The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1850-07-03
washinu,on National Monument.

Washington National Monument.
monument to the memory of WASHINGTON
It is generally known, is at length being erect
ed at Washington city. A full description o
this great work cannot here be given, but tn,
"design embraces the idea OF grand circula
!, colonnded building, $50 feet in diameter, ant
100 feet high, from which springs an obellsi
shaft, 20 feet at the base, and 5Oo feet nigh
this will be constructed first.
ssThe vast rotunda, forming the grand base o
the monument, is surrounded by 80 columns o
massive proportions, being IL feet in diameter
and As feet high, elevated upon lofty base o.
stylobate Of 90 feet elevation and 300 feet square
surmounted by an entablature 20 feet high, ano
crowned by massive ballustrade' 10 tee
in height" ..-. @ Il
| ssThe cornerstone of this monument was laid
on the 4th Of July, 1s4S, with imposing ceremo
MES, in the presence of numerous assemblage
of our citizens from different parts of the United
States. The foundation of the obelisk is laid
eighty -one feet square, eight feet below the sur
face of the ground, and is contracted SO as to be
ffty-eight feet ten inches at the top, at an ele-
walton of twenty five feet of solid masonry.
"The obelisk is commenced at the height OF
seventeen feet above the ground, fifty five feet
square, cased with marble, with walls fifteen
feet thick, leaving cavity of twenty-five feet
1t will be ascendcd by stairs in the inside, and
by machinery, to an elevation of five hundred
feet
"The purchase of materials and the general
construction of the obelisk, are committed by
| the Board of Managers to three of their num-
Der, denominated Building Committee, who
spend much time in advancing the work. The
Board meet weekly, and no member of it, or OF
the Building Committee receives any compen.
| sation.
"The most rigid economy is observed in all
the expenditures.
"The obclisk is now fifty-two feet high above
the surface of the earth. The work has been
carried on with unremitting vi gor since its COM
mencement and no unnecessary delay will be
allowed to retard its prosecution until complet-
ed
The cost of the obelisk, which is first to be
constructed, is estimated at $3.50, 1000, and that
of the obelisk and pantheon, forming the entire
monument; at $1,122,OO0. About 100000
have been collected, which is mostly expended,
and the Board eloquent in their appeals for
funds, that the work may be expedited.
Nearly all the States have shown their appre-
citation of the object, the legislatures having Sc
verally sent block of marble or other material,
with the coat of arms and name of the State en-
graved on it, These will be conspicuously pla-
ced in the obelisk. But for the requisite means
to carry out the design, the voluntary contribu-
tons of the American people will be relied up
on.
And in the established character of the Board,
and the well known honesty and efficiency of
the General Agent, Hon. Elisha Whittlesy, of
Ohio, who for several years has devoted himself
with zeal to this object, the public have the full
est guaranty that the funds contributed will
be most faithfully and we'll used.
Little effort has been made in this region, and,
with the view of facilitating collections, have
been appointed agent for the northwest, embra-
cling Wisconsin, Iowa, and the fourth, fifth,
sixth, and seventh Congressional Districts in H.
lnos, being al the counties between the HI
nois and Mississippi rivers, and also including
Jersey, Green, Macoupin, Sangamon, Logan,
De Witt, Champaign, and Vermillion, and all
the counties lying north of them.
All should have opportunity to contribute
to this sacred object, to which most will give
with pleasure Contributors of 8 and over, re-
ceive large or small engravings Of the monu-
mcnt, or of Washington, or both, as they may
choose and according to the amount given, which
may be framed. On them will be given GER
tifcate in the name of the donor, showing the
amount contributed.
To make the work thorough, good, efficient
agents, of character and influence, acho iorc the
object, must be got in every settlement, town or
county, who must pledge themselves to call on
every inhabitant in their several Districts
They will be furnished with circulars and all
necessary information, and also 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. Subscriptions may
be made payable wholly or in part at future
day. Having given bonds and security myself,
| must require the same from others.
The good and patriotic throughout the land
are interesting themselves in behalf of this no.
Il 10 nd 81 Lot
be made to me for agencies. The North West
this fairest, richest portion Of our country's
hertage-will surely respond with its accustom
ed generosity to this call in fulflment of the ma
tons most sacred duty.
We are impelled no less by duty than by love,
to honor and revere the memory of the worthless,
by whose sacrifices and toll our blood bought
liberties were achieved-of those by whose wis
dom and judgment, with no example to initiate,
the broad and deep foundations were laid, and
the beautiful, Symmetrical superstructure begun,
of this Republic, which even already towers
high among the highest powers Of earth. We
would DO what was in our power to commence
rate their acts, and testify our gratitude for the
inestimabe blessings they gave us.
But among them is one to whom all eyes turn,
when is named the Revolution, and the almost
equally trying period that succeeded, when strife
and dissentions as to the organization of our
. government, came near destroying the 1rultS OF
that costly contest. One there is among these
world-redowned heroes and patriots, SO far ex-
allied above his compeers, that, by common con-
sent, he is called THE FATHER OF HIS CouN-
TRY. What have we done in token of our OBJ
legations to this greatest and best of p
What tribute shall his Ills mi hty peop.c 6: over
&c, 600, 900, render to him who, more than any
other man, gave them their greatness and glory?
He needs no monument. The name of him
who was s'Frst in War, First in Peace, and
First in the Hearts of his countrymcn,' will live
and shine with increasing brightness, when the
marble pile we rear shall have crumbled into
dust. But we shame ourselves if we longer
neglect to show that we are grateful, and this
plan of monument has been adopted and rec
commended by the leading minds Of the Nation,
Of all political sentiments, as the most suitable
emblem. ...s....
Let us in the West not be backward in doing
our part. Let us contribute as we can, and
give our neighbors and friends an opportunity
to do so likewise; and let the necessary steps be
at once taken. J.. S. WRIGHT.
Chicago, .aprH4th, 1850.
OUTRAGE AT SAUT STE. MARIA.-Wc learn
from from, fhoS on1f that