Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-06-14
WASHINGTON NATIONAL
MONUMENT.


A monument 10 the memory of WASH
rNGToN, it is generally known, is at length
being erected at Washington city. A
full description of this great work can
not here be given, but the "design en-
braces the idea of grand circular colon
AIDED building. $50 feet in diameter, and
100 feet high from which springs an
obelisk shaft, 20 feet at at the base and
500 feet high; this will be constructed
first.
.The vast rotunda. forming the grand
base of the monument, is surrounded by
80 columns Of massive proportions, be
ing IL feet in diameter, and As feet high,
elevated upon lofty base or stylobate
of 20 feet elevation and 300 feet square,
surmounted by an entablature 20 feet
high, and crowned by a massive balus-
trade, Is feet in height"
"The cornerstone OF this monument
was laid on the 4th of July, ls4s, with
imposing ceremonies, in the presence Of
numerous assemblage Of our cilizens
from different sections of the United
States. The foundation of the obelisk
is laid eishty-one feet square, eight feet
below the surface of the ground, and is
contracted so as 10 be hity-eigh, feet ten
inches square at the top, at an elevation
of twenty-five feet of solid masonry.
1.-The obelisk is commenced at the
height of seventeen feet above the ground,
fifty-fve feet square, cased with marble,
with walls fifteen feet thick, leaving a
cavity Of twenty five feet. 1t will be
assembled by stairs in the inside, and by
machinery, to an elevation of five hun
dred feet.
"The purchase of materials, and the
general construction Of the obelisk, are
committed by the Board Of Managers,
10 three Of their number, denominated a
Building Committee, who spent much
time in advancing the work. The Board
meet weekly, aid no member Of it or
of the Building Committee receives any
compensation.
.''rhe most rigid enconomy is observed
in all the expenditures.
s.The obelisk is now fifiy-two feet
high above the surface of the earth.-
The work has been carried on with un-
remitting vigor since its commencement,
and no unnecessary delay will be allowed
to retard its prosecution until completed" I"
The cost of the obelisk, which IS first
10 be constructed, is estimated at $685.
900, and that of the obelisk and pantheon,
forming the entire monument, at 81, ,l22.-
900. About 100000 have been col
lected, which is mostly expended. and
the Board are eloquent in their appeals
for funds. that the work may be expedi-
ted.
Nearly all the States have shown their
appreciation of the object, the legislatures
having severally sent block of marble
or other material, with the coat of arms
and name of the State engraved on it,
These will be conspicuously placed in
the obelisk. But for the requisite means
to carry out the design, the voluntary
contributions of the American people
will be relied upon.
And in the established character OF
the Board, and the well known honesty
and efficiency of the General Agent,
Hon. ELISHA WHITTLEsEY, of Ohio,
who for several years has devoted him.
self with zeal to this object, the public
have the fullest guaranty that the funds
contributed will be faithfully and well
used.
Little effort has been made in this
region, and, with the view Of facilitating
collections, have been appointed agen.
for the Northwest, embracing Wisconsin,,
Iowa, and the fourth, fifth, sixth, and
seventh Congressional Districts in llli-
nois, being all the counties between the
Illinois and Mississippi rivers. and also
including Jersey, Greene. Macoupin,
Sangamon, Logan, De Witt, Champaign.
and Vermilllon, and all the counties
lying north of them.
All should have an opportunity to con-
tribute to this sacred object, to which
the most will give with pleasure. Con-
tributors of 81 and over receive large
or small engravings Of the monument, or
Of Washington. or both, as they may
choose aud according to the amount
given, which may be framed. On them
will be given a certificate in the name of
The donor, showing the amoun. con,ribu-
ted.
TO make the work thorough, good,
efficient agents, of character and infiu-
ence, soho loUe the object, must be got in
every settlement, town or county, who
mus, pledge themselves to call on every
inhabitan, in their several districts
They will be furnished with circulars
and all requisite information, and also a
subscription book in which the donors
are expected to write their names. A
room is to be prepared for these books
in the monument, and they will be class
ed by States, counties, &c. Subscrip-
tons may be made payable wholly or in
part at future day. Having given
bonds and security myself, must re-
quire the same from others.
The good and patriotic throughout the
land are interesting themselves in behalf
of this noble cause, and trust applica-
iions will at once be made to me for
agencies. The North est, this fairest,
richest portion of our couniry's heritage
H.. n 4 .