The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-04-27
Local Matters.

The WASHINGTON NATIONAL MONUMENT
There is an even and steady progress evinced in
the prosecution Of this work, yet necessarily cir
cumscribed by the means in hand and accruing.
The materials appear to be all of the best quality,
and the workmanship will, in opinion, COM
pare favorably with any we have ever seen exc
cuted. Our readers are familiar with the plans and
estimates Of this vast enterprise, though some of
them have thought it too stupendous to be con-
summated by the means proposed. In answer
to this, we may remark that it is estimated that
fifty cents contributed by each male citizen over
twenty-one years of age now in the United States,
would be adequate to its completion. II is also be-
leved that sixty feet may with safety be added to
the structure every year. This would require,
from the commencement to the completion of the
obelisk, less than nine years; and three more may
be added for the construction of the pantheon.
Thus, half dime year by each male adult, for
twelve years, will more than suffice.
In a recent rambe amongst the stone cutters and
masons engaged here, we were obligingly favored
by Mr. Roberts, the polite and attentive supervisor
with list of the blocks Of stone presented to the
monument association, and already received, which
We here append;
From MAMA block Of granite, four feet long
two feet high inscribed MAINE, in letters ten
inches high, raised one and half inches on the
face.
From Pennsylvania-A block of white marble,
presented by Daniel o. Hitner, esq, from whose
quarry, in Montgomery county, il was taken II
is inscribed PENNSYLVANIA in sunken letters three
inches high.
From Washington City.-A block Of white mar
BILE, six feet long, two and half feet high pan
elled face; at the bottom Of panel inscribed in
raised letters, The CRY OF WAsHIssroN TO ITs
FOUNDER.
From Delaoars.-A block Of trap-rock, taken
from the battle field at Brandywine. On the face
is "a medallion bust of Washington, over which is
the word Delaware, raised; underneath is ls49.
II also contains the following motto, suggested by
the Hon. J. M. Clayton FIRST TO ADOPT, WILL BE
THE LAST TO DESERT THE CONSTITUTION. II is
four feet long, three high, and has deposited in
cavity cut in the top bed sundry manuscripts, pa
pers, &c.
From Tsnnesste.-A block, from the city Of Nash
vile, of light dove colored limestone, four feet
by two inscribed, NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE. An
other from HAWKINS COUNTY, TENNESSEE, Of a
slightly variegated brown and white MARBLE four
feet by two This block is beautifully lettered. as
above, and very highly polished.
From Arkan,as.-A block Of brownish lime
stone, four feet by two, highly polished.
From Nstc York.-A block Of white marble, pre-
taken from the quarry Of the Messrs. Morgan, in
west Chester county, from which quarry was pro-
cured the marble used in the construction Of the
Custom house at New York, and the General Post
Office in Washington.
The following blocks have also been received, APP
propriately inscribed, viz: From the Franklin Fire
/ Company, Washington city; from the Columbia
| Typographical Society; from the National Grays;
and from George Watterston, esq. Also, one from
Mr. Timothy o'Neal, Of gneiss, obtained from
the Little Falls quarry by Mr. ONeal, and inscribed
TO that effect in sunken letters. Is face is rough,
as taken from the quarry.
There are several blocks on their way 10 Wash
ington, we are informed; and we doubt not the de-
sire deposite memcnto in the walls Of this great
obclisk will induce the examples we have cited "a
be very generally followed.
We would suggest that trees and shrubbery
cannot be built up in day or year, it would be
well to begin the work Of rearing them at once.
WE yesterday saw three wretchcd beings at 20.
lice Office, brought there upon charge Of violating
one Of the corporation ordinances, which imposes q
penalty upon females for leading life Of scandal
and infamy. They were evidently guilty Of all
they had been charged with, and merited the pen
alties Of the law. Imprisonment and labor would
doubtless, prove a blessing 10 them. Yet the re-
Election would arise, how much more grateful "a
the heart-bow much more precious in its results
the efforts that would rightly educate and preserve
from evil, than the stern duty Of inicting the ven
| geance Of the law upon the wrong door. But men,
and the institutions Of civilized life, aim at arrest
ing the torrent in its mad career rather than turn
ing IL Alright at it's fountain source. The ermined
judge, whose voice IL but the vengeance Of the law
is honored Of men, and rightfully; but the teacher
Of serious TRUTH and tho lover Of his Species re-
gardcd only as the imbecilc pedsnt and visionary
theorist The brotherhood OF is still abstrac-
ton, though men have for centuries protested their
belief in it's truth.
GRAssATIcAL.-Things proper in themselves
often appear very common when brought into i'm
proper combination. Thus, however highly one
may esteem tumbler ofpunch, Il would be spoiled