The Democratic pioneer. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1845-1853, 1849-10-12
Washington National Monument,

can People from the close of the War o
the Revolution, to rear some monument t,
the memory of Washington. This was ex
pressed first, by their Representatives il
Congress on 7th day of August 1888, by
the adoption ofthe following Resolution:
! "Resolved Unanimously, ten States being
presently That an Equestrian Statute of Gen
| WARRINGTON be erected in the place where tn,
residence Of Congress shall be established.
The proceedings of Congress on the an
nouncement of the death of Washington
bear testimony, of the regard paid by his
contemporaries to his services and virtues
An address adopted by the Senate, con
tains the following: "Tolose such a mar
at such crisis is no common calamity tc
! the world Our country mourns her Fa-
ther. The Almighty disposer of human
benefactor and ornament. With patriotic
pride we review the life of our Washingtont
compare him with those of other countries
who have been prc-emnent in fame, An
clent and modern names are diminished
before him. Greatness and. guilt have
been TOO often allied; but his fame is
whittier than brilliant The deStroyers OF
nations stood abashcd at his virtue. 1t re-
proved the intemperance of their ambition,
and darkcned the splendorsof victory"
While different States took measures to
construct such monuments, or to express
in some other way, according to their
means, their gratitude and high regard for
the services OF Washington, a society was
organized on the 26th day Of September,
1888, Of the Union, in accordance with the
wishes and sentiments of the great body
of the American people, to construct ma
tional monument, by the voluntary contri-
buttons of all classes, which should be ''on
scale commensurate with the virtue and
ability of the character thus held up as
model ofall future generations" Wash
ington an orphan, at an early age being
cast on the care of an affcctienate mother,
and upon his own resources; he mingled
with the people; was one of them in feel
ing, participated in their labors, shared
their priYations, was with them in the first
western campaign, and suffered with the
soldiers in want, exposure and distress,
during the war of the Revolution; and
when he retired from office, ''having filed
the measure Of his cduntry's glory" he
pursued his favorite occupation of tilling
the ground, AMI was an intelligent prac-
teal farmer. Being one of the people, and
with them in peace and in war-in adver-
sity and in prosperity, it was deemed to
DC an act of justice, to appeal to their
gratitude; to their warm patriotism; to
contribute to rear a monument to their
beloved fellow citizen, "who was first in
war, first in peace and first in the hearts
,f his countrymen."
In the year 1866 there were contrib
lted about $4,000 The fund was placed
n the hands Of Gen. n Townson, Samuel
Harrison Smith, and Thomas Monroe;
gentlemen OF prudence and elevated NOR
u worth, who invested it in stocks, and
he interest has been reinvested from time
o time.
The impression which some gentlemen
that the contributions were
quandered, or had remained idle, were
rroneous. The Board of Managers and
fenerrl Agent have been gratifed, in be-
ng able on many oedosions, to satisfy gen
lemen, by exhibiting to them the books of
that their fears were un-
ounded. The pressure on the business Of
he country which succeeded 1886, arrest
d the collections, and they were not re-
umed until July, 1847. The whole
mount OF the funds, including all the col
,ctions and profits of investments, amount
} about S87, 200.
With this sum the Board of Managers .
ill proceed to carry up the great work, to !
rect which the Society was originally or I
anized. 1t must be manifest, however,
lat structure SO magnificent, as the one !
roposed to be erected, cannot be complet-
/ with means so limited; and one less Q
rand, would neither be credtable to the
merican people, nor worthy of the Illus
ious patriot in whose honor it is to be
ected.
In this noble enterprise the whole people
the United States are interested 1t is
7 them, and them alone, wherever they
ay dwell within the precincts of poptlous
lies or in the quiet Of rural life, on the
ores Of the Atlantic, or in the prairies of
Z far west, that the monument now com
enccd, is 60 be reared.
II cannot be that the counrymen of
ashington. TO whom under Heaven they
e indebted for all the political blessings
ey enjoy, will suiier structure which,
lille it serves to transmit his name to the
est posterity, will commemorate their =
N gratitude, to remain unfinished or un- u
'rthy of his fame and their patrio.ism.-.J( .J(
lis is an object in which al all are in ~
estei and to which all, from The leas. to ID
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