Evening star., 1925-11-09
Creenough's Washington
Now i'm Smithsonian
To the Editor of The Star:

Greenough's much criticized me-
mortal Of the Father of His Coun-
try" that stood for so long a time
on the plaza in front Of the Capitol.
was by the act of Congress approved
May %, 1908, turned over to the ten
der mercies of the Smithsonian In
stitution. 1t was removed in Novem-
ber. 1908, and was placed in the west
hall of the Smithsonian Building, in
the division of the lower inverte-
brates. This division is now assigned
to the division Of graphic arts.
The statue was removed from the
former location when Olmsted, the
landscape architect, made the i'm
provement on the Plaza Of the Capt.
ton. and 1t was quite an undertaking
to transport the statue to its present
location, as 1t weighed over 20 tons.
The pedestal, which was designed by
Petrie, whereon are the words, First
In Peace, First in War. First in the
Hearts Of His Countrymen," was
abandoned and placed on the dump.
1t was, however, afterward utilized
and used as one Of the corner stones
OF the Government power house that
generates the electric supply for the
Capitol. The stone is in plain view
at the northeast corner of the build
Ing, but the words. First in War"
are the only ones exposed to view.
X
The statue was completed in Italy
In 1910. In 1841 1t arrived in this coun-
try, and was placed in the center Of
the Rotunda Of the Capitol, and oc-
cupied the spot whereon once stood
the statue of Thomas jefferson. 1t re-
mafned but a few months in this To-
cality, as it was found that it inter
Tered with the pedestrian traffic
across the Rotunda. In 1912 it was
removed to the plaza at the east
front of the Capitol. In l846 1t was
surrounded by an iron railing of 13
angles. For many years 1t was COW
cred over during Winter by an un-
slightly wooden shed.
1t would have been most appro.
priate had the statue been transferred
to Mount Vernon and placed under a
classic structure with an iron grill
on all sides, so that it might be viewed
from every direction. At present It
seems to be in rather a dilapidated
condition, and much in need of a
thorough cleansing, but perhaps the
cleaning Of the statue would en-
phasize many blemishes and cracks
caused by its long exposure to the
elements. This statue represents the
preparation being for 5000 for its
removal to the present site.
r X
On the back of the statue is the in
scriptfon: "Simulacrum istud ad Mag
mum. Libertatis examplum nee sine
ipsadura turum. Horatius Green
ough." C'Horatius Greenough made this
statue as a grand example Of liberty.
IN
the right-hand side of the chair is a
bas-relief OF the God Of the Sun
In his chariot: on the left are seen
the Hercules Twins strangling Tyran-
ny. On the left-hand side Of the back
stands the figure of a diminutive In
dian in meditative mood; on the
right-hand side is a representation OF
Columbus contemplating a ball which
he holds in his right hand, supposed
to be the world
Just what will be the future dispo-
sition OF this historical work is not
clear. Certainly it Is deserving of
more consideration, notwithstanding
the adverse criticism as to its artistic
merits.
1t occupied it's position on the
Plaza for &c years and 16 Presidents
during the Inauguration ceremony
had gazed on the classic form
Of the Father of His Country. Since
1892 and up to November, 1908,
1t had weathered the storms and
defied the lightning, but, alas, the ef-
fects of exposure to the elements had
It's result. About 40 years ago the
iron railing which protected the
statue was removed, thus giving the
Vandals an opportunity to disfigure
the monument. by the writing of
names and chipping off small pieces.
1t is surprising that the statue today
Is in as good condition as 1t is.
During one of the inaugural cere-
monies a large crowd having assem-
bled in front of the Capitol, some pa.
triotic citizens, seeking a place of van
tage, ciambered up on the pedestal,
and as they sought to maintain q
better foothold the statue suffered con-
siderable damage. The right arm of
the figure OF Columbus was fractured
and dislocated, and "Lo the poor In
dian" was wrenched from his position
behind the chair and broken to atoms,
and 1t was necessary to reconstruct
the redman. Even George himself
did not escape, the great toe of his
left foot being crushed and mutilated,
but fortunately after receiving first aid
new member was skillfuily grated
on, and he was again able to toe the
mark" The restoring of the mutilated
digit Of George was marvelously well
done, by a painless operation of a
surgical lapidary. So neatly did the
toe heal that the scar is hardly per-
ceptible.
1t is hard to realize that the efflgy
of Washington was chiseled from a
solid block Of marble. The drapery is
really wonderful and the tracery in
the back Of the chair is marvellous.
The details are carefully carried out
1t is said that modelling In the nude
is the highest test of the sculptors S
art; be that as 1t may, there is a GER
tain incongruity in representing the
Father of His Country without a
stitch to his neck. so to speak.
The present location of the statue
while it protects 1t, obscures the
figure from general view. 1t is too
bad that George should be so secluded
May his statue rest in peace, but not
in pieces. FRANKLIN STEELE.