Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-06-02

OF combination outside of the society TO obtain,
for party ends, possession of the monument and
control Of its affairs; that the secret association
which planned this revolution, though boastng
that their power Is permanent as we'll as irressti-
BILE, yet refused to wait for the time when the rev.
olution could be effected "according to the Con-
stitution," but fastened to their obecs IN viola
tion of that Constitution; that hayingvsvith the
connivance, at least, Of the clerk Of the board Of
managers, made an election which was void on
its face, they at once, with only this mockery Of
right, arrogated to themselves title beyond dis
pute, and denied to this board the right Of even
inspecting the books and papers which were the
result OF their own abors that this board, though
satisfied, on careful inquiry, that the election Of
the ia OF February was nullity, and that they
themselves We're the constitutional managers of
the society, yet REFRESHING their Just Indignation,
and anxious that the sacred trust in their charge
should not become subject Of strife, proposed
an amicable suit for obtaining judicial decision
on the conflicting claims; that the adversary
party rejected this reasonable offer, thus refusing
in a country Of laws, that the law should deter
mine the controversy; that, by the aid OF another
faithess subordinate in the service of this board,
they obtained the keys of buildings on the monu-
ment grounds; that after the doors had been
locked by the superintendent, they got possession
OF the buildings by breaking open the locks; and
that this possession is still maintained. This
board would certainly not question it, if consider
atoms merely personal could be rule for their
conduct. From trust which has been long.
toilsome, gratuitous, and often inconv enient,
they are willing to be relieved But they are not
willing to desert it. The acceptance Of that trust
was'a pledge on their part to be faithful to it;
and this pledge would be broken by voluntary
surrender Of their authority to persons whom they
believe to be usurpers. Few imaginable circum-
stances could justify such a submission. In the
present case It would be left without excuse by
the proclaimed hostility Of the usurpers to the
principles ON which the trust was created and has
hitherto been administered. The rejection of the
proposal for an amicable suit obliged this board
to seek other means for obtaining judicial deci-
sion OF the controversy. By that decision, when
given, this board will cheerfully abide.
To this statement are appended the clause of
the Constitution on the subject of elections the.
deed from the President of the United States, au-
thorizing the building of the monument on public
land; and the report of Mr., Dougherty, the SUI
perintendent.
Published by order of the board
JOHN CARROLL BRENT, Secretary
List Of Managers Of the Washington National
Monument Society.
FRANKLIN PIERCE, President of the United
States, er c6icio President of the society.
ARCHIBALD HENDERSON, First Vice President.
*JoHN L. Towers, Mayor of Washington
o6icio Second Vice President
Thomas CARBERY, Third Vice President.
~. B. III. Smith, Treasurer
john CARROLL BRENT, Secretary.
PETER FORCE, WILLIAM w. SEAToN, WILLIAM
A. BRADLEY, PHILIP r. FENDALL, WINFIELD
ScoTT, WALTER JONES, WALTER LENox, THos.
BLAGDEN, MATHEW r. MAURY, BEsJAMIN OeLE
TAYLoE, Thomas III. CRAwFoRp, WILLIAM w.
CoRcoRAN, ELISHA WMrTLEsEY, General agent
In place of John w. Maury. deceased,
Mayor, &c, and o6fcio &c.
la place OF Samuel Harrison Smith, deceased.
In place of George Walterston, deceased.