The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-07-03

that require of Mexico, and her internal tranquil
lily and safety from foreign aggression at the same
time. But by timid and shrinking policy on our
part, not only may the Tehuantepec and other
Mexican inter. oceanic routes be turned over to
foreign control, but the government itself may fall
under the protection of England, an alliance Of
European powers When Mexico ceases to exist as
an Independent nation, the only admissible alter
native is her protection under the guardianship Of
our government, or her admission into this Union.
The existing administration will do well to main
tain things as they are, if it can do no better But
it ought to do better. We expect it to do better
1t can do better. The next will inevitably be re-
quired to do something more.
The NATIONAL MONUMENT AT WAsHINGToN-
NATIONAL MRNDIcANCY.-The committee who have
charge Of the erection Of the great national monu
ment at Washington are found coming out, every
now and then, with manifesto describing their
poverty, the emptiness Of their treasury, the
sty Of collecting more funds to enable them to
carry on the work in which they have been now
several years engaged, and appealing, in this
straitened condition of affairs to the charitable
humane, and patriotic, throughout the country, to
forward and assist them With liberal contribu-
tions. The last appeal of this nature from the
Monument Committee is conveyed through one of
the mendicant journals Of the capitalize National
Iutelligenc0-and requests all clergymen through
the land-as the fourth Of July falls on Sunday-to
make the monument the subject of their prayers and
cxhotations, and to take up collections in aid of its
erection in all their churches.
A resort to these measures, for the purpose Of
building up great national monuments, is by no
means credtable to the American people, nor
consistent with their inclinations. We doubt
the propriety or feasibility of such principle
as makes national monuments, national statues or
any great national work. depend on the occasional,
| uncertain benevolcnce Of charitable individuals
| of any description, either at home or abroad A
nation enjoying such high condition of prosperity
a, the United States, in all departments Of great
ness should scorn to consign the construction Of its
monuments, or the memorials of its past grandeur,
Of the high achievements Of its sons to the same
begging system which wandering crusaders or men,
dcont cxiles adopt to fill their pockets, under the
name of patriotism, and the pretence Of raising up
down. trodden humanity.
Much has been said in the newspapers Of New
York about the proprety and necessity Of erecting
statues, sometimes to one particular person. some
times to another in the public squares of this city,
and methods of collecting money from the liberal
and benevolent have been adopted, for the purpose
of carrying such projects into execution The same
plan has now been many years in operation for the
construction of the great National Monument, at
and haliave the progress oft has been
as slow asthe means were contemplate. The funds
o. the committee are awaysyery scant and their trea
sury always empty IT cannot be doubted that on all
such occasions there are elques Of blood suckers,
WHO make ii their business to create prodigious
noise and fuss about such matters and who live out
of the proceeds of such collections and contributions
from the public. Every institution for the advance
ment Of art or science, or any other great object
brings around it mendicants and harpies Of all de-
scriptions, who batten on the funds, whether in
tended for the support Of art unions or collegiate
institutions. or national monument associations, or
special monument associations in honor of parti-
cular citizens.
But this whole system is mean, beggarly, and
contemplate Bis some which never has been adopt
ed or pursued by any great nation of ancient or
modern times. The Egyptians and the Greeks,
whose monuments still exist, bear testimony of their
munfcence, grandeur, and public spirit. They we're
erected at the expense of the nation ITSELF and did
not depend on the eleemosynary contributions Of in
dividuals, or on the casual beneyolence of cold
and chilling world. The Roman monuments that
now exist were also erected by the nation at the
expense Of the nation, and the same may be said
Of all the monuments existing in any country
in Europe, or within the borders Of civilization.
Now, what is the reason that the United States, |
growing in power and property at rate unexam-
pied in the former history Of Misunderstanding
its empire from sea to sea-producing wealth in
greater abundance, in proportion to its population,
than any country the sun ever rose upon |
what is the that, out Of the boundess reve-
nues Of this great nation, ample sh uld not at
once be contributed for the erection Of whatever
great monument may be designed to perpetuate its |
glory give durability TO the fame Of it's past deeds
or names! During the last few years more public |
money has been made away WITH in various ways, |
by dcfaulters and bankrupts than would erect mopu-
ments in every city Of this country, and complete
all shose under way in Washington, in the most
substantial, durable, and classic style The spirit
of economy, which springs up every now and then |
within the limits Of both parties, on the eve Of
great election, is spirit Of msaAness Of the most
despicsble character. How much better would it
be, in ell matters wherein the national honor and
interest is concerned, to be liberal, and generous,
ard just, with the public funds, instead of permit
ting them to be pilfered and plundered, and squan-
dered, under the name Of paltry economy Of dollars
and cents!
We are against all chi6oao contributions, by cha
rty boxes in churches, appealf in the public high
ways FOR the erection OF the National Monument at
Washington, because VIC believe IL 70 be the duty of
Congress, who have an abundance of wealth md
revenue o. choir disposal 20 contribute al onoo oil
much money a. i necessary 70 oompla.e that an or
tsiing within .hc year