The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-03-26
The Washington National Monument.
TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

The Washington National Monument.
TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE
WAsHIseroN NATIONAL MonUmEnr OrrioE,
March 25; 1852.
From the great decrease in the receipts of con.
tributions to the National Monument during the
last six months the Board of Managers feel it to be
their duty to make another appeal to the patriot
| ism Of the American public. They unwilling
to believe that the people Of this country, under
such deep and lasting obligations they to the
founder of their liberties, and feeling, they
must profound sense of gratitude for the inestima
bio services which he rendered to them, will suffer
| a monument commenced in his honor, and to aid
in perpetuating bis name to the latest ages of the
world. to remain unfinished for the want of the
means necessary to complete it. 1t need scarcely
be suggested that fact like this in the history of
our Republic would mott fail efectasting diecredit
on the gratitude and patriotism of its citizens and
prove to the world that republics too apt to be
forgetful Of what is due to themselves and to the
| memory Of those who, under Providence, have
made them great, prosperous, and happy It is
often the fate of the most distinguished and ius-
trious to be nearly forgotten after they have moul
dered in the tomb for half century. In the busy
and ever changing scenes of the world the stage of
life is continuously occupied by those whose acts
memory Of such have preceded them. though
their reputation may have been more brilliant, and
their deeds more glorious. But il 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 countrymen; that to honor
him was but to honor themselves; and that they
were willing and desrous to pay just tribute to
pre- eminent patriotism, and to uncqualled public
and private virtue.
Under this impression society was established,
some seventeen years ago, in the city of Washing.
ton, for the purpose of erecting magnificent
monument to the Father Of his Country" and
the Board of Managers of that Society have, dur.
ing that long interval, made gratuitousiy every
effort in their power. from pure feeling of pa.
triotism and desire to honor his memory, to OBJ
tain the means necessary to accomplish the object
OF its organization. BY unceasing and untiring
exertion they have succeeded in collecting sum
sufficient only to carry up the proposed structure
10 an elevation Of one hundred and five feet above
the surface, about fifth of its intended eeva-
ton; and they now regret to cay that unless the
contributions are larger. and moro frequent than
they have been for the past six months, it will be
impossible to continue the work any further. The
blocks OF stone which have been sent from the diff
iercnt States, associations. &C., to be placed in
the monument, have done but little to add 10
its elevation, though they may contribute to its in
tcrest. That the public may understand how ex.
pensive such q structure must necessarily be, il
may be proper to state that each course of two feet
in height coats upwards Of So Co., though executed
with the strictest regard to economy. The mate
rails and labor. with small annual compensation
allowed TO the superintendent, and a still smaller
to the architect. amount to the expenditure which
has been mentioned; and the Board of Managers
are well satisfied that, had the work been underta.
ken by the Government, il would have cost double
the amount Of the cost of the obelsk 90 far
From two to three courses be completed in
month. which require from four to six thousand dol
lars, while the monthly contributions have not ave-
ragged for the past half year than thousand
dollars. II will therefore, be obvious that the work
must necessarily be stopped IL a ardent and
patriotic feeling does not prevail among the people
OF this country, and 4 more extended and liberal
contribution be not made.
To show with what ease this great object could
be effected, II il only necessary state that three
cents from each white inhabitant of the United
States would be sufficient TO complete the mopu
ment in a few years and yet such appears 10 be
the apathy and indifference existing in relation To
this noble undertaking. that even that small sum
cannot be obtained for 20 patriotic and glorious a
purpose.
In Norway, the three fourths OF the amount ne
cesssry to erect a monument in honor Of Charles
XII. was raised lately by voluntary contributions
in two days; while in the Republic Of the United
States, brought into existence by the valor perse-
verancc. energy, and patriotism Of Washing.
ton-in = nation which now contains a popula-
ton Of nearly twenty five million Of souls. enjoy
ing a freedom, Independence, and prosperity
nowhere else TO be found-one fifth only of
the amount required TO complete a monument
worthy OF the man in whose honor II 10 now
being erected, has, after the most unceasinr
efforts for seventeen years. been contributed. To
the people, the army and navy. Masonic, Odd
Fellows, and other associations, the colleges, scad-
emics, and schools Of the United States, banking
institutions. city and town corporations, &c, APP
plicstions urgently requesting pecunary aid have
been made by circulars addressed 10 ALL and stilI
the contributions received have been insufficient 20
raise the monument beyond it's present elevation.
This 10 painful and Notifying fact. IL will now
become the duty OF the different States Of the Union
TO show the interest they feel in this noble under
taking and TO evince the cstma ton and respect in
-. IL 49, lxII ~ -.