Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-05-31
ADDRESS OF THE BOARD OF MANAGERS
WASHINGTON NATIONAL mONU-
MENT SOCIETY,


To Tie People Of tAs United States.
FELLow-C lyIzEss: 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 ls4s.
At that time there in the treasury Of the Assoca-
ton the sum OF S62, 400 SO.
The work has gone on with varied progress until
the sum of $3.50 600 the product OF voluntary contr
buttons alone, has been expended in its erection.
The original estimate Of the cost Of the whole work
the sha the base, and the ornamental part exceeded
The base built Of the blue stone of the Potomac.
solid and ndesructibe, is sunk eight feet below the
surface and rises seventeen and half feet above the
surface OF the surrounding earth II is hftyhye feet
square at its top From this springs the shaft with
walls Of blue stone fifteen feet thick facedwith white
marble fourteen inches thick in two feet in
height tied and bounded into the blue stone at every
course. In its ascent il 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 con-
tributed by States, communities and associations.
This naked shaft, thus rigidly cut, thus firmly
based, thus indissolubly bonded, now rises in It's
simple and grand proportions one hundred and 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 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 70
erect monument to kosciusko, they made 1t labor
Of love, and from every valley and mountain, and
plain and running stream far and near they brought
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.
Va 20 N n
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, ana super
with miraculous speed, has risen to the front rank
among the nations, and we call upon you for aid.
Hitherto, men well known 70 you, have given TO 1t
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 II
was not their work, 1t was yours they were your
Stewards giving their time, and care and lbor, and
money, in the same cause with yon.
But they have failed not for Lick OF energy or zeal
on their part but from want OF that action and sym
patty on yours, which 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
tional metropolis.
While thousands have answered promptly the up.
peal to 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 our TO arrest the prose-
cuon OF the work. and to appeal to Congress for as
sistance
fellow-citizens: TINS Is not suitable object OF
Legislative PROVISION A free prosperous, q thirty
tude, due by every individual heart to be discharged
by an act OF Congressl
A new Board OF Managers have now been appoint
ed We come into Office under favorable auspices
and with wellfounded hopes of means to prosecute
the work Since our election on the 22d February last
have not been idle. Our arrangements have been be-
gun, and are now in progress All causes OF differ
ence between us and the Old Board have, as we hope
been removed, and we will immediately 60 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 cal upon
each man VINO TINS gay walks erect IN All tne pano-
Ply OF freedom IN TINS proaa iand VINO Is not oeau 70
lhe common impulses OF humanity VINO Is worthy
n tne least degree OF tne counuess ana oivsrsineo
blessings py whcn ne Y surroundea, we car upon
men everywhere 70 contrpute each ms niue. great
and mighty people 81 twenty-five millions cannot pc
30 oeao 70 tne sensations Wnicn arc innate ~ every
breast at the bare naming Of such . bsnefActor as