New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1856-03-05
JACKSON nroNuarrsN u AssocIATIoN.

varTxSpN NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
We have received copy Of the report of the Com.
mssioners Of the jackson Monument Association of
This rty presented to the Senate and House of Rep
containing brief account Of the origin
Of the association its officers the steps aken prose-
cution Of the object for which it was originated the
amounts of money collected, the method and times of
disbursement, and final summing up of receipts and
expenses, showing the very handsome balance of
l215S % to be still on hand for any expenses that
may yet be incurred in carrying out the designs of
the association. Gs~--,ss4as-- Sss
The earlier steps taken towards the accomplishment
ofthe objectin view, reeited at lengths but, as
we have hardly more than touched the fifth year
since they were naugurated, it is needless to recte
more than the general outlines of development that
have followed. The association was organized on te
eleventh. Of January 1851 and in February, 1922
report made showing the operations up y
time, and giving a described detail OF inc uiiahs
ments made for the statue The corner stoiie hiiN
was laid in Jackson square, III lS4u, py yen,
himself was removed on the SOtf OF oet, 1900 a"'
deposited, together with box conillill
coins and documents within the pedestal OF the pres
ant stafne. III Feb 1859 the Legislature passed an
OF inco,norati,a d Board of Commissioners and max
;n, annronria tons towards the erection of an eques
t,ao stafI,e TO lie placed In Jackson square and,
also for the erection Of ii battle monument, in COM
men1oration Of the glorious victory achieved by Gen
eral jackson over the English army
II was hoped that the statue might be in readiness
for Inauguration on the Eighth Of January and in
order that it might be here in time, was shipped
early in December but, owing, to contrary winds,
the vessel did not arrive until the 9th, leaving too
erection on the day proposed The naug uration was
accordingly postponed for one month and one day;
when, on the 9th Of February it was placed where it
now stands, and, VIC trust, ever may, memento of
the past and moral for the future. The ceremonies
which attended the occasion were recorded by us at
length at the time of their occurrence, and leave it
only to be said that they reflected the highest honor
on all concerned. The statue, has long been due
from the city to the memory Of the day, the heroism
of the sodery, the courage and ability Of the COM
lnander. AT last it is in its place to welcome the
in its awnng and be crowned with the last rays of
its light as it leaves usn the evening whence the
morrow shall bring it back brighter and more beauti
full to regild that which has been dinlmed by the
dews of night. J ,s g..
Asa work ofart alone-all connection it may have
with the great event celebrated in it, being wholly
| overlooked the statue is a glory and source
of pride: an American statue, wrought by an
American artist and placed on American soil, in
honor Of an American hero. But when to this is
added the great beauty of design and perfection of
inish the spirit and tone that breathes through it
we may well hope that its perpetuity shall be COM
mensurate with thefame of the man whose character
alone gives life and spirit to it.
For this work Nj. Mills has been paid thirty thou.
sand dollars; he claims, however the additional sum
of five thousand, on account of losses and for rea
sons which the Commissioners consider sufficient to
| entitle him thereto The expenses Of the Inaugural
/ ton and all the arrangements 1evolyed upon the
Jackson Monument Association, and were met by it
without any cost to the city. The whole of this
| expenditure amounted only to 81 500 80.
The last report of the Jackson Monument Associa
ton announced to the Legislature that the Commits
sioners had secured eligible spot upon the battle
ground Of 1915 for carrying into execution the duties
imposed on them under the legislative act Of February
1852 The Commissioners unanimously determined
that the manifest design of the State the con-
struction Of shaft, rsingto towering height so as
to form conspicuous point of attraction and eleva
tion which could be discelned at distance of many
miles; and thus whilst impressing The beholder with
the oftness of the structure, designate likewise for
all time to come the site of that great and wonderful
achievement which delivered city from destruction
and the soil Of Louisiana from foreign invasion. Ac
cordngy they advertised for plans, terms and speci
fcatons for the erection Of shaft obelisk thu
battlefield of the Sth of January, 1915, the matera
tobe either of iron Or marble. On the 30th Of May
the joint plan of Newton Richards and John Strou
& Co., for a marble shaft $50 feet high, 1G feet
inches at the base above the foundation, and u fee
G inches at the apex, was accepted for the sum 0
$57 ,OOO The contractors have already gone to work
and the foundation is completed to height of L
feet, presenting the most solid piece of masonry il
the State, and capable of sustaining three times tn
intended weight. The times and rates of payment ar
so arranged as to be sufficient for the contractors,
at the same time safe for the Commissioners. TIL
sum of $500 has been paid for work already done
and it is expected that the monument will be con
peted in the two ensuing years.
4 In this simple statement Of facts, there is 1nuc
credit reflected upon city and State, as also upo
the Commissioners, and something subtracted frol
the trite cant concerning the ngrattude of republic