The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-11-21

From l1 National InlsliigsReo.
Monument 40 Cooper, ths Novelist.
AT q meeting held in the city OF New York by
literary and others, for the purpose Of taking
the necessary measures for rendering suitable hon
ors 10 the memory of MIR. Cooper, IL was suggested
by Judge Duer that a monument to the memory
OF this distinguished American novelist should be
erected in the city Of Washington. Washington
Irving though he expresses an opinion in favor Of
New York as the most appropriate locale for his
monument, observes; al am, perhaps, little too
local in my notions this matter; Cooper emphat-
icaIly belongs to the nation, and his monument
should be placed where il would be most in public
view Judge Duer's idea, therefore, may be the
best" am happy that both Judge Duer and Mr.
Irving agree in opinion thata monument 10 Cooper
should be erected in the metropolis OF the United
States. IL lie certainly the most appropriate place
for one who belongs not alone to the State OF New
York but to the hole country, and whose reputa-
ton is national. Washington, therefore, should
be the place in which his monument should be
erected because Washington, the capital OF the
United States, now contains the remains oil many
disting uished public men, over which monuments
and tombs have been erected, and where the great
National Monument 20 Washington, and one 10
General jackson, now in the course oil erection
The remains OF ex-Vice Presidents Tompkins and
Gerry, those Of many distinguished members Of
Congress and officers of the Government, and
Pnckney and Writ repose here and all who come
10 this city never fail TO Welt these mementoes Of
the respect and affection oil surviving and tender
relatives and grateful people Washington ls'
moreover, the most proper place Tor the monuments
of all who have acquired national reputation, In
which the whole country, and not a part oil II
alone feels pride Ii here that assemble from
all parts of the world from time to time, iunctona-
ries travellers and citizens of the United States who
wcpld thus have opportunity of learning the his
torn those who have given brlliancy tothe charac
ter of their country in the various walks OF LIE IN
which they have been dstin guished Literature and
hea hop
itary or parliamentary eminence; and the great,
whether scientific, literary, artistic or political,
should be alike honored by the nation and respected
by their countrymen. Westminster Abbey contains
the monuments of the most distinguished poets,
orators heroes, and statesmen, &c, OF Great
Britain; and Washington, the capital OF the nation,
should contain the monuments of all who have
given reputation to their country, or where CRATE
full testimonials of the gratitude and respect OF
the nation and Of friends should be seen.
hope. therefore, that the suggestion Of Judge
Duer and Mr.. Irving may be carried into
execution, and that the proposed monument
10 Cooper may be erected in this city alone;
and while indulge this hope, must be permitted
at the same time to express my regret and aston
ishinent that no monument tomb marks the al
most unknown spot where repose the remains OF
one who threw blaze of glory around the forensic
character of his country, and gave to American
eoquence, well as to public and private virtue,
its highest charm-I mean William Writ
While speaking of monuments TO the memory oil
the iustrous dead, it may not be improper In this
u
ments should be erected by Congress in honor OF
those who once presided the destinies OF their
country, and who are now no more The Monu'
ment Place would be an appropriate location Tor
such structure structures, dedicated 10 the
memory of the two Adamses, Jefferson, Madison,
Monroe, Harrison, Polk, and Taylor. Washing,
toms Monument is now rising to the skies, and
will be one worthy of the people and OF the great
patriot in whose honor it ia being erected; and
Jackson's will soon be completed, and as speci-
men of art will be perhaps not less conspicuous
In relation to the amiable and excellent Madisoh'
the Richmond Republican states that "thc former
seat Of President Madison (Montpeher) tels us
that there is the rudcst headstone to mark
the spot where the remains of the lustrious man
are deposted. IL is indeed notifying fact that
one of Virginias most distinguished sons should be
thus neglected in the grave few years, and
who shall say, in the strange mutations and vicls-
STUDIES of time, that the ploughshare may NOT
rudely disturb the ashes of the mighty dead 1t
may BIO remarked here, as a singular OMISSION
on the part of the Commonwealth, that neither
public monument, nor statue, nor painting mas eoe'
bsen erected to Mr.. Madison" This is discredita-
bIe not only to the State in which he was born,
but to the ration to which he rendered such lnl.
portant services. Let the memory, therefore, Oh
all who have been elevated to the Executive CHAIR be
honored by an enduring monument IN the metropo-
lis of the nation that their names and patriotc ser
vices and sacrifices may be known and held in CRATE
full remembrance by their countrymen. Mr. Win
throp in a speech delivered at Acton celebration
in October last, stated that. in an interview he had
with the late j. q. Adams in the House oil Repre-
sentatives prior to his death, he said that "every
day, after saying his prayers to God, he was re-
quested to repeat those exquisite stanzas OF Collins
and which shall never forget. the tears courslng
down his cheeks, and his voice every now and then
choked with emotion
elbow sleep the brave who sink to rest
BY all their country's wishes blest!
When Spring, with dewy fingers cold,
Returns to deck their halowed mould,
She there shall dress sweeter sod
Than Fancy's feet have ever trod.
"By fairy hands their knel is rung,
BY forms unseen their dirge is sung;
There Honor comes, pilgrim gray,
To bless the turf that wraps their clay,
And Freedom shall while repair
To dwell, weeping hermit. there"