Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-07-07
ADDRESS OF THE BOARD OF MANAGERS
WASHINGTON NATIONAL MONU-
MENT SOCIETY,


To the People of he United States.
FELLow-CIrIxxxs: 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 4th Of July ls4s
At that time there in the treasury Of the Assoca-
ton the sum Of $62, 450 SO,
The work has gone on with varied progress until
the sum of $780, 000 the product OF voluntary cont-
buttons alone, has been expended in its erection.
The original estimate Of the cost of the whole work,
| 81, 222, 0O0
The base, built of the blue stone of the Potomac,
solid and indesruchbe, is sunk eight feet below the
surface and rises seventeen 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 it 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
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 apd 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 bills 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, It 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 1t q 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 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 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 acertain extent responded 70 their call 1t
was not their work, it was yours; they were your
stewards, giving their me and care, and lIbor 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
patty 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
hOnal metropolis N
While thousands have answered promptly the APP
peal to their patriotism, and contributed the amount
|
Der either from apathy want Of opportunity, have
failed to join in this work of grateful duty. This
failure compelled our predecessors to arrest the prose-
cution of the work. and to appeal to Congress for
sistance.
Felow.citizens This is not suitable object of
legislative provision. A free, prosperous, thriv-
ing people, will not allow debt Of love and graft
tde, due by every individual heart to be discharged
by an act of Congress-!
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 election, the ed Februarylast
gun, and are now in progress All causes Of differ
ence between and the Old Board have we hope,
been removed, and we will Immediately 90 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 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. A great
and mighty people, Of twenty-five Millions cannot be
so dead to the sensations which are innate in every
breast at the bare naming Of such benefactor, as
to refuse neglect to give their aid in such
cause.
Let evsry man. then, who feels his heart beat with
American pnlsations, and every man who reveres
the name OF Washington, singy 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 O. 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 2h
day of February last, TO wit: II
FRANKLIN PIERCE,
President Of the u. States and ex-ofhcio President
YESPASIAN ELLIS,
First Vice President.
JOHN T. TOWERS,
Mayor Of Washington and ex-oficio Cd v. Pres't
GEORGE II. PLANT,
Third Vice President.
JOHN M. McCALLA,
Treasurer.
CHARLES c. TUCKER,
Secretary.
Adnagevs
HErRY ADDISON, Jos. III. BRADLEY,
Gas. r. BELT, SAMUEL G. BusKI
FRENCH s. EVANS JAMES GoRDos,
CHAs w. DAVIS, RoBERr T. KNIGHT,
JOHN N. Craig, JosErH LIBBY, SR,
SAMUEL T. DOUGLAS, THOMAS A. BRooKH.
JOSIAH +. Polk,
P.s Editors friendly TO the cause, are requested
TO insert the above address.
@. G. TUCKER. Secretary.