Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-10-31
FIFTY YEARS Ago In
THE STAR,

a controversy arose fifty years ago
over the statue of Lincoln erected in
Union Park. New York.
Statue of and in the course OF il
r: the Baltimore Sun quip-
ped The Star regarding
the statue of Lincoln in front OF thu
city hall in Washington. The Star in
its issue of October "a, 1870. said:
For some reason the Baltimore Sun
| Is particularly down on our uupr.-
tending statue OF Lincoln. Wei. W.
are not prepared to say that = is not
ifaulty and open to sharp criticism, but
We can say. after seeing all the thou
sand and one designs offered before
the committee of selection that this
was the best. Nearly every artist in
the country sent a design. and no
toriously the worst were the most
ambitious ones. 1magin the lank
neure or Lincoln in a Roman toga.
and with wreath OF laurels encir-
cling his thin, three-story head, In
agine him in a smart talma cloak; or
In a military costume, full chested dc
hant. glazing. poking the air with a
sword! Most of them had him pok-
ing the air with something-a sword.
truncheon or a roll of manuscript.
But the greatest absurdities were
committed in the attempt to idealize
the homely face and lank figure
These had him draped in shawls. to-
gas. talmas. etc, etc. to fiji out the
figure for artistic effect, but the re-.
sun invariably was to make some
tning palpably absurd and sure to he
secuted by the American people. For
one ming. Lincoln never wore a shawl
or cloak. He did wear an over
coat. and it is rather surprising tbat
no artist has thought of meeting tho
l1imculties OF his figure by draping
nIn IN such a garment. The full
iength portrait OF Lafayette at the
oAp.oi. IN which he is represented in
eurtout. shows that that garment
can be used with effect. giving full
ness and dignity to the figure. and in
perfectly legitimate manner
wen! as we were going to say. the
v H after examining a great
many designs and listening to the rep
reeentations and claims Of the various
artists. came to the conclusion that tho
model presented by Lot F1annery was
the best altogether. the attitude being
the likeness good. And it was not
only the best presented then, but no
better has since appeared to our
knowledge: Certainly that by Browne
at Union Square, New York. is not.
though more pretentious. and by an
artist Of leading reputation. This
may not be saying much, however.
for. in our opinion. the artist who
can make a full-length standing fig-
ure of Abraham Lincoln fully satis-
the practical views of the American
people. has not been heard from yet,
even IL he is born"
While perhaps the predominant SEN
timent in this country fifty years ago.
during the Franco
Sentiment Prussian war. was ia
i vorable to Prussia
Iof france. owing. perhaps, to q
feeling that prevailed here against
Napoeon III on account Of his inter
/ ference in Mexico-there was q strong
pro-French leaning. and in The Star
OF October q. 1870, is a news article
telling OF meeting of citizens of
Washington ito express sympathy
with the French republic and the suf-
ferings Of the French people in it's
unrighteous war" Lincoln Hall, which
stood at the corner of 9Th and
streets. was crowded both with ma
tives of France resident here and
! native-born Americans. Many ladies
were in the assemblage. The meet
ing was called to order by r. d. Mus
| sey, who proposed Thomas J. Durant
! for president, and he was elected.
Rev. Dr.. Newman opened the meet
ing with prayer and addresses were
made by A. z. Riddle and Richard T:
I HAUiAUinO
progress Of the war. A series of
| resolutions was unanimously adopted.
strongly condemning the King of
Prussia ON the ground that. in vio-
prosecuting a war of conquest and
had caused unprecedented carnage.
devastation and human suffering. and
! that thee effort Of the military des-
j potism OF Prussia to crush the re-
| public Of France was direct attack
upon republican ideas in general.
The resolutions concluded by declar-
/, ing that those subscribing to them
| would use every means in our pow
er, consistent with international and
municipal law, to aid the unfortunate
people Of France in a condition OF
UNPARALLELED suffering they are now
enduring from the war. and will with
our whole strength, under the same
evil liberty ana republican govern
meat in Europe and throughout the
world"
|
The eapttal-moving convention was
held At dneannati attended BY only a
handful Of dele
Capital Moving Gates r rs.rss'n ~nn
Convention. lucky. missouri.
Ohio. Nebraska, Alabama, Texas. IL
linois and Washington territory. One
OF the reporters. describing the scene.
said that the efforts OF the few in
attendance to MI the spacious hall
chosen for the meeting reminded him
| very fercibly Of the misguided hen
| who spread herself in an attempt
to cover twenty-one eggs. In The
Star of October IS, 1870. an extract
from the Cincinnati Enquirer. which
previously had rather favored the
capital moving project. is quoted as
follows:
..rhe capital convention. one Of the
most stupendous farces Of the year.
brouRht its labors to an abrupt close
vesterday From the first ii was a
| failure, and, as might have been
prophesfed. nothing definitely was
accomplished. The few gentlemen