Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-02-23
air.hdaX Of Washington.

m. hosom of every American, of honest i'm
mise CLOVIS with pride and patriotism, on each
ra,urn of that joyous day, which gave birth TO
~ ;v,ustrious man, who was first in war,
first in peace, and first in the hearts OF his
oounuymen" In no portion of this great con-
federacy, are these sentiments more deeply felt
or more warmly manifested, than in this Ma
tional Metropolis, bearing his ever honored
name the site of his own selection Tor the Gap
itol Of republic, to the foundation and pros
nerity Of which he had, beyond any other IN
dividual, contributed. Nor at any tune, dur
ing the now more than half century, since
his noble spirit fed from earth to Heaven, have
these sentiments gushed forth, in this, his
chosen city, with more Of ardor, or Of sincerity,
than on yesterday.
There was, it is true, no gorgeous and giit-
tering pageant--no extraordinary public COM
motion--no ringing Of bells or laundering Of
cannon--no military display, beyond that which
is witnessed weekly, and upon ordinary occa-
sions--to signalize the anniversary Of day
which gave birth to nations saviour. But
without these Accomplishments Of public joy
without this grand military display-the
Americans" of this metropolis demonstrated
their attachment to the name and fame Of
Washington, by an act which STANDS out IN
bold relief amongst the innumerable past mani
festations of q peoples love, gratitude, ana
admiration. They had silently, yet solen'nty
resolved that the "WAsHNGToN MONUMENT"
should be completed, and on yesterday TOOK
effective measures to carry out their noble re-
solves.
In the year 1884, Society was formed in
this city, to erect a monument OF marble, oy
nriyate contributions, not to perpetuate the
fame Of Washington, which is imperishable,
but to bear witness of just appreciation by
the people Of this age, Of the virtues which
adorned the hero and the statesman, whose glo-
r;ous name it bears Slowly has it risen from
;ts foundations One-fourth, perhaps, OF its
destined height, has been reached, whilst
twenty years Of time have passed away, ana
hundreds Of thousands of dollars have Decn
contributed by the citizens OF the umted
States, in furtherance Of the object indica-
ted. The purposes Of the contributions have
not been realized. The pile stands, a specta
Gle. mournfnl for an American to contemplate
It does not become us noao nor have we tn
data to enable us, were it proper, to sag, upol
whom the censure rests, if any be due, for IN
acknowledgment of the washington Monu
ment fund,--or for whatever other cause ma
retarded the completion Of the structure. Al
we know, with certainty is, that there 1t standi
;ncomplete.--not half finished, after a laps
of twenty years, and that the countrymen
Washington, the g Americans of this metroI
oils determined on yesterday, to take int
their own keeping, this monument and its
fairsl Yesterday was the day OF the tr1enni'
election Of the officers and managers OF 10
washington Monument Society. The Amel
lean uarty " attended the polls and cast ever
ballot that was given .ftb. M.
To our friends abroad this phase % 'n0 una
fer NAV REQUIRE an e5y United States is exc
s--.sscsdft the Washington Monume,
Society. The Mayor of this city is exotic
the second Vice President Of the Society. III
first Vice President third Vice President Sc,
rotary, Treasurer, and thirteen managers, 4,
elected triennially by the members Of the 81
ciety. All native or naturalized adult cit
zens, who have contributed one dollar or NOR
to the fund, are thereby entitled to member
ship, and Of course to vote for all the officer
OF the Society, exclusive Of the President an
second Vice President
The presentation Of certificate of contribu
ton, authorizes the person to whom il wa
issued to cast his vote. More than one hun
dred thousand such certificates are probably
held in the United States
The elections are held in Washington city
on tho 22d day of February, triennially.
At the last two or three elections, not more
than dozen votes were cast and those wer,
given by the officers and managers themselves
and thus they have continued in officel
The condition Of the monument, as heretofore
described, and the complaints made Of its slow
progress, and of its supposed Encouragement
induced the American party" to undertake
its completion. Measures were adopted by the
American party" to elect such gentlemen as
would use their best exertions to attain the end
in view. Contributions were made to the mon
ument fund by the members of our party here,
who thus secured membership in the Monu-
ment Society,"" and the consequent right to
vote for its officers.
Our purposes were patriotic, and as modest
men, we forbore to boast of our intended
charitable deeds" As usual, at the hour
appointed by public notice, the Washington
Monument Society" met at their rooms in the
City Hall. But an unusual asscmblage was
discovered. The late officers and managers
of the Society were mostly on the ground
Mayor Towers, of Washington, ex ofhcio
second Vice President took the chair and called
the Society to order. On motion, the Society
adjourned to the Common Council chamber, In
the same building, as more convenient for so
large meeting Tellers were appointed and
the balloting commenced. The late officers
and managers who were present were sur