Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1834-02-27
TO THE PEOPLE OF THE U. STATES.

/ The memory Of that illustrious patriot who
achieved the liberties Of his country, and ha,
left, as precious inheritance. the rich bless
ings OF Independence and freedom, is still.
ana VII never cease TO be, fondly cherished
oy ms countrymen. the pilgrim TO Mount
vernon, the spot consecrated by his halIow ed
remains, heaves n sigh when he looks at the
rude and humble sepulehre which contain.
ms ashes, and lsments that no monument has
JET reared its lofty head TO mark a nations
gratitude. u Is true that the "storied urn
the animated bust" or the magnificent maui
soIeum, cannot call back the departed spirit,
or " soothe the dull cold ear Of death ~ but
~ can, and does, manifest the gratitude and
Veneration Of the living, for those who have
passed forever from the stage Of life, and left
behind them the memory OF their patriotism,
their beneficence, and their virtue. The hon.
ors paid By grateful nation to it, distinguish
ed citizens, serve the further purpose Of slim
ulatIng those who como after them to similar
deeds Of greatness and virtue; while the adj
miraiion and respect for the country which
conisrs those hOnors on its children, are more
deeply and ardently felt. The character OF
Washington is identified with the greatness
and glory OF his eountry-it be longs to its his
tory, into which IL has infused moral grand
eur and beauty. lis yerdanI OASIS in the
dreary waste Of the world, on which tho mind
loves 90 rcpose, and the patriot and philantbro-
Pisi delights IN dwell. Such a beng but sell
dom appears 10 illustrate and give splendor
10 the annals Of mankind. tie - worthy oC
the most glorious periods Of aniiquty, and
the country which gave him birth should take
pride m bestowing the most lasting postum
nous honors on his name. The present age
should not pass away without showing the
gratitude and Venoration DIRE to bis memory,
oy The erection Of a monument, which, like
TIC pyramids Of Egypt, shall fatigue time by
Us duration. The Representatives Of the peo-
pie have twice made an effort 60 eSinoe tbi,
respect aud yehe ration; first, BY \ solemn
pledge 60 build monument 10 his memory.
Which has never been redeemed, and ncxt,by
proposing b. deposte his body in the centre Of
the Capitol. aud % erect over u an equestrian
statue Of bronze. And though Mary land and
some other States 81 the Union, have stood
forward IN THIS noble enterprise, by the cree I
ton Of a monument and statue Of Washing.
ton, stll his memory would seem o. be be-
elected by the nation, and the charge Of indif- I
Terence aud apsthy yet lies against those who 4
have survived him. The people themselves.
The countrJmsn Of Washington, want. II 4,
Oeiieyed. bot an opportunity 20 convince the L
world that such AZ impulatiOn Il unfounded
and this opportunity y about % be Afforded.
society has been established IN tie Sic.
ropoin 81 The United States, for the special .
purpose Of erecting IN tho city which be
founded, and which bears bis name, a Monu.
nent, Whose dimensions and magnihcence
shall BE- commensurate with the greatness and
gratitude n Tie Hation which gaze him birth
" = designed % b. emphaiieally asfisnai. by
bulldog with Tie voluntary contributions
OF the People u TIE United states. Toere.
~ Waste inhabiiant u this country, there
lore oid shd young. male and female. en- an
peal v noW nsde, With lhs assurance thst itl
will not be made " vain. On few wesk.
agents Of ihc sOeisiy viii ~ Authorizes a.
call upyn them Tor such amount Of eootr,bu.