Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-06-12
ADDRESS OF. THE BOARD OF MANAGERS
WASHINGTON NATIONAL MOHUs
MENT SOCIETY,


MENT SOCIETY,
III tho People Of The Unitea States
fELLow.0rIEHEBs We address you on behalf Of
the Washington National Monument Association, and
submit for your consideration the following report Of
The cornerstone was laid on the 18th Of July, ls4s
At that time there in the treasury of the Assoca-
ton the sum of,$62, 450 68.
The work has gone on with varied progress until
the sum Of $3.50 000 the product Of voluntary contr
buttons alone, has been expended in its erection.
The original estimate of the cost of the whole work
the shat the base, and the ornamental part exceeded
81, 222,0 600
The base, built of the blue stone Of the Potomac.
solid and ndestructbe is sunk eight feet below the
surface, and rises seventeen and half feet above the
surface OF the surrounding earth Ii is ftyhve feet
square ut Its 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 il dimnishes gradually and
| regularly in the exterior line.
The interior 10 carried up straight, underwriting
chamber. Within and set into the solid wall of this
interior, according 10 the taste of the architect have
been placed and yet to be placed the stones
| tributed by States communities, and associations
This naked shaft, thus rgidly cut. thus firmly
| based, thus indissolubly 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
which the city is hemmed in and he starts TO find the
stone still idle and anxiously inquiries the cause.
Fellow-ctizens: We are panied to say, it is your
| neglect When the scattered and subjugated Polish
nation, and the friends of liberty in Europe began to
erect monument to Kosciusko, they made il labor
OF love, and from every valley and mountain, and
plain and running stream far and near they brought
stones and piled and heaped 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.
w. u, than
Kosciusko, 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 careulness 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, it yours they your
stewards, giving their time, and care and bor, 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
pahy on yours which was essential TO success. You
the people of this broad and happy land; you, the
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
uonal metropolis.
While thousands have answered promptly the APP
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-
cnon Of the work, and to appeal 10 Congress for
sistance.
Legislative provision. A free, a 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
A new Board Of Managers have now been appoint
ed. We come into office under favorable auspices,
and with well-founded hopes of means to prosecute
the work. Since election, the 22d February last
have not been idle Our arrangements have been be-
gum and are now in progress. All causes of differ
ence between and the Old Board have, we hope,
been removed, and we will Immediately go to work.
Weaappeal to the people, We wish no Legislative
aid. We look to free hearts we call upon all not
the liberal and the generous alone We call upon
each man who this day walks erect in all 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 innate in every
breast at the bare naming Of such benefactor, as
to refuse or neglect to give their aid in such u
cause
Let every man, then, who feels his heart beat with
American quotations, and every man who reveres
the name of Washington, singly or in companies, |
communicate directly with our Secretary, and send
in his contribution to our Treasurer, or suggest a
mode for it's collection.
BY order Of the Board
CHARLES c. TUCKER,
Secretary. |
The following are the present Officers and Mana
gers Of the Society all of whom except the President
and Second Vice President were elected the 22d |
day Of February last, TO wit
FRANKLIN PIERCE,
President Of the u. States and exoficio President
VESPASIAN ELLIS,
First Vice President. |
JOHN T. TOWERS,
Mayor Of Washington and ex-oficio I'd V. Pres't. |
GEORGE II. PLANT,
Third Vice President. |
JOHN NJ. MoCALLA,
Treasurer. |
CHARLES G. TUCKER,
Secretary.
managers
ugSnI ADDISON, Jos. H. BRADLEY,
CHAs r. BBLT, SAMUEL G. BUsE1,
FRKsCH 8. EVANS, JAMES GoRpor,
CHAs w. DAVIS RoBKRT T. KNIGHT,
JoHS N. CRAIo, JosxPH LIBBY, SR.,
SAMUEL 4. DOUGLAS, THOMAS A. BRooKE.
TnosAs ID. SANDY,
p. 8. Editors friendly 10 the cause are requested
70 insert the above address.
c. c. TUCKER, Secretary.