Year: 1877

LETTER OF THE LADIES' LEE-MoHUMEST
COMMITTEE TO TIE COMMISSIONERS OF TIE
LEE MONUMENT AsSoCIATIoN.-Thc COM
munication OF the commissioners on the
subject OF the Lee monument makes it ne
ccssarv for full and fair understanding OF
the positon OF both committees to publish
| the letter addressed 10y the ladies to Gov
| ernor kempcr and others in response to an
| invitation to be present ut the recent meet
| ing for the consideration OF models for an
| equestrian statue OF General Il. r. Lee.
/ The followin" is the letter Of the Ladies' Lee
| Monument Committee to the Commissioners
| of the Lee Monument Association:
RICHMOND, VA, November 13, 1877.
| 10 the Board Of Commissioners OF the Lee
! Monument Association:


| Gentlemen.-I am directed by the Ladies'
| Lee Monument Committee to express to you
| their thanks for your courtesy in inviting
| them to be present ut the meeting OF your
| Board the 18th Of this month, when you arc
to decide as to the acceptance OF one OF the
models now on exhibition OF an equestrian
statue OF General Lee.


As on the choice Of a model for such a
monument will depend the difference be-
tween having one TO which our people can
point with pride and in having one which
will be but an object of unfriendly criticism
and disapproya!; between having monll-
mcnt which in its conception and execution


will be commensurate with the greatness OF
the man it is intended to honor and in hay
ing one unworthy alike OF him and or those


who erected it; we feel the full weight OF
the responsibility which has so unexpected


ly fallen upon us.


Having, as untrayelIed Firginians, the
I;rtr rp
approaching the merits and criticising the
defects OF such work OF art as the model
at the best can but shadow FORTH we sum-
moncd to our aid gentlemen Of culture,
whose residence abroad and familiarity
with the masterpieces H art gave them the
right to Judge for US, We also consulted
the wishes OF several distinguished men,
bers OF the Army OF + orthern Virginia,
and had the benefit OF tho opinion, so far
as the question OF likeness is concerned, OF
one OF General Lees sons. From these
different sources we received the unani-
nous advice not to accept any one OF the
models now offered. The time designated
for the preparation Of models has been too
short to allow even our own talented young
artists full opportunity for the display OF
their skill and genius, and has ctfectually
excluded from the arena Of competition the
talents Of great European artists.


Acting therefore in accordance with our
own views on the subject, as well as with
those OF the gentlemen just referred to, we
must respectfully decline your courteous
invitation to be present at the meeting Of
vour Board, as we could not agree to the
acceptance Of either one OF the models now
on exhibition. We arc strengthened in the
belief that our decision is right by the con-
yction that where so much Is ut stake
it would be unwSc to act with haste,
which is the more unnecessary since the
funds in hand are not more than fourth OF
the sum needed for the erection OF 4 monu-
mcnt worthy OF our great captain.


As this monument is to stand through all
ages as an evidence of his countrymen's de-
votion to his memory, and OF their grateful
appreciation OF the lustre which his lofty
character and great deeds have shed upon
their history, we feel thar its creation should
be the highest effort in modern art practica-


bic to obtain.


We would say, in conclusion, that though


our funds were originally intended for an
equestrian statue, yet we are by no means
bound to limit ourselves to such monu-
ment, and that, both rs to its character and
location, we have only one aim in view,
which is to secure that which, being the no.
blest and most beautiful, will be the most
appropriate.


Most respectfully yours,


SARAH n. RANDOLPH,


Secretary Of the Ladies' Lee Monument


Committee.