The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1845-10-09


and almost the action, which belonged to him at
the moment of rendering the highest service to
his country, has always been looked upon by the
Tree and noble minded people of every age, as
the best bequest they could give TO their descen-
dants. In such model, the virtues to which the
republic attributes its greatness are in sumo sort
enduringly personlhed and the posthumous honor
which lmparts an immortal presence in the midst
oil his countrymen To one great public beneaclor,
gives birth to the patriotic emulation which
through succeeding ages, multipes aspirans to
kindred fame.
Ii is not only, then, the national gratitude, but
Just sense of the public interests, wise care of
the national glory, which erects lasting monu-
mens to commemorate the citizens who devote
themselves to the service of the republic. s.
The Congress of great men, who contributed to
found the free government we enjoy, decreed an
equestrian statue TO Washington as the man most
worthy of the renown of our glorious revolution.
1t was TO hand him down TO the remotest poster-
ty In his military character, in the lneaments and
hablmentS which he wore when he achieved the
independence OF his country, that the Congress
voted monument which should present the gen
eral as he appeared the scene of his greatest
exploits. AT that time the fine arts had not at
tanned maturity in our country, adequate to ex-
ecute worthily the design. Now American
scnlptors have arisen, from whom Europe bor
rows the power TO eternze the features of her H.
lustrous men and hence the last Congress took
the first step towards the accomplishment of the
resolution Tor the construction of the equestrian
statue TO Washington. The gratitude and honor
OF the nation imperiously demand the full and inn
mediate execution of the work, which circum-
stances have already too long delayed If our
countrymen should also decree an equestrian
monument 10 the patriotic chief "whu shed his
STRIPPING blood in the revolution" and who closed
the last war for the maintenance of his country's
Independence In blaze of glory, only less bril-
liant than that which achieved that independence
at York Town, it would be equivalent to an in
struction to the approaching Congress to consum-
mate the movement of the last session and the
nation may be gratified by witnessing the eeva-
ton OF fitting memorials to the heroic general who
conquered liberty for his country, and TO him who
preserved it. Snch tributes, offered spontaneous
ly from the national heart to the immortal dead,
are the highest NEED of public honor for The high
est desert OF public service, and wisely to be en-
couraged on proper occasions. the bequeSt of
one age to another, and one of the hest means of
perpetuating the silent, but deep and pervadinp
moral power OF the characters and examples of
the country's worhiest and greatest sons
IL Is proposed TO build the monument To Wash
ington and jackson at the seat of government, for
the reason that this city is the city of the Union
ceded TO it by the States, as the point which con-
centrates the representatives of the States and the
American people, and of foreign governments, and
is calculated. by associating with it the forms of
ilustrous patriots, TO add strength and permanent
cy to the Union itself.
To fulfil the duty intrusted to them by the citi-
Zens of Washington, the committee will appeal,
through authorized agents in every section of the
country, to each patriotic and iberal-minded cli-
zen of the Union
Subscriptions may be made of any amount and
1t Is hoped that an adequate sum may be obtained
IT no subscription exceeded one hundred dollars
but as there may be some mistake in our cacula-
tlon it is also to be hoped that no man of large
means and of liberal spirit, will consider himself
limited In the amount of his contribution by this
suggestion The smallest contribution will be re-
ceived, even the widows mite - for the coun-
try will feel more pride in the multitude of hearts
engaged in this work, than in the amount of mo-
ney. As an acknowledgment to subscribers, aud
as check on all concerned in the collection of
subscriptions, monthly publication will be made
of the names, residence, and occupation ofsubscri-
bers, and of the amount subscribed. and the orig
na lists transferred in stereotype or inscribed on
some permanent material, will be perpetuated in
connection with the monument
1t is the intention of the committee to invest in
some secure funds the sums received in the pro-
gress OF the subscription and so much of the ac-
crulng interest on which, as may be necessary,
will be dedicated to procure the execution of fine
engravings of the statue for the subscribers none
of which ongravngs shall be disposed of in any
other way.
No compensation will be received by any ofthe
committeeman even the treasurer or secretary
for their services Agents authorized to obtain
subscriptions and make collections will be al
lowed reasonable per centage, to be settled by
agreement; and a clerk, who will devote his
whole time to the labor of keeping the accounts,
and in calculating the correspondence of the com
mittee with all parts of the Union, will receive
compensation dependent on the surplus accrung
from the interest on the funded collections IL is
the fixed determination of the committee that not
one cent of the amount collected (reachinp the
treasurer) shall be diverted from the object for
which it is given. And to effect this, adequate
security will be taken to make safe the funds.
wherever lodged publicity will be given in quar-
terly or semi annual statements, of every matter
touching the concern, for the satisfaction of sub
scribeTs.
All the agents Of this committee will be fur.
nshed with letter Of appointment signed by the
chairman and members of the committee, and
counterslgned by their clerk, with their seal an
nexed. No person who cannot produce such
commission is to be recognized authorized by
us.
All who may prefer to do so, may remit the
amount OF their subscriptions directly to the chair
man OF the commlttee-a course which is earnest