Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-05-26
ADDRESS OF THE BOARD OF MANAGERS
WASHINGTON NATIONAL MONU.
MENT SOCl ETY. X.
10 The People of TIE I


FELLow-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 on the 4th of July l84s
At that time there in the treasury of the Associa-
ton the sum of &c., 45O So.
The work has gone with varied progress until
the sum of $2300O0 the product Of voluntary conri-
The original estimate Of the cost of the whole work.
the shaft the base, and the ornamental part exceeded
81, 222, 600
The base, built Of the blue stone of the Potomac,
solid and indestructble, is sunk eight feet below the
surface, and rises and half feet above the
surface of the surrounding earth II Is ffty-ye 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 dimnishes 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-
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 ffty
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
immense machinery on its top designed for lifting
stone still idle, and anxiously inquiries the cause.
Fellow-citizens: We are panied to say, 1t 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 it labor
Of lsve, 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, 10 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 q greater than
- l. -. l..
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, 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 you
have, 10 certain extent responded 10 their call II
not their work, IL 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
their part but from want Of that action and SYM
patty on yours which essential 10 success. You,
the people of this broad and happy land; you, the
children Of Washington; you, 10 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
While thousands have answered promptly thei APP
peal 70 their patriotism, and contributed the amount
already received and expended the far greater
failed 10 join in this work Of grateful duty. This
failure compelled predecessors 70 arrest the prose-
cution Of the work. and to appeal TO Congress for as
sistance.
Legislative provision, free, prosperous, thriv-
ing people, will not allow a debt OF love and graft
tude due by every individual heart to be discharged
by an act OF Congressl
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 god February last
we have not been idle Our arrangements have been be-
gun, and are now in progress All causes Of differ
been removed, and we viii Immediately 20 TO work.
We appeal TO the people. We wish no Legislative
aid. We look TO free hearts 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
30 dead TO the sensations which are innate in every
breast at the bare naming Of such benefactor, as
10 refuse or neglect to give their aid In such 9
cause.
Let every man, then, who feels his heart beat with
American pusations, and every man who reveres
the name Of Washington, sngly or in companies
communists directly with our Secretary, and send
in his contribution TO our Treasurer, or suggest
I
by order Of the Board
CHARLES @. 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 on the go
day Of February last 70 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 H. PLANT,
Third Vice President
JOHN N. McCALLA,
CHARLES Q. TUCKER,
Secretary
Managerc
| Hxrpr ADDISON, Jos II. BRADLrr
| CnAs. r. BELr, SAMUEL @. Bussr
| FprrcH s. EvArs JANIS GoRpor,
| CuAs W. DAVIS, RossRr T. KNIoHr,
| JoHr N. CpAia, Josrrr Lrpsr, Ss-,
SsrurL g. DouaLAs THOMAS A. Broorr.
| THosAs u, SANDY,
4 ID A. H. a.