Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-07
The Square of the Revolution.

With the unyeiling today of the
statue of Baron Won Steuben, the reserva-
ton known as Lafayette Square is given
completed equipment of revolutionary
figures at the four corners, Lafayette
himself at the southeast, RochambeAu at
the southwest, kosciuszkO at the north
east and Won Steuben at the northwest.
An appropriate centra, figure in this re-
!narkable group of European friends of
the infant republic is, however, lacking.
The pace of honor in the square is occu-
pied by the bronze effigy Of one of Amer
ica's great men, Andrew jackson, twice
President of the United States and the
hero of it's second war. jackson was not
revolutionary figure. and he has no
place in the group of statues opposite the
White House, however the nation may
honor him by conspicuous memorial
at the capital. One man alone fits into
this scheme of revolutionary figures. the
man in whose aid the European soldiers
and friends of liberty came to the new
world. who commanded their respect and
loyalty. vino inspired them to their sac
rifices-George Washington.
In, this city which bears the name of
the first President there are two public
memorials to him. the wonderful white
shaft by the river bank, which stands
unique among all commemorative struc-
lures. perfect symbol of" the man and
his work; and a totally inadequate eques-
TRAN statue. which has been perhaps fer
tunately hidden from general view by it's
emplacement in an Insignificant circle off
the line of general traffic. II would
be too much to ask that this latter
be transferred to the central position in
what should be formally styled Revolu-
ton Square It's artistic Qualities do not
warrant SO conspicuous an emplacement.
But there Is no adequate reason why
Congress should not now proceed to pro-
vide a truly impressive bronze portrait
of the first President for installation in
this most significant and appropriate res
ervation.
There is sentiment. it is true, against
the removal of the jackson statue from
Its present position, but that sentiment
need not be permanent obstruction to
thie suggested course. There are numer-
Gus places in Washington where Andrew
jackson could be installed without loss
of prestige or honor. In this connection
it may be recalled that about twenty
years ago an attempt was made to place
the Lafayette statue, now standing at
the southeast corner Of the square. In the
center of the park and a protest arose
which prevented the execution of the de-
sign. 1t may be unknown to many WASH
ingtonians that there is actually in ex-
istence today a concrete foundation for
such a statue at the central point of the
south side Of the square, where the then
Secretary of War undertook to locate the
Lafayette monument after the center of
the reservation had been forbidden it.
This plan. too. was frustrated and the
Lafayette was given the place il now
occupies, which has proved to be the
most logical position in view of the SUBJ
sequent experimenting of that sculpture
by the Rochambeau. the Kosciuszko and
now the won, Steuben. 1t only remains
now for Congress to recognize the emf
nently superior claims of George WASH
ington to the supreme place in the CEN
ter of this inspiring group Of our friends
in the days of sorest need.