The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1852-04-24
To the american People.

/ From the great decrease In the re-
ceiptS of contributions td'the National
Monument during the last six manths
| the Beard of Managers of the Monu-
| nent \ Association feel IT to be their duty
| 10 make another appeal to the patrini
ism Of the American public. They are
! unwilling ta believe that the people of
thus count:y Cnief such deep and last
ing obligations as they are 10 the
founder of theIg iibetlles. and feeling.
as they must, L profound sense of grail
tude FOR the inestlmabie services winch
he rendered To them. will suffer monn-
nent commenced in his honor, and To
aid In perpetGatiHg his name to the
latest ages of the world. 10 remain an
finished hr the want OF the means
necessary to complete it. 1t need
scarcely. be suggested that fact ike
this IN the history of our republic would
noi fail 10 reflect lasting diseredit on
the gratitude and patriotism of its cili-
zens. and prove to the world that re-
publlcs are too apt to be torgettul of
what is due to themselves and To the
memory of those who. under Provi
uCbSC. ha'O HbahC pioSp6I~
GUS and happy. Ii is often the fate of
the most distinguished and illustrious
TO be nearly forgotten after they have
mouldered In the tomb for nalf CEN
tury In the busy ana 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-
tation may have been more brilliant
and their deeds more glorlonS. 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 amt desirous to pay just tribute
to pre-eminent patriotism and TO un-
equaIled public and private virtue.
Under this impression, society was .
established some seventeen years ago, /
in the city of Washington. for the pur- !
pose Of erecting magnificent monu-
ment to the Father of his Country; and +
the Board of Managers of that society
have, during that long interval. made
gratnitously every effort in their power,
from pure feeling OF patriotism and a
desire to honor his memory. to obtain
the means necessary 10 accomplish the
object of lis organization. By unceas-
ing 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 one-fifth
of its intended elevation; and they now
regret to say that, unless the contribu-
lions are larger and more frequent than
hey have been for the past six months,
md it will be impossible TO continue
he work any further. The blocks Of
'tone which have been sent from the
iiferent States associations. &C., to be
placed in the monument, have done but
title to add to its elevation. though
hey may contribute TO its interest,"
That the public may understand how
expensive such structure must neees- l
arily be, it may be proper to state that
ach course of Two feet in height costs
pwards of 1000. thoHgh executed with ! !
he strictest regard to economy. The .
naterials and labor, with a small an f
ual compensation allowed to the su- h
aud still smaller to the
rchitect, amount 10 the expenditure i
'hich has been mentioned; and the 1