The sun., 1909-05-23
THAT STATUE ON THE DONE.
IL 10 ARMED Liberty and II Stands -
Jenerson Davis Had 1t Fixed Over.

| From the washington Pod.
Armed Liberty. the magnificent statue
that crowns the dome OF the Capitol. 10 by
far the most symbolic OF all the statues in
Washington. Beautiful and repoeeful. yet
with an air Of vigilance, it 10 perhaps the
least appreciat ed OF ths city's statues. pos
sibly because OF It's being placed at such
an altitude that Il cannot easily be studied.
The original plans Of the Capitol called for
q statue to surmount the dome, but no
title was then given 1t, and although more
than half a century has elapsed sinoe hs
erection com mparativeiy few people know
the real name Of the statue.
Seeking this information Poet reporter
interrogated q number Of persons whose
daily occupations keep them almost con-
stantly beneath the shadow Of the great
statue To the question. What 10 the
name Of the statue above the dome OF this
buildins,- came these widely different
opinions:
-The name Of that ststue7 Why. it, tbs
Goddess OF Freedom"
Yes. 1 can tell you the name. II Il the
Goddess Of Liberty
Several declared 1t to be the statue Of
Independence. Others said. 1t Is an In
dian woman
1T is the God OF Justice and Freedom
declared q portly man In q tone that de-
fed questioning.
1T represents an American woman, but
am not sure OF her name"
well, now, ! never inquired what lady
that statue commentaries. remarked a
politician from q not very distant State,
but It is a 1ne work Of art
1T is q statue OF the god OF war. Mars,
Can you tell me something about ths;
statue above the dome'" was asked = man
whose knowledge is well known.
AL L.. - AL
nisl days. Can't you see the trimming
around the mantle and the curls about the
face7 And the features are deicately
mould ed. You see. l have studied the mod el
at the museum. It surely is = woman. i
think you can safely say It 10 an American
woman
One who always tries his best to help
Others said: Now all statues, a. you
know, bear the names OF the people they
represent, and II 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 .
woman. I am sure, no look for the female
statues
A younger member OF the House replied
to the question about the statue most
suaveIy and conndingly: 1t is the god OF
proeress you know his name" Several OF
the coloref men in the various parts OF the
building were nearly all quite sure 1t was
the godd ess Of freedom. One OF them knew
the year, 1888. when it was placed above the
dome, and he affirmed. 1T is the goddess Of
American liberty before tho war
You want 70 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 returned.
THAT il a statue OF PocahontAs." Every
one had a different name for the statue.
not one giving the real name. Armed Lib
erty.
The statue was modelled by Thomas
Crawford, father Of the novelist. the iste
F. Marion Crawford. 1t was cast at
Maryland foundry. Jefferson Davis was
Secretary Of War when the model was nrst
presented in the War Department. The
At stnc then wore q liberty cap and car
ried a bundle Of rods. Davis objected
to the liberty cap as being emblemstic
OF smancipated slaves. while Americans
we're free born. H. also thought the bundle
OF rods, suggesting the functions OF
the Roman lictor. had lost Its symbolic
character. Because OF these criticisms OF
Davis the model was changed,
and Armed Liberty was evolved.
The statue Ia nine feet six inches tall
and weighs 1895 pounds. 1t was put
in place on December 2. 1893 The head 10
thrown back and adorned with eagles
beak and plumes. The right hand rests
on a sw ord and the left holds ansolve branch
and a shield. The mantle Ia grace
fully draped and In held by 4 brooch. bear
lng III. s. on It's face. The helmet 10
encircled with stars. The supporting globe
bears the legend -E Pluribus Unum.'