of the Roman lictor, had lost its symbolic character Because of these criticisms of