The Washington herald., 1910-11-27
STATUARY HALL.
by ). A. wALRoUs.
United States Amy.

Whiie In Washington recently passed
pleasant and profitable hour in statuary
Han, formerly occupied by the Repre-
sentatiyes in Congress. Where, in all
OF the nations great. beautiful Capitol
building. is there a place of greater in
terest to those who make only one or an
occasional visit to Washington?
can readily understand why natives
OF the city, and those whose official and
other duties take them through statuary
Hall many times. year after year, do not
md the pleasure or have the interest in
II that do those who have been there once
OF Infrequency; but / cannot understand
now any one is able to reach the conclu-
sion that a new Statuary Hail in the
vicinity of the Capitol should be built,
at great expense that the statues in the
present hall should be thrown 10 the
JUNK pile, and more artistic. up-to-date
ones be made for the new hall. Such a
plan Is not only favored by some Wash
ington people and a portion OF the press
OF that city. but Washington correspond
ents OF other influential papers vigor-
ously advocate the plan.
The suggestion OF such a change will, I
am very sure. be regarded as in horribly
bad taste, utterly without excuse, and
little less than monstr0us by all who have
had but one opportunity. or an occasional
opportunity, 10 stroll through Statuary
Han. the large, interesting haIl long oc-
eupied by many of the nations great
statesmen while legislating for the young
country that has since taken It's place at
the forefront OF countries, partly. If not
largely, because OF the wisdom and
craftsmanship of the Congressman then
serving the people.
To recall the grand characters Of those
early days and the great work they did
in this old but still beautiful hall IS n
spring. I am sorry for the intelligent
man or woman who can visit Statuary
Hall. view the statues OF many Of the
greatest men the nation has known. with
out Increased pride in and love for their
country without the benefit Of new in
spirations.
new statuary Hall in Washington
Never, l hope; never. millions, / am
sure. sincerely hope. or viii hope.
Cast the present statues Ito the junk
pile?" Make a new Jaw governing the re-
ception and style Of statues? Cast aside
the law approved and signed by Presi-
dent Lincoln?
Let the millions cry no. Who doubts
that the great war President looked
ahead and pictured 10 himself what
Statuary Hall would be ike before he
signed that bill. in 1864, at a time when
he and others could look ahead and
plainly see restored Union? Who
among all Of our great men looked fur
ther into the future and saw more clearly
than Mr.. Lincoln? What would Lincoln
say. If he could pass upon the question.
about the proposition TO have those
statues thrown to the Junk pile''-a sug-
gestion made by a Washington eorre-
spondent ana approved by others-and
get more artistic ones In their places for
positions in Statuary Hall to be built
AT cost OF s2,5oo,0o0? / wish we might
have Lincoln's vote on that proposition.
Indeed, though II may seen like over
taNing the imagination, | would Ike to
know how Daniel Webster. one Of New
Hampshire's contributions, would stand
on such proposition If he had an oppor-
tunitys or George Washington, of Viz
ginia, Samuel Adams, of Massachusetts;
Thomas II. Benton, OF Missouri. Gen.
Lewis Cass, of Michigan: Sam Houston.
OF Texas Gen Phil Kearny, OF New
Jersey, Oliver p Morton. OF Indiana:
Roger Sherman-what any Of them would
say, II they could speak, on such a
question? Who has any doubt as 10
what they would say, from Abraham
Lincoln, though his statue is not there,
to Roger Sherman, OF Connecticut?
1t is true that some OF the statues
made a long time ago are not strikingly
artistic, but they were counted fairly
high grade at the time. and what is vast
ly more important and better is the
fact that they are good representations
of the men, showing them as they we're
when they were distinguished figures in
American life and service. Ii goes with
out saying that handsomer, better, more
artistic statues may be made to-day. bur
they couldn't be made so as 10 tell a
better story, and the chances are that
the efforts TO meet the highly cultivated
tastes of those who clamor for the Junk
pile" would result in statues less like
the old leaders: at least, less like them
20 the men and women who accept the
present statues as desirable representa-
tions Of the great characters whose his
tories and service have become familiar
to them.
States have expended large sums, in the
aggregate. for the many statues now IN
position. Is 1t difficult 10 imagine the
opposition that would come from States
to the plan to Junk pile" their offerings
to Statuary Hall, coupled with demand
for more expensive and more artistic pro
ductions? Imagine the indignation and
disgust that would manifest themselves
on the floors of the average state legisla-
lures in discussions over such a call from
Washington. Imagine the delay in COM
plying with such demand How would
New Hampshire speak up over call for
better Webster, or Massachusetts for
a better Sam Adams? Or Maryland to a
call for better Charles Carroll of Car
rollton? Kansas for a better John J. IN
gals? Indiana for 4 better Oliver D Nor