Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 17.djvu/204

 196 Southern Historical Society Papers.

Some confusion arising from several associations collecting money for the same object, the collections by each were doubtless somewhat retarded.

In March, 1884, by an act of Assembly, the Lee Monument Asso- ciation and the Ladies* Lee Monument were consolidated, but the two did not at once act in unison.

During the administration of Governor Kemper a law was passed constituting the Governor, the Treasurer and the Auditor of the State a board of managers for the Lee Monument Association. The Soldiers* Association disbanded and turned over to this board their funds, and by the zeal and efficiency of the secretary, Colonel S. Bas- set French, collections were pushed and there was considerable addi- tions to the fund. An unsuccessful effort was made to unite with the Ladies* Association.

This association being anxious to secure a model and an artist for the work, made inquiries of those well versed in such matters as to the best living sculptors ; for we are authorized to say that the ladies were positive on two points: one was that they themselves were not competent critics in art, and the other, that nationality should have nothing to do with the selection of a sculptor — a statue of General Lee being considered worthy to command the best artistic talent of the world. As their inquiries have resulted in the selection of M. Mercie as the sculptor, and the completion of his statue, a history of them will not only be interesting, but it will prove, even to that large part of the public who will not view it with the artist's eye, that no pains have been spared, that the end justifies the means, and that we have secured for the statue of General Lee the best artistic talent of the world.

SEEKING A SCULPTOR.

With this object Miss Randolph opened a correspondence with the wife of a member of the American Legation in Berlin. This amiable and cultivated woman cordially gave her aid and sought information on the subject from a gentleman holding a high position in the house- hold of the Princess Imperial and thoroughly informed in all matters of art. He named two distinguished German sculptors, Bagas and Otto, to either of whom the work might be safely entrusted, and photographs of their best work were sent for inspection. As the matter progressed and took shape, the ladies called in as consulting members Colonels Wilfred E. Cutshaw and Archer Anderson, by whose advice they profited greatly in all their subsequent measures.