New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-08-17
THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT.

A correspondent, who evidently is not Know
Nothing in respect to the principles of architectural
taste but whose letter does not seem to require pub
location, appeals to to drop our hostility to the
Washington Monument 1T least for season. so far as
not to advise the public to Withheld their cOntribu
tions from that patriotic speculation. When the JOB
is finished, and the tall point of the o,esk is at last
bstled in its native element AS was said Of the
goose that went into the pond why then il will be
fair subject for criticism and the press may expose
its fauts,-whch our correspondent cannot deny to
be gross and palpable perfect propriety. But
We must beg to decline the post ae,o function thus
kindly marked ont for Us. Our ambition has another
and, We must think, higher scope than is here
opened TO il. 1t is certainly practicable to do some
thing more useful than merely cOndema sins aad
binders which are beyond remedy passing those
which stil growing aud may yet be arrested and
killed off 1t would be 0 very poor satisfaction to
render the whole country disgusted with the ugness
and unfness of that Monument, after it is DONE
when the result might possibly have been gained
beforehand and the completion Of the work pre-
vented. To our conviction, the Monument! cannot be
other than defonity, and the patriotic feelings and
sincere respect for the memory of Washington which
render its missbapen form the dsagrseable and
surprising TO every intelligent behOder. Accordingly
We desire to have the building stopped, the work
pulled down, aud the materials put to more ap
proprate use. If we canuot raise Monument which
is not ridiculous and dscreditabe to the country and
the capital let US have none at all.
While the justice OF our objections to the struc-
ture and its design is freely admitted, we are told
that it il impossible to judge strictly from model,
and that the great magnitude Of the work itself will
hide its faults. None Of the great and famous pro-
duets Of architecture say these advocates for trans
cendent ueliness and sublime ncongrity, would re-
tain its grandeur and beauty in miniature. Very
true. They would lose their imposing character. but
they would retain AL the harmony and correctness Of
their parts. There is nothing in the Par.heaon, or
the Strasburg Cathedral, which in model would
look like ignorant, poverty stricken tumble of dis
cOrdant elements No prepOsterous fundamental alb
sOrdity would then appear which had esc,pei noice
in the full grown splendors Of the building itself
Nor if the design Of the Washington NOM nent could
be carried OUT on ten fold the intended scale could
gain sry quality of loneliness of magnifcence, which
would elevate its commonplace, conflicting and i'll.
arranged body into higher artistic character.
back ard though your stake tower loftier than the
pines Of New Hampshire, and your pumpkin s<ell
rouIder and bigger than Momotombo it will be moth
ing but stake punched through pumpkin after .l.
The defenders of the Monupent seem inclined, how
ever 10 resort to Michel Angelo for an argument aud
indeed Cur correspondent pleads thu. St Peters is not
composed according TO the rneso Of classic Iigidty any
more than the proposed affair at Washington. We
accept the evidence and with it turn the defendant
out Of Court. s.. Peters is sublime and passionate
work of genius. Its author was one of the largest
ndivduaties in all history AMI that wonderful struc
ture is all vivid with his power.
The passive master lent Lie hand
To The vast soul that or him planned
and thus in the great ediice all me elements are
fused into unity and their variety and richness only
hghten tie general effect. One of its means of i'm
pressing the eye and the Imagination ia undoubtedly
its magnitude, but every part operates that end
Such, according 10 our correspondents admission, s
not the case with our Monument. That has nothing
to apologize for It but It's bare magnitude alone il We
except tie temple which the place of pump
Kin around ts base, and which can only be seen BY
those in the immediate vicinity while even TO them
it will present the aspect Of something supersdded
and tackled TO the obelisk not essential part
Of IT, How absurd 10 SPEAK Of st. Peters and this
combined shot-tower and workshop in the came
breath.
! Finally. We advise all friends of thiS prepos-
ferrous job TO cay lits of Michel Angelo "a pos
ble and again advise al truly patriotic citizens to
draw tight their purse strings when anybody come. -