Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-07-16
ADDRESS OF THE BOARD OF MANAGERS
WASHINGTON NATIONAL M0NV.
MENT SOCIETY," .,

MENT SOCIETY," a.
To the People ef the Uastea Fades.
FxILow.Csrt1Kss: Ws-address you on behalf Of
Tho Washington National Monument Association, and
sqbn FOR Your consideration the following report Of
what has been done;
The cornerHsone was laid on the 4th Of July, lS48
At that time there in the treasury Of the Assoca
ton the sum Of $62, 450 sc.
The work has gone on with varied progress until
the of S230000, the product OF voluntary conri-
buttons alone has been expended in its erection.
The original estimate Of the cost Of the whole work
the shaf the base, and the ornamental part exceeded
$l,222,0 900. MetI5st.,
The base, built Of the blue stons ~ the Potomac,
solid and indesructible il sunk eight feet below the
surface md rises seventeen and half feet above the
hdrface OF the surrounding earth 1t is hfty-ve feet
square az It's top. From this springs the shaft with
walls Of blue stone fifteen feet thick faced with white
marble fourteen inches thick in courses two feet in
height tied and bounded into the blue stone at every
course. In its ascent it diminishes gradually and
regularly in the exterior line.
The interior is carried up a straight undertaking
chamber. Within and eet into the solid wall of this
interior according 10 the taste of the architect have
been placed aud are yet TO be placed the stones
tributed by States, communities, and associations
This naked shaft, thus rigidy cut thus firmly
based, thus indssolubly bonded, now rises in its
simple and grand proportions one hundred and fifty
two and half feet above the blue stone base II is
already one of the first objects which meets the eye
of the traveller as he passes, through the hills by
winch the Guy Is ncnneu In ana ne birtS 10 ma INC
immense machinery on its top designed for lifting
stone still idle, and anxiousy inquiries the cause.
Fellow-citizens: Woare panied to say, 1t is your
neglect. When the scattered and subjugated Polish
naton and the friends Of liberty in Europe began TO
erect monument TO kosciusko, they made 1t a labor
of love, and from every valley and mountain, and
plain and running stream, far and near they brought
stones and piled and hcaped them into vast pyra-
midal mound, to testify that love. And now, after
the lapse Of forty years amid the commissions which
have shaken that unhappy country, pilgrim hands
still swell that pile with constant contributions
Weare erecting Monument TO a greater than
Koscusko, to him who in history or myth, is known
among every kindred and nation of the earth who
laid the foundations gave the proportions and super
intended the structure Of that government which,
with miraculous speed, has risen to the front rank
among the nations, and we call upon you for aid.
Hitherto men well known to you, have given to it
long years Of carefalness and labor They have been
urgent and pressing in their calls for help, and you
have, TO certain extent responded to their call 1t
was not their work, 1t was yours; they were your
stewards, giving their time, and care, and lbor and
money, in the same cause with you.
But they have failed, not for lack of energy or zeal
on their part, but from want of that action and SYM
patty yours, which was essential to success. YOU
the people Of this broad and happy land; you, the
children of Washington; you, TO whom he has left
the priceless bequest of his services and his love,
have held back the contribution needed from each to
erect to his memory suitable Monument in the ma
tional metropolis =. g..#.4
peal to their patriotism, and contributed the amount
already received and expended the far greater num-
Der either from apathy or want of opportunity, have
failed to join in this work Of grateful duty. This
failure compelled predecessors TO arrest the prose-
cution of the work. and to appeal to Congress for
sstance. s ss aa5 l.H 1a.t i
Fellow-citizens This is not suitable object of
Legislative provision. A free, prosperous, thriv-
ing people, will not allow debt of love and graft
tude due by every individual heart to be discharged
by an act OF Congress! qasJ a
A new Board of Managers have now been appoint
ed. We come into office under favorable auspices, |
and with wel-founded hopes Of means to prosecute
the work Since election, the 22d February last
we have not been idle Our arrangements have been be-
gum and are now in progress. All causes of differ
ence between US and the Old Board have as we hope
been removed, and we will Immediately 60 70 work
We appeal TO the people. We wish no Legislative |
aid. We look to free hearts VIC call upon all not
the liberal and the generous alone. We call upon
each man who this day walks erect in oil the piano.
ply of freedom in this broad land who is not dead to
the common impulses of humanity; who is worthy |
in the least degree of the countless and diversified
blessings by which he is surrounded we call upon
men everywhere to contribute each his mite. great
and mighty people, OF twenty-five millions, cannot be
dead To the sensations which are innate in every
breast at the bare naming of such a benefactor as
to refuse or neglect to give their aid in such
cause
Let every man, then who feels his heart beat with
American pulsations, and every man who reveres
the name Of Washington, sngfy or in companies,
directly with our Secretary, and send
in his contribution to our Treasurer, or suggest
mode for its collection. /
3 By order of the Board
CHARLES G. TUCKER,
Hus Secretary.
The following the present Officers and Mana
gers Of the Society all Of whom except the President
ind Second Vice President were elected on the .22d
lay Of February last to wit:
FRANKLIN PIERCE,
President Of the u States and ex-oficio President
YESPASIAN ELLIS
First Vice President.
JOHN II. TOWERS,
Mayor OF Washington and ex-oficio I'd V. Pres't |
GEORGE II. PLANT,
Third Vice President. /
JOHN M. McCALLA,
Treasurer.
CHARLES O. TUCKER,
Secretary.
Managers: .n#
HESRY Appsos, Jos. ii. BRADLEY,
CHAs. r. BELT, SAMUEL G. Busy,
FRENCH s. EVANS, JAMES GoRDoS
CHAs. W. DAVIS RopERr 7. KSIaHr
loHS ~ CRAIG, JosEPH LiBBY, ST.,
SAMUEL. +. DOUGLAS, THOMAS A. BRooKK.
JOSIAH +. Polk,
p. 3. Editors friendly TO the cause are requested |
% insert the above address. 1871
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