Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-06-08
ADDRESS OF THE BOARD OF MANAGERS
WASHINGTON NATIONAL MONU-
MENT SOCIETY.
Io ths People IA az UNited 6tatss.


TO tho People Of the United Sfatss.
FELLow-CIrIIEss We address you on behalf Of
the Washington National Monument Association, and
submit for your consideration the following report of
The corner stone was laid ON the 9TH Of July, ls4s
At that time there in the treasury OF the Associa
ton the sum of $62, 460 So.
The work has gone on with varied progress until
the sum Of $230000 the product Of voluntary contr
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, 222, 900.
The base, built OF the blue stone of the Potomac
solid and indestructbe is sunk eight feet below the
surface, and rises and half feet above the
surface OF the surrounding earth 1t is dfty6ye feet
square a. 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 ii diminishes gradually and
regularly in the exterior line.
The Interior Is 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 con-
uibuted by States, communities and associations.
This naked shaft thus rigidly 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 10 henmed in and he starts TO find the
immense machinery on ito top designed for lifting
stone still idle, and anxiously inquiries the cause.
neglect When the scattered and snhnoatea Polish
nafion and the friends Of liberty In Europe began TO
eract n,onupnant ~ KoacinsL,, tha, ,,ada n Jabor
Of love. and from every valley ana 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
have shaken that unhanny country pilrrim hands
still swell that pile with constant contributions.
We are erecting Monument to a greater than
Kosciusko TO him who in history or myth s 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
Hitherto, men well known to YOU, have given to Il
long years of carefulness and labor They have been
urgent and pressing in their calls for help and Won
have to certain extent responded to their call II
was not their work il was YOURS they were vour
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
their part, but from want of that action and SYM
the people of this broad and happy land YOU, the
children Of Washington; you, to whom he has left
the priceless beuuest 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.
While thousands have answered promptly the, ap-
peal to their patriotism and contributed the amount
already received and expended the far greater num-
ber either from apathy or want of opportunity have
iailed 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 as
sistance.
Fellow-ctzens; 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 ConGressl
A new Board OF Managers have now been appoint
ed. We come into Office under favorable auspices |
and with wellfounded hopes of means to prosecute
the work Since our election on the 22d February last
we have not been idle Our have been be-
gun, and are now in progress All causes Of differ
US We s' viii as 70
We appeal to the people We wish no Legislative |
i'd We look to free hearts we call upon all not
he liberal and the generous alone We call upon
ZACH man who this day walks erect in all the piano.
,ly of freedom in this broad land who is not dead TO
he common impulses of humanity; who is worthy |
n the least degree Of the countless and diversified
blessings by which he is surrounded, we call upon
men everywhere 10 contribute each his mite great
nd mighty people, of twenty-five millions cannot be
% dead to the sensations which are innate in every
'reast at the bare naming Of such benefactor, as