Weekly national intelligencer., 1851-04-12
THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT.

THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT.
Copy of a Letter TO the President of the United
STATES, as President Of the Washington Ma
ional Monument association.
STATE OF NKw YoaK,
ExEcUTIvE DEPARTMEsT,
ALBANY, MARCH ~, 1851.
SIR The Legislature Of New York having directed the
preparation and presentation Of appropriate tablet for the
Washington National Monument, becomes my pleasing
duty complete the execution of this object by forwarding
to you the finished block is sent the simple but sgn-
can token by which the deep allegiance of this State to our
counys creates. may be shown forth to those of coming
generations who shall approach this monumental shrine, con-
secated alike Washington and nationality 1t is the
pledge Of attesaton by which three millions of free people
would substantate their grateful appreciation of the services
and character the who perfectly harmonized great
and goodness that becomes folly and eulogy
but to acknowledge the brightness of the sum- Our
national history is indeed an epic Of which Washington the
hero but hero borrowing nought Of his greatness from
ec ancies In his career history and poetry The
Constitution and Federal Union, which he largely con-
trbuted and to which his administration the consum-
mating SEAL "rose like an exhaIation" embody in
gbe reality that spirit of deep and benevolent wisdom which
animated and guided him during long life Of great deeds
So truly the spirit and character Of Washington reflected
in the institutions which spang into existence beneath his
fostering care would be contradiction to admire him
and cherish Them The people Of this State have
left doubtful their actonate regard for Washington for the
liberty he achieved and nurtued and the institutions that
he loved And now, when the haowing influences Of time
have descended him and them, melowng their hues of
glory and touching them with the dust of consecraon, the
Of this Commonwealth about to unearn those
lessons of yeneraon for Constitutional Union and its
founders which nculcaed by every domestic social and
political influence Temporary passions may disturb this
gard and the great deep Of patriotic fidelity, yet how in
significant the compared to the mighty Of true
hearted allegiance Whenever the heat and anmosy engen
dered by sectional obscure the any portion
Of coun,ymen, is specially grateful to those
patriotic abors from which this noble Conederacy of
States.
It cannot but strengthen devotion to the Constitution
recall the many difficulties which had to be in its
formation, and the liberal compromises by which alone be-
came possible
The Washington Monument will be shrine of patriotic
for succeeding generations II will promote national
feeling by furnishing ga local habitaon and home for the
memories of this young nations great struggle for freedom
and independence But should the powers of darkness
prevail to extinguish national unity, this
ment would become finger of 1t would stand but
mock and torture with thousand fantasies of gories u-
realized by default Of worth and nobleness ourselves The
world has monument wholly melancholy in its memo
this would be- should it survive the Union Of these
States.
The tablet contains but the simple coat of of New
York The occasion too suggestive of patriotic sentiments
to permit the choice Of any particular There is, how
over enough Of meaning and fitness in the Of our
armsss Excelsior 1t is the practice Of noble
look hopefully through the future the attainment
higher ends than those for which they contend From
this aspiring spring all great actions.
nobe-souled poeto sister State has very truhuy and
beautifully clothed the deep meaning Of our Excelsior in
fitting poetic drapery. The earnest struggle Of mind
possessed Of high resolves is almost characteristic of
people, and which they Of their greatness.
The spirit Of noble aspiration which Excelsior embo-
dies habua with Washington, with all who truly
great and good It seems therefore, well fitted for place Of
honor in a monument to his memory.
Permit me, sir through you, express the Association
which you preside, my grateful estimate of its abors
and my anxious desire that the immortal work which the
object Of its endeavor may be brought early
nation.
The block will be delivered by the bearer of this letter.
Col. RoBERT H. MoRRIs, one Of my military aids
have the honor to be- with high respect your obedient
servant, WASHINGTON HUNT.
To the PRESIDENT Of the Washington
National Monument Association.