Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-07-14
ADDRESS OF THE BOARD OF MANAGERS
WASHINGTON NATIONAL M0NU-
MENT SOCIETY,
TO the People Of the United States.

y
TO tie People Of he United States.
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:
At that time there in the treasury OF the Associa
ton the sum of So, 450 10. -eL
The work has gone with varied progress until
the sum of $3.50 000 the product Of voluntary conri
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, $4,000
The base, built of the blue stone Of the Potomac,
solid and ndestructble, is sunk eight feet below the
surface and rises seventeen and half feet above the
surface of the surrounding earth II is ftyhye 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 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
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.
Felow-citizens: We are panied to say, it is 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 grcnter 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 carefuness 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 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 zeal
on 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
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
uonal metropolis.
While thousands have answered promptly the ap-
peal 10 their patriotism and contributed the amount
already received and expended the far greater num-
ber either from apathy or want OF opportunity have
failed TO join in this work of grateful duty. This
failure compelled predecessors arrest the prese
cution of the work. and to appeal to Congress for
sistance.
Fellow-citizens: This is not a suitable object of
Legislative provision. free, prosperous, a thriv-
ing people, will not allow debt of love and graft
tude, due by every individual heart 10 be discharged
by an act OF Congress
new Board of Managers haye now been appoint
..s.a lxIn
and with well-iounded hopes Of means to prosecute
the work Since election, on the 22d February last
we have not been idle Our arrangements have been be-
gun, and are now in progress. All causes of differ
ence between and the Old Board have, we hope,
been removed, and we win Immediately 60 TO work.
We appeal 10 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 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, call upon
men everywhere to contribute each his mite great
and mighty people, Of twenty-five millions, cannot be
so dead to the sensations which innate in every
breast at the bare naming Of such benefactor, as
20 refuse or neglect to give their aid in such
cause.
Let every man. then, who feels his heart beat with
American pusations 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
mode for its collection.
BY order Of the Board:
CHARLES c. 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 the 22d
day Of February last, TO wit:
~ FRANKLIN PIERCE,
President Of the u. States and ex-oficio President
VESPASIAN ELLIS,
First Vice President.
JOHN 7. TOWERS,
Mayor Of Washington and ex-oficio I'd V. Pres't
GEORGE Ii. PLANT,
Third Vice President.
JOHN NJ MoCALLA,
CHARLES G. TUCKER,
Secretary.
Managers:
HENRI ADDISON, JOS. III. BRADLEY,
CHAs. X. BKLT, SAMUEL @. BUsKL,
FRKScH s. EVANS, JAMES GoRDos,
CHAs. w DAVIS, RoBERr T. KNIGHT,
JouN ~ CRMG JosKPH LIBBY Sn.,
SAMUEL +. DOUGLAS, THoxAs A. BRooKE.
JOSIAH +. Polk,
p. 8. Editors friendly 70 the cause, are requested
10 insert the above address.
c. G. TUCKER, Secretary.