Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-05-23
ADDRESS OF THE BOARD OF MANAGERS
WASHINGTON NATIONAL MONU.
MENT SOCIETY,"

TO the People of the United States.
FILLow-C IrIzENs: 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 on the 4th Of July, l84s
AZ that time there was in the treasury of the Associa
The work has gone on with varied progress until
the SUM Of e280000 the product of voluntary contr
buttons alone, has been expended.in it's erection.
The original estimate of the cost Of the whole work.
the SHAFT the base, and the ornamental part exceeded
81, 222,000
The base, built of the blue stone Of the Potomac,
solid and indestructibe is sunk eight feet below the
surface and rises seventeen and half feet above the
surface of the surrounding earth. 1t is fftyve feet
square at its top. From this springs the shaft with
walls Of blue stone fifteen feet thick faced with white
height tied and bounded into the blue stone at every
course. In its ascent it dminishes gradually and
regularly in the exterior line.
The interior is carried up a straight undertaking
chamber Within and set into the solid wall of this
Interior according to 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 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. 1t is
already one of the first objects which meets the eye
which the city is hemmed in and he starts to find the
immense machinery on its top designed for lifting
stone still idle, and anxiously inquiries the cause
Felow-citzens: We are panied to say, it is your
neglect. When the scattered and subugated Polish
nation and the friends of liberty in Europe began TO
erect monument TO Kosciusko, they made il labor
Main and a d. from every valley and mountain and
stones and piled ana and near they brought
midsl mound, 70 testify that love. Ahf -
the lapse Of forty years. amid the commissions which
have shaken that unhappy country, pilgrim hands
still swell that pile with constant contributions
We arc erecting Monument to greater than
Kosciusko, to him who in history 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 10 you, have given to II
long years of carefuness 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, 1t was yours; they were your
stewards, giving their time, and care, and ibor, and
money in the same cause with you
But they have failed, not for lack Of energy or real
on their part but from want of that action and sym
patty on yours, which was essential to 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.
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 want Of opportunity, have
failed 10 join in this work of grateful duty. This
failure compelled predecessors TO arrest the prose
cuton Of the work, and to appeal TO Congress Tor as
sistance.
Fellow-citizens: This is not a suitable object Of
Legislative provision. free, prosperous, thriv
| ing people, will not allow debt Of love and graft
tude due by every individual heayt 10 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 well-founded hopes Of means TO prosecute
the work Since our election, on the 22d February last
we have not been idle Our arrangements have been be
/ gun and now In progress. All causes of differ
ence between and the Old Board have, ss we hope
| been removed, and we will Immediately 90 TO work
We appeal 10 the people. We wish no Legislative,
aid. We look to free hearts we call upon all no
| the liberal and the generous alone. We call upoI
each man who this day walks erect in all the PIANO
ply of freedom in this broad land, who is not dead
the common impulses Of humanity; who is worth,
in the least degree Of the countless and diversified
blessings by which he is surrounded, we call upoI
men everywhere TO contribute each his mite. grea
and mighty people, Of twenty I've millions, cannot b
80 dead TO the sensations which are innate IN ever
breast at the bare naming Of such benefactor, a
TO refuse or neglect to give their aid in such
cause.
Let every man, then, who feels his heart beat wit
American pulsations, and every man who revere
the name Of Washington, singy or in companies
communicate directly with our Secretary, and SEN
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 Man,
gers Of the Society all OF whom except the Presden
and Second Vice President were elected on the ~
day of February last 70 witt
President Of the o. States and ex-officio Presden
VESPASIAN ELLIS,
/ First Vice Presiden
JOHN T. TOWERS,
MAYOR Of Washington and eI-officio I'd v. Pres
GEORGE II. PLANT,
Third Vice Presden
JOHN M. McCALLA,
Treasurer
CHARLES 9. TUCKER,
Secretary
Manager.
J Hxxnr ADDISON, Jos. H. BRADLrr,
| CHAs r. BrIr, SAMUEL @. BusKr,
; FRrScH s. EVANS, JAMES GoRpoN,
| CuAs W. DAvH RoBxRr 7. KNIaHT,
JouS NJ CRAro JosEpH LrBBr, SR.,
SAnUKL II. DoUeLAs, THOMAS A. BROOKE.
THOMAS ID. SANDY, Fiji
p 8. Editors friendly 10 the cause, are requeste
| 80 n 4, TrrrxPp uocratary