The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1852-04-17
To the American People.

From the great decrease in the re-
ceipts of contributions to the National
Monument during the last six months.
the Board of Managers OF the Munu-
ment Association feel it TO be their duty
| to make another appeal TO the patriot
ism of the American public. They are
unwilling to believe that the people of
this county. under such deep and last
ing obligations as they are to the
founder of their liberties, and feeling,
as they must, profound sense of graft
tude FOR the inesiimable services which
he rendered 10 them. viii suffer monu-
ment commenced in his honor, and to
aid in perpetuating his name to the
latest ages of the world, 10 remain un-
finished for the want of the means
necessary to complete 1t. 1t need
scarcely be suggested that fact like
this in the history Of our republic wonld
not fail TO reflect lasting discredit on
the gratitude and patriotism of its citi-
zens and prove TO the world that re-
publics are too apt TO be forgetfuI of
what is due to themselves and to the
memory of those who, under Provi-
dence, have made them great, prosper
Gus and happy. 1t is often the fate of
the most distinguished and illustrious
10 be nearly forgotten after they have
mouldered in the tomb for haIf a CEN
tury. ln the busy and ever-changing
scenes of the world the stage of life is
continually occupied by those whose
acts excite the interest of the living.
and exclude the memory of such as
have preceded them, though their repu-
,ation may have been more brilliant
and their deeds more glorious. But it
was believed that Washington was one
to whom the American people owed
the greatest and most lasting debt of
gratitude, and to whose memory every
honor should be paid by his country
men; that to honor him was but TO
honor themselves, and they were will
ing and desirous to pay a just tribute
TO pre-eminenl patriotism and TO un-
equalled public and private virtue.
Under this impression, a society was
ablished some seventeen years ago,
in the city of Washington, for the pur-
pose of erecting a magnificent monu-
ment to the Father of his Country; and
the Board of Managers of that society
have, during that. long interval, made
gratnitous1y every effort in their power,
from pure feeling Of patriotism and
desire TO honor his memory. to obtain
the means necessary TO accomplish the
object of its organization. By unceas-
ing and untiriug exertion they have
succeeded in collecting sum sufficient
only to carry up the proposed structure
to an elevation of one hundred and FIVE
feet above the surface. about one-ffth
of its Intended elevation; and they now
regret to say that, unless the contribu-
tions are larger and more frequent than
they have been for the past six months,
and it will be impossible to continue
the work any further The blocks of
stone which have been sent from the
different States, associations, &c, to be
placed in the monument, have done but
little to add TO its elevation, though
they may contribute to its interest
That the public may understand how
expensive such structure must neces-
sariiy be, it may be proper to state that
each course of two feet in height costs
upwards of 1000 though executed with
the strictest regard TO economy. The
materials and labor, with small an
nual compensation allowed to the su-
perintendent, and a still smaller to the
architect, amount to the expenditure
which has been mentioned; and the |
Board of Managers are we'll satisfied |
that, had the work been undertaken by
the Government, it would have cost