Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-06-15
ADDRESS OF THE BOARD OF MANAGERS
WASHINGTON NATIONAL MONU-
MENT SOCIETY.
10 the People Of the United States.


MENT SOCIETY,
TO the People Of the United States.
FELLow-CIrIEEgsi We address you on behalf Of
the Washington National Monument Association and
submit foF your consideration the following report of
what has been done;
The cornerstone was laid on the 4th OF July, ls48.
At that time there was in the treasury of the Associa
ton the sum Of $e2, 450 SO.
The work has gone on with varied progress until
the sum of $3.50 600 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 1922, 900.
The base, built Of the blue stone of the Potomac.
solid and indestructible is sunk eight feet below the
surface, and rises and half feet above the
surface of the surrounding earth II is fty-ve feet
square at It's 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 1t diminishes gradually and
regularly in the exterior line
The interior Is carried up straight, undertaking
chamber. Within and into the solid wall of this
interior according TO the taste of the architect have
been placed, and yet to be placed the stones
trbuted by States, communities, and associations.
This naked shaft, thus ngidy cut, thus firmly
based, thus indissolubly bonded, now rises in its
simple and grand proportions 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 ne 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
Feow-citizens: We are panied to say, it is your
neglect. When the scattered and subjugaed Polish
nation and the friends of liberty in Europe began to
erect a monument to Kosciusko, they made it labor
OF love, and from every valley and mountain, and
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 .i,, shaken that unhappy country pilgrim hands
still swell that pile with constant contributions.
We are erecting Monument to greater than
Kosciusko, 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 carefulness 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 me and care, and lbor, and
money, in the same cause with you.
But they have failed not for lack of energy or zeal
on their part, but from want of that action and SYM
pathy on yours, which essential to You,
the people Of this broad and happy land you, the
the priceless bequest Of Ills services and his love,
have held back the contribution needed from each to
erect to his memory suitable Monument in the
honal 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 or want of opportunity, have
failed to join in this work of grateful duty. This
failure compelled predecessors arrest the prose-
cntion of the work. and to appeal to Congress for
sistance.
Fellow-citizens This is not Il suitable object of
Legislative provision. free, prosperous, thriv-
ing people, will not allow debt of love and graft
tude, due by every individual heart to be discharged
by act of Congress-!
A new Board OF Managers have now been appoint |
tatn ar htn
and with wefounded hopes Of means to prosecute |
the work Snceour election, the 22d 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 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 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
so dead 10 the sensations which innate in every
breast at the bare naming of such benefactor, AS
10 refuse or neglect to give their aid in such
cause
Let every man, then, who feels his heart beat with
American pulsations, and every who reveres
the name Of Washington, singly or in companies,
in his contribution TO our Treasurer, suggest a
mode for its collection.
BY order Of the Board
CHARLES G. 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 22d
day of February last 70 wit
FRANKLIN PIERCE,
President OF the o. States and ex-ofiico President
VESPASIAN ELLIS,
First Vice President.
JOHN 7. TOWERS,
Mayor Of Washington and ex-officio I'd v. Pres't.
GEORGE ii. PLANT,
Third Vice President.
JOHN NJ. McCALLA,
Treasurer
CHARLES C. TUCKER,
Secretary.
Managers:
HENRY ADDISON, Jos. ii. BRADLEY,
CHAs X. Belt, SAMUEL G. BUsEY
FRENCH S. EVANS JAMES GoRDoY
CBAs w. DAVIS, ROBERT I. KNIGHT
JONI N. CRAIG, JOSEPH LIBBY, SR.,
SAMUEL Il. DOUGLAS, THOMAS A. BRookE.
THOMAS ID. SANDY,
j. s. Editors friendly 10 the cause are requested
10 insert the above address.
G.. TUCKER, Secretary
w