Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-07-19
ADDRESS OF THE BOARD OF MANAGERS
or the
WASHINGTON NATIONAL MONU-
MENT SOCIETY,

III MENT SOCIETY,
10 the People Of tho United States.
FELLow-C CITIZENS; We address you on behalf Of
the Washington National Monument Association, and
submit for your consideration the following report OF
what has been done;
The cornerstone was laid the 4th Of July, l64S.
At that time there was in the treasury OF the Assoca
ton the sum Of $50, 450 SO.
the of $280000 the product of voluntary contri-
buttons alone, has been expended in its erection.
The original estimate of the cost of the whole work
the SHAFT the base, and the ornamental part exceeded
81, 1926, 900
The base, built Of the blue stone Of the Potomac,
solid and indestructbe is sunk eight feet below the
surface, and rises seventeen and half feet above the
surface OF the surrounding earth 1t is fftyye feet
square at 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 diminishes gradually and
regularly in the exterior line.
The interior 10 carried up straight, undertaking
chamber. Within and set into the solid wall of this
interior according to the taste of the architect have
been placed and are yet to be placed the stones
tributed by States, communities, and associations.
This naked shaft, thus rigidly cut thus firmly
based, thus indissoubly 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
immense machinery on its top designed for lifting
stone still idle and anxiously inquiries the cause.
Fellow-citizens: We are panied TO say, it 10 your
neglect. When the scattered and snbjugated Polish
nation and the friends of liberty in Europe began to
erect monument to Kosciusko, they made it 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
We are 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 careflness and labor They have been
urgent and pressing in their calls for help, and you
have, to certain extent, responded to their CALL II
was not their work, it was yours; they were your
stewards, giving their time, and care and ibor and
money, in the same cause with yon.
But they have failed, not for lack Of energy zeal
their part but from want of that action and SYM
pathy 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 na-
tional metropolis.
=
peal to their patriotism, and contributed the amount
already received and expended the far greater
Der, either from apathy want of opportunity, have
failed to Join in this work of grateful duty. This
failure compelled predecessors arrest the prose-
cuton Of the work. and to appeal to Congress for
sstance.
Fellow-citizens: This is not suitable object of
Legislative provision. A Free prosperous a thriv-
ing people, will not allow debt of love and graft
tude due by every individual heart to be discharged
by an act of Conpressl
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 our election on the god February last
have not been idle. Our have been be-
gun, and are now in progress. All causes OF differ
ence between and the Old Board have, as we hope
been removed, and we will Immediately go TO work.
We appeal 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 who this day walks erect in all the pano-
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
80 dead 10 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
cause.
Let every man. then, who feels his heart beat with
American pulsations, and every man who reveres
the name OF w usningt0n, slngly or III companies,
communicate directly with our Secretary, and send
in his contribution TO our Treasurer or suggest
mode for its collection.
By order Of the Board
CHARLES @. TUCKER,
Secretary.
The following are the present Officers and Mama
gers Of the Society all OF whom except the President
and Second Vice President were elected on the ED
day Of February last, 70 wit:
FRANKLIN PIERCE,
President Of the u. States and ex-oicio President
VESPASIAN ELLIS,
First Vice President.
JOHN 7. TOWERS,
Mayor Of Washington and ex-ohicio cd v. Pres't
GEORGE II. PLANT,
Third Vice President.
JOHN NJ. MoCALLA,
Treasurer.
CHARLES G. TUCKER,
Secretary.
Managers
HENRY ADDISON, Jos. III. BRADLEY,
CHAs. r. BKLr, SAMUEL @. BusKr,
FRENCH s. EVANS, JAMES GoRDoa,
CHAs. w. DAVIS, RoBERr I. KNIGHT,
JoHx ~ CRAIo JosxPH LIBBr, SR,,
SAMUEL y. DOUGLAS, THonAs A. BROOKE.
JOSIAH +. Polk,
p. s. Editors friendly 10 the cause, are requested
" insert the above address.
&C. TUCKER, Secretary.