Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-02-25
TO THE PEOPLE OF THE q. STATES

| The memory of that illustrious patriot who
achieved the liberties of his country and has
left, as precious inheritance, the rich blessings
of independence and freedom, is still, and Will
never cease to be, fondly cherished by his coun-
trymen. The pilgrim to Mount Vernon the
spot by his hallowedremans, heaVes
sigh when he looks at the rude and humble Sc
pulchre which contains his ashes, and laments
that no monument has yet reared its lofty head
to mark nations gratitude. 1t is true that the
'sstoried urn-the animated bust" or the mag
nifcent mausoleum, cannot call back the de-
parted spirit, or "soothe the dull cold ear of
death;' but it can, and does, manifest the graft
ktude 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 benefcence, and their virtue. The honors
paid by grateful nation to its distinguished CT
tizens, serve the further purpose of stimulating
those who come after them to similar deeds OF
i greatness and of virtue; while the admiration
! and respect for the country which cOnfers those
honors on its children are more deeply and ar
IDENTIFY felt. The character of Washington is
identified with the greatness and glory of his
country-it belongs to its history, into which it
has infused moral grandeur and beauty. 1t is
a verdant oasis in the dreary waste OF the world,
on which the mind loves to repose, and the patriot
and phianthropist delight to dwell. Such be-
ing but seldom appears to illustrate and give
splendor to the annals of mankind. He IS Wor-
thy of the most glorious periods OF antiquity, and
the country which gave him birth should take
pride in bestowing the most lasting posthumous
honors on his name. The present age should
not pass away without showing the gratitude
and veneration due to his memory, by the erec-
| ton of monument, which like the pyramids of
Egypt shall fatigue time by its duration. The
REPRESENTATIVES of the People have twice made
an effort to evinCe this respect and veneratlon;
! first, by solemn pledge to build a monument
>.1l>
ed, and next, by proposing to deposite his bo-
dy in the centre of the Capitol, and to erect
over it an equestrian statue of bronze And
| though MARYLAND, and some other States OF the
Union have stood forward in this noble enter
prise by the erection of a monument and sta
tue of Washington, still his memory would seem
to be neglected by the nation and charge ofin-
difference and apathy yet lies against those who
have survived him. The people themselves, the
countrymen of Washington, want, it is bellev-
ed, but an opportunity to convince the world
that such an imputaton is unfounded; and this
opportunity is about to be afforded
| A society has been established in the Metrop-
oils ofthe United States, for the special purpose
oferecting in the city which he founded, and
which bears his name, Monument whose di-
mansions and magnifcenCe shall be commensu-
rate with the greatness and gratitude of the ma
ton which gave him birth. 1t is designed to be
emphatically national, by building it with the
jVOlunCdTy vi vi VIC ~ ~
To every white inhabitant ofthis country, there
fore, old and young, male and female, an APP
peal is now made, with the assurance that it will
not be made in vain. In few weeks agents OF
the Society will be authorized to call upon them
for such amount Of contribution as it may be
found convenient to grant; and that all may
have an opportunity to contribute to this great
national object, it has been determined by the
Society that no larger sum than one dollar from
each will be received.
1t is believed that the mingled feeling of re-
spect and veneration for the memory of the IL
: lustrious Father of his Country, is so deep and
glowing in the heart of every Americ m, that
the total amount of the offerings thus made will
afford the means of erecting Monument whose
splendor will be without parallel in the world,
and which shall manifest to future ages that the
countrymen of WASHINGTON, now living, were
5 capable of justly estimating the high worth, the
patriotism, and public virtues of him who has
left so precious and invaluable legacy to man.
kind, in the freedom, independence, and pros
Iperity of his country.
By order of the Society.
!, GEO. WATTERSTON, Secretary.
WASHINGTON February 22d 1884.