Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-03-21
WASHINGTON NATIONAL MONUMENT

WASHINGTON NATIONAL MONUMENT.
The following letter from distinguished cit-
zen of Virginia. and another from Judge Bprnet
of Ohio, each enclosing 800 towards the erection
of the National M onument to Washington, are
published with an appropriate answer by the Sec
retary, Mr. G. Watterston:
RICHMOND, February %, 1881.
DEAR SIR:--l am reminded by the day TO discharge
grateful duty, which, il had died without discharg-
ing would have disturbed me in nay grave Not doubt
indifference, but the contrary, the very hxedness
OF my purpose perform this duty, has authorized
to wait, as have done, on my convenleDce-ior had
entertained The least fear that any Thing save sudden
death could defeat the tulhllnent OF my design would
have fastened rescue it by immediate execution,
from the dangers of delay This, which is true OF ME,
is true, doubt not, OF thousands. They Go not look
this mighty labor of q nations love and gratitude
as the work of momentary impulse, transient
enthusiasm, to be seized the instant lest it vanish
70 heroes Of day, to statesmen OF the hour, TO the
maSter-sprits OF an emergency-the day. the hour, the
emergency raise their flung and proportioned honors.
Let these pass, and Tomorrow turns 10 new Idols in
whose light the glory OF the former disappears Ihice
fortunate has he been, to whom even second genera
tcn has accorded living and an active homage.
But TO him whose happy lot il was, while performing
the duties required by he day. to do what is required
the hands OF man in all tme-whi!e serving his coun
trymen to serve mankind-who, in striking for his
countys Independence, struck also for the of IL
berry throughout the world-tme, distance, passing
generations OF men bring no observation, leave dim
the disc OF his fame. Half century has clap
sed since he passed from the mortal eyes OF men, and
who has yet arisen to intercept pale the ustre OF
his glory? Where, indeed, is it that the grandeur OF
his nature, through this Augustan interval of the
world or compared with the greatest names OF our
day. mot barren OF greatness is not felt rather to
dwarf the stature of the highest dim the spendour OF
the brightest in this vast constellation oil the living and
the dead
1t may be true that revolutions alone afford occasions
Err 49, oF o1xt,o, L,,,.
not been warning; but where, once and here has
there arisen w ash ingon! We seek in vain through
The pages OF ancient AZ OF modern history tor his
type There have been doubtless as brave
ashe-as wise as JUST as patriotic, as dslnerested but
SO wise and brave so just and patriotic and dis
interested the world has moi produced. Others before
him have died doubtless without stain their names,
but who besides him. without charge of Injustice
without suspicion OF seslness, without faint of am
bon! Many have known how to advance, but who
besides him has known where to stop--tor his
trys good, for his own fame, for an immortal example
OF moderation q nd dislnterestednees!
Indulge not a moments fear OF the ia lure OF the
monument which the nation is raising in his honof-
From wide base oflove, and gratitude, and adms.
ration may rise slowly, indeed, from the very vast
the feeling on hut the depth and sincerity
of that feeling be satisfied with nothing short OF lis
perfect success. Indeed, entertain doubt that it is
this assured belief in the certain success of the work,
and the fixed purpose that shall succeed, that pro-
duces the dilartoriness observable the part of the
public. Men justly feel they may proceed leisureiy,
where the result is sure Living thousands be assured
cherish tho religious pupose TO lay in due their
obations this altar. Other thousands are succeed
ing, who will rejoice that they too will have had the
opportunity Of cooperating in so pous work. Nay,
have no doubt that men OF other lands, the friends
of human progress every WHERE will be found coming
up to beg the privilege oil LAYING their offerings also at
the shrine of the great bene factor OF mankind.
Have no fears, then, from the work Using slowly.
To do consists well with its grandeur, with
indefinite duraiiou with the calm majesty of the cha
racter it emorates, and with the Inevitable law
written in the hearts Of men, that il shall continue to
rise to its perfect consummaton. So far from appre
bending failure it is only in my view subject ofregret
that the plan should not have been that would adj
NIT without injury to it's symmetry Of continual
areement, in order that it might keep pace with
those continual accretions, which, am persuaded, the
moral world is destined from year 10 year forever
add to the fame of Washington.
am, sir, very respectfully yours,
WYNDHAM ROBERTSON.