The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-08-25
FOR THE REPuBLIc-l
washington and jackson.

2 ~ washington and jackson.
regret exceedingly that any thing should have
been said in relation the refusal OF the House of
Representative to make an appropriation for the
Washington National Monument. II was not
asked for by the Society, nor was it expected by
them. resolution, ~ stated by MIR. Bowie, OF Ma
ryland, had been adopted almost unanimously by
Congress in 1899, the exception being Jackson, at
forwards General and President, and Mr.. Giles, OF
Virginia, authorizing the erection Of marble mon
ument in the city Of Washington to the memory Of
the great patriot who had just died. This resolution
having become dead letter on the journals OF Con-
gress for near half century, few citizens OF Wash
ington. influenced by that feeling of patriotism
which should animate every American heart, form
ed association for the purpose OF erecting mon
ment to the memory ofthe great Father Of his Coun
try by the voluntary contributions Of his country
men, which should do honor 10 him, well to
those who might contribute to SO noble an object.
II was and is still intended to be the work of the
people, aud not the Government, which had
long neglected 10 honor his memory. For this pur-
pose they appealed to the former, whose patriotism
and gratitude they conceived TO be still ardent and
undying. They said to them: " Americans let
not this generation pass away before you prove to
the world that the memory Of your beloved chief
ia still held in veneration and his great and
services still cherished in your hearts; that the
cold neglect 80 long evinoed shall no longer dis
grace the character of your country, and that you
still possess tho patriotism and feeling which be-
come the countrymen of Washngton.' This ap
peal has been answered, after an effort of
teen years, by tho contribution OF sum, including
interest investments, sufficient only to raise the
monument to an elevation of lib feet. when the
paltry contribution OF t,oo cents head by the whole
81 Lit lc,a hnar
enough 10 complete it, and make it an object wor-
thy Of the countrymen Of the llustrious patriot in
whose honor it was erected. Mankind will be
prsed to learn that for this noble and patriotic OBJ
ject men were found in Congress cold and insen-
sible enough to oppose even the donation of
small portion Of public ground, a suitable site
for such structure; and now, when at
tempt ia made by patriotic member Of the
House OF Representatives to get an appropriation
to aid the people, and participate with them in the
glory Of rearing this magnificent memorial to the
honor of the great benefactor of his country and
the world it declared out of order by the chair
man of the committee, who few days after
pronounced a similar proposition to appropri-
ate five thousand dollars for the pedestal of
the statue Of jackson in order. This very
strange Inconsistency has been attempted to
be justified by Mr., b. b. French, of this city. on
ument had been granted to the Monument Associa-
ton, therefore it out of order and unconstitu-
tional to appropriate money for the structure now
in the course Of erection ON it but q site had
been merely assigned for the proposed equestrian
statue of General kson, an appropriation for it's
pedestal was quite in order and perfectly consti-
tutonal. This species of reasoning may suit Mr..
French and the chairman OF the committee; butit is
30 absolute non sequitW that every reasonable
mind must be amused, if nothing else, at its
treme absurdity. He however wheels around at
the close Of his communication, and Expresses an
earnest desirc--in which believe him to be per.
fectly sincerc--that Congress would appropriate
half q million for the completion of the Washing
ton Monument, which he, Of course, thinks would
be entirely constitutional. Mr.. F. may be some
thing of poet but he is certainly poor legican.
That he is wholly mistaken ins his views respect
ing the course Of Mr.. Chairman Phelps, | have
been satisfied from the statement given to me by
the mover of the last amendment-Mr. Venabe
who states that, previously to proposing his amend
ment of five thousand dollars for the pedestal Of
Jackson's statue, he consulted the former as to
whether, after his decision, such an amendment
would be in order; and no informed him that it
would be received unless tho point of order
raised by some member of the House. Thus it
would appear that tho presiding officer, whose
duty it is to enforce the rules Of that body strictly
and impartially, wantonly conniyes at and sane.
tons breach Of order when it suits his particular
inclinations and prejudices Ia this man fit for
such position?
have no objection to the appropriation granted;
indeed, am pleased that it has been made. But
do think, and the country must think, that to re-
fuse to receive amendment appropriatiDg por-
ton of the public money for monument to
WASHINGTON as out of order, and soon after to ad
NIT one appropriating five thousand dollars for the
pedestal and statue of Jackson as in order, is a
most singular inconsistency, if nothing worse.
q. WATTERSTON