Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-06-18
ADDRESS OF THE BOARD OF MANAGERS
WASHINGTON NATIONAL MONU-
MENT SOCIETY.


10 the People Of the United States.
FELLow-CIrnESs We address you on behalf Of
the Washington National Monument Association and
submit for your consideration the following report OF
what has been donei
The cornerstone was laid ON the 4th or July, 1s4s.
At that time there was in the treasury Of the Assoca
ton the sum of $82, 400 &c.
The work has gone on with varied progress until
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, 1895, 900.
solid and ihdestfuctble is sunk eight feet below the
surface and rises seventeen and half feet above the
surface OF the surrounding earth 1t is fty-fve 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 II 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 yet to be placed the stones con-
ributed by States, communities, and associations.
This naked shaft thus rigidy cut thus firmly
based, thus indssolubly bonded, now rises in its
simple and grand proportions one hundred and fifty
two and half feet above the blue stone base II is
already 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-ctzens: We are panied TO say, 1t is your
neglect When the scattered and suhjugated Polish
nation, and the friends of liberty in Europe began to
erect monument to Koscusko, they made it labor
of leve 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 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, aud we call upon you for aid.
Hitherto, men well known to you, have given TO it
long years Of carcfuncss 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 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
tional metropolis.
While thousands have answered promptly the, up
peal to their patriotism and contributed the amount
aiTcauy received ana eApenueu tne lar greater num-
Der either from apathy or want of opportunity, have
failed to join in this work of grateful duty. This
failure compelled predecessors to arrest the prose-
cnton of the work, and to appeal to Congress for
sistance.
Feow-citizens: This is not 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 an act of Congress!
new Board Of Managers have now been appoint
ed. We come into Office under favorable auspices
and with well-tounded hopes of means to prosecute
the work Since our election, on the 22d February last
we have not been 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 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
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
dead to the sensations which are innate in every
breast at the bare naming of such benefactor, as
to refuse or neglect TO give their hid in such u
cause.
Let every man. then, who feels his heart beat with
American pulsations, and every man who reyeres
directly with our Secretary and send
in his contribution to our Treasurer, suggest q
mode for its collection.
BY order Of the Board
CHARLES G. 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 ed
day Of February last TO wit:
FRANKLIN PIERCE
President Of the U. States and exoffico President
VESPASIAN ELLIS,
First Vice President.
JOHN T. TOWERS
Mayor of Washington and ex-offico I'd v. Pres't
GEORGE ii. PLANT,
Third Vice President.
JOHN NJ. McCALLA,
Treasurer.
CHARLES C. TUCKER,
Secretary.
managers
HENRY ADDISON, Jos. H. BRADLEY,
CHAs. II. BELr, SAMUEL G. BUsEI
FREsoH s. EVANS, JAMES GoRDos,
CHAs. w. DAVIS, RoBERT 7. KNIGHT,
JoHs N. Craig, JOSEPH LIBBY, ST.,
SAMUEL L. DOUGLAS, THOMAS A. BRooKE.
THOMAS ID. SANDY,
p s. Editors friendly 10 the cause, are requested
to insert the above address.
G. G. TUCKER, Secretary.