Year: 1877

We append, below, an extract from a
/ private letter received by a gentleman in
this city, from an eminent critic who has
recently visited Richmond and exam
/ med the models OF the LEE monument.
The points suggested IN relation to the
bad faith of the managers are well
taken, if the managers contemplate such
a course. 1t has long been q desire OF
the Southern people to erect . monu-
ment TO the memory of General LEE,
and, indeed, it is cause TO which any
American, without regard to the section
he halls from, may feel a pride in con-
tributing. The msragers of the LEE
Memorial Association have been reCeiv-
ing contributions, and deeming
that q sufficient amount had
been raised to undertake the
work, they advertised to receive models
from artists, had committee appointed
to make the award. 1t Is understood
that Richmond has a strong local pride
in one Of her own sculptors who was u
competitor, and that when the models
were placed on exhibition it was found
that some others surpassed his in design
and execution. Consequently strong
influence is beng brought to bear to
have the managers reject all OF them
and have q new trial. This course
would be msniteslty unjust to the other
competitors, as it would be to the people
of the other Southern States who have
contributed to the fund, and who want
model selected upon ITS merit alone,
without regard to the residence of the
sculptor.


The name and memory of LEE is very.
dear to the people of the South, and the
work of erecting his monument is watched
with Jealous care by the Southern people
We feel sure from the high character OF
the gentlemen constituting the Board OF
Managers that they will not be inhu-
enced by pressure Of the kind indicated
In the letter, but We deprecate the effort
of the friends of any sculptor to attempt
to influence them in the manner midi
Gated. Let the award be given to the
most meritorious artist. Here is the ex.
tract referred to:


"When the Board of Managers Of the
Lee Monument Association called upon
the artists for model o. an equestriah
statue, they assumed the ground that they
could nj least pay tor the statue. That
Is implied liz the call itself. TO
speak of want OF funds now would
be breach Of faith on the part
Of the State of Virginia, which
would go far towards preventing the
other Southern States from casting their
lot with her, tor fear that she might
treat them with like indlgnlty.


because they cannot afford hand
some pedestal now, there is no reason
why they csnnet pay Tor the statue FIRST
and raise money for the pedestal after
wards.


The South ,oiU contribute TO monu-
ment to General Lee; monument which
IS in truth not merely n tribute to HIM,
out to all the brave dead who fought tor
the lost cause But even II 1t were 10
him alone, where was ever the man who
deserved it more? We may say of oar
immortal, in the words of the lmmortsl
bard:


See, what q grace was seated on this
Hyperion's curIs; the front of Jove him
Ills eye ike Mars, to threaten and com


maud;


4 station like the herald Mercury,


New-lighted on heaven -Kissin- hill;
A combination, and a form, indeed,
Where every god did seem 10 set ms seal,
TO give the world assurance OI a man.