Weekly American. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1858-1858, 1858-02-27

" and the rest Of mankind" as implying willing
ness on their part, to let any other proposed
scheme for raising funds be fairly tried But
aiasi the Sed4ctions Of The National Treasury
Well, at this point of time, and in the midst of
these exigencies which oppressed the Monument
Board, the American" party had arisen, and bid
fair to overwhelm all opposition.
The condition of the finances Of the Monument
Board were known. An organization which had
adopted the maxims and policy of Washington as
their national platform, was fast rising to the
zenith Of influence n was deemed appropriate BY
the National Council of this organization, at its
meeting in The aH Of 1854, held at Cincinnati to
ratiy and approve Of plan, eoncocted By some
Of the ioisest heads and purest hearts Of the Repub-
Tic, By which to carry out the original design of
tie Washington National Monument Society, and
build the monument by the ''voluntary contribu-
tons" Of the people, and not BY reluctant appro-
priations from the Federal Treasury Say, ye
who cherish the principles-who reverence the
name, and who would eternize the memory of
Washington, Das there tredson---,uas there viliany
--pas there dishonor in sucl resolveS
The National American Council confided to the
Americans" of Washington the task of placing,
by their legitimate votes the charge Of completing
the monument in the hands Of the American
party-and nobly, manfuly, enthusiastically did
they perform the task assigned them! And who
had cause of complaint? Not those surely, who,
after twentyodd years of fruitess effort confessed
their inability to carry out she enterprise, and
threw themselves upon the charity Of Congressl
But the American party has tailed to build the
monument! This fact furnishes food for grovel-
ling demagogues and fendish politicians, but it
neither detracts from the merits of an honorable
effort, nor relieves the predecessors of the Ameri
can Board of Managers from whatever odium be-
longs to their failure!
But why did the American Board fail in their
efforts? In the fall and winter of lS54-5 the
American party had not been divided and dis
tracted by the Interpolation of extraneous ques.
tons into their platform. No outside issues had
been pressed upon the party, and it was strong in
they sympathies and support OF the American
people. In an evil hour the National Council
yielded to the adoption of opinions and the ex.
preston of views on questions wholly foreign to
the original purposes of the organization. The
month Of June 1855 witnessed the disruption Of
the American party, and with this disruption the
hopes of the American Board of Managers van
ished. Even the concerted efforts of the 'old
Board" of Managers to discredit the american"
Board would have been powerless for harm, had
the American party remained united.
1t was in vain that remoddelling of the plat
form in February, 1856, was effected. The dis
tracted elements of the party could not be col
lected and combined. Without political union
| there could be no concert of action towards the
monument, and without such concert of action,
the original purpose Of the National Council, in
adopting the plan Of completing the monument
must, of course, be abandoned.
| Prior to the actual and effectual disruption OF
the American party, the National Council Of June,
1855, had, by resolution, cordially endorsed and
approved the action of the Americans of Wash
ngton, in obtaining control of the monument, in
accordance with the previous arrangements sane
toned by the National Council, in the fall of 1854
But the disruption came, and with it the defeat
Of the plan referred to. Hence the failure of the
american" Board OF Managers TO build the monu.
ment.
In referring to the facts and dates bearing upon
the questions at issue in regard the Irregular cleo
ton" Of the officers of the Society, as well as in
presenting the points calculating the motives Of
the Americans" of Washington in obtaining the
control of the monument in 1855, it has only been
my purpose to discharge the duty owe to the
Americans" of this city, and to my associates Of
the late American" Board of Managers.
/ write this to defend my associates, my politi-
cal friends, and myself, against the reckless and
INSCRIPTIONS assaults Of our political enemies, and
not to assa the motives of any member of any
one Of the different Boards Of Managers. Far
would it be from me, even were it in my power, to
do any act in the remotest degree irjuriot to the
cause of the completion of the monument Nc
matter what changes in the management of the
enterprise may occur, its success will always have
my deepest sympathies
| Another word and am done.
The Anti-American party have now possession
of all the books, papers and accounts Of the late
and former Boards which have escaped the secret
violence of treachery. Investigations have here
tofore been suggested-expostions have beer
threatened-dark and damning inuendoes against
the american" Board have been advanced. Now
then, let shape and form be given to whatever &C
cusations our assaiants may wish to investigate,
and let the investigation come. In behalf of my
late associates Of the american" Board Of Mana
gers, assume the responsibility Of inviting-nay,
more-chalenging our assailants to make good
the insinuatons with which they have filed the
public ear.
| February 25, 1858. VESPASIAN ELLIS.
Later from Mexico.