Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-04-24
4 NEW BLOCK FOR THE MONUMENT.

NEW BLOCK FOR THE MONUMENT.
On Saturday last Major PETER FnIrz. Of Philadelphia,
visited this city Of committee representing the
Grand Lodge Of the United States Of the Independents
Order of Odd Fellows charged with the preparation and
presentation Of handsome Block Of Marble to the OFF,
GERS Of the Washington National Monument Association
We have not learnt that there any formaly the
occasion except what appears by the following corepon
dence, which has been handed to for publication;
WASHINGTON, APRIL II, 1852
Ny DEAR Sir: As the representative of committee
duly appointed for that purpose by the Grand Lodge Of
the United States Of the Independent Order Of Odd-Fe
lows am extremely gatfed In having the honor of pre-
sentng In behalf OF that National Body representing
more than two hundred thousand Of the moral and par
otto citizens Of glorious Republic block Of marble as
sngnt testimonial to the memory Of who first
IN war; nrs IN peace and first in the hearts Of his
trymen In performing the duty thus delegated to me,
cannot refrain from making two remarks which
may perhaps not be inappropriate
Odd Fellows, whom represent nculcnte and endeavor
to practice the moral and social virtues Among its dis
cipes to be found many Of our wisest and best c
zens How appropriate then, that those who endeayor
TO practice the virtues Of this life should contribute to
raise monument to the memory Of one Who during his
mission on earth, living example Of them oil
In l776 American Independence was first declared We
were then weak nation containing only about three mil
lions Of inhabitants With God upon side and George
Washington as his instrument, struck for Freedom
against at that time the most powerful nation the face
cOnqucrcQs
right Now how different the sight The little
band Of freeman who in re dared the fight have grown
to be large nation, some twenty millions more and
when that proud monument to Washngton's memory
ward which we make offering, is completed doubtless
our population will then be fifty millions.
But after all, Mr.. President, how insignificant our
monument when compared with the he has built for
himself the great Republic of the United States Of
America!
am, most respectfully, your fellow-ctzen,
PETER FRITZ.
Han Fxxr r
President of the United States, and
President Of Natl. Washington Monument Asso'n.
WASHINGTON, APRIL 10, 1852
SIR: have your letter Of the 18th instant accom-
panied by splendid block Of MARBLE presented by you
on behalf of "e Grand Lodge Of the United States Of tho
Independent Order Of Odd Floc for Washngtons Monu-
ment for which, President exoco Of the Washington
Monument Association and its behalf return you my
thanks States associations and individuals have respec-
lively contributed to the erection Of this monument but
none have presented beautiful specimen Of workman
ship than this from your Order infer from your letter
that this association is coextensye with the territory Of
the United States 1t may therefore be deemed to have
embodied in this offering the sentiments of people from
every part Of this widespread Republic, which such
debt of gratitude to its founder May the embems Of
Faith Hope, and Charity which adorn your splendid do
nation truly represent the sentiments Of your Society,
and the words which you have inscribed upon it. "We
commend you visit the SICK relieve the distressed
bury the dead, and educate the orphan be deemed
active injunction to be obeyed by its
bers for all time to come They will stand recorded on
the most enduring monument Of this country and trust
that future of the Order may have
blush for its degeneracy to question its morality and
benevolence Such stone is worthy Of such
caton and does equal honor to the donors and to him
whose undying fame it is intended in part to
memorate.
am your obedient servant,
WILLARD FILLMORE.
PETER FRITZ, ESQ.
The block thus presented is very beautiful one high
y embellished and finished in the first style of 1t
was obtained, informed, from the quarry Of
Mr. FRITZ, in Montgomery county (Pa few miles from
Philadelphia In its present condition it is four feet long
by the same breadth, and eighteen inches thick On it's
face scuptursd the armora bearings Of the Order
consisting of two principal figures finely formed and pro-
portioned, which appear to be embems Of Hope and
Charity The left Anchor, the right bears
Cornucopia crowned with flowers. Between them is Q
Shield, with scroll border, carrying the motto Amcts
Ct reitas and perpendicularly above figure Of
Charity surrounded with infant orphans Below the
Shield is the e Grand Lodge of the United States Of
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows" This scuptur
ing is enclosed within circle Of nearly two feet diane
ter, edged with notched rays and the rim of its circle
inscribed with, We command you to visit the sick,
ieve the distressed bury the dead and educate the
phan." Under all the words, I" Presented by the
Grand Lodge of the United States, 1882 The work
performed by J. Battin and p Laws to the entire
satisfaction of the beholder.