Watertown leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1909-1911, 1909-07-23
THE CAPITOL STATUE
Heroic Figure That Surn1ounts
the Dome In Washington.
THE MODEL WAS CHANGED.
jefferson Davis Objected to the Orig
inal as Designed by Crawford, and 1t
Was Altered to Symbolic ARMED
Liberty" as 1t Now Stands.

Was Altered to Symbolic "Arm ed
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
its 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 compare
lively few people know the real name
Of the statue.
Seeking this information, a Post re-
porter Intercepted 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; can tell you the name 1t is
the Goddess of Liberty
Several declared it to be the statue
Indian woman"
ut is the God of Justice and Free
DOM" declared a portly man in a tore
that defed questioning.
''It represents an American woman,
but am not sure of her name"
"Well, now, l never inquired what
lady that statue commentaries" re-
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.
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, l have
studied the model at the museum. 1t
surely is woman. l 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 l
think you can easily find some book
on statues that will tell you all you
want to know. 1t is a woman, l 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 confidingly, at 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, 1868, 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 a minute, and
1 will get it for you first hand" And
a most accc mmodating 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
Crawford, father of the novelist, the
late f. Marion Crawford. 1t 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-
lions of the Roman 1ictor, had lost it's
symbolic character. Because of these
criticisms of Secretary Davis the mod
ell was changed, and ARMED Liberty
was evolved
The statue is nine feet six inches tall
and weighs 1895 pounds. 1t 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 ~. s. on its face. The
helmet is encircled with stars. The
supporting globe bears the legend "E
Pluribus Unum. "-Washington Post.