Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1865-12-10
THE WASHINGTON NATIONAL MO-
NTMENT.

From a lengthy article in the National
hteiiigeRcer, relating the history and present
condition of this work. we extract the fol-
lowing:
The monument grounds have been used
during the war for yarding Government cat
tie, and several large buildings for hay,
grain, stabling, and quarters for Government
officers and wOrkmen, have been erected on
the premises. The house protecting the en-
CINE used for hosting the building material,
the watehman's house, and the shelter con-
tanning the memorial blocks are the only
buildings belonging to the society. The lat
ter-named building is place of great inter
est. 1t is some one hundred and fifty feet
long, and perhaps twenty feet wide. Along
its sides and through the centre are ranged
the blocks of marble, granite, &c, eighty in
number, of which we have just spoken.
Il is well known that each State, while the
work was in progress, contributed memo
rial block, with the State coat-of-armS and
appropriate sentiments inscribed. The blocks
were all, except five, inserted in the inner
surface of the wall, alof, in their designated
places; the lowest of them being hundred
feet from the base, where, il the structure ia
carried-as it will surely be-to completion,
these emblems will be seen and studied by
hundreds of generations, "a the visitors wind
up and down the stupendous staircase or ride
upon the car, as the case may be with the
mode of ascent and descent. Five of these
State contributions had not been inserted
when the work ceased, and are to be seen in
the depository. Michigan presents a massive
block Of pure native copper, weighing z, 100
pounds, some 2 by q feet on the face beau
fifully sculptured, and inscribed, ''Michi-
gan" above, and "An emblem Of her trust
in the Union" under the escutcheon. Yer
mont sends a massive and splendid block of
marble, finely sculptured, with Freedom and
Union" as the motto. New York con-
tributes a superb block of dark stone, grand
" sculptured, and inscribed simply Excel
sior" on the massive shield, which stands in
relief Louisiana sends a block of mouse
colOred marble, inscribed, 1.-THE STATE OF
LOUISIANA, EVER FAITHFUL TO THE Con-
sTITUTIoN AND THE UNION" Tennessee
contributes a fine block Of her native beauti-
full variegated marble, exquisitely finished,
and inscribed in heavy and elegantly cut
letters, "TENNEssEE THE UNIoN-IT
MUST BE PRESERVED"
There are seventy-fvc blocks from miscel-
laneous sources. Cities, towns fire com
panies, Masons, Odd Fellows, Sons Of Tenn
perance military organizations, public
schools, Sabbath schools, literary and scien-
tific associations, are all represented in these
rows of memorials from every section Of the
country; and there are contributions from
Europe, Asia and Africa.
1t is refreshing to explore and study these
memorials. IL transports You to serener and
better DAYS, and before this tide of fraternal
strife had desolatcd the land and left its
madness in the heart The first that meets
your eve at the entrance is a magnificent
granite block Inscribed, First Regiment
Of Light Infantry Massachusetts Militia,
Boston, 1853" and next to this is the SPLEEN
did marble block, superbly sculptured in
bold relief, and inscribed, Fire Department
Of the City Of New York, incorporated Goth
March. 1893" and then there is the block Of
blush stone, Inscribed, al. o. q. f., Grand
Lodge of Mississippi" and by It's side the
massive block of white marble, elegantly
decorated. from the Sons Of Temperance of
Pennsylvania Turkey contributes an elab-
orately formed and sculptured marble me-
mortal the Turkish inscription upon which
is translated as follows: +" So as TO strengthen
the friendship existing between the two
countries, Abdul Maid Kahn has had his
name also written on the monument Of Wash
ington" These words form n chronogram,
1269-1779 Of the Hegira. Above this in
scription Il a monogram signifying, "Abdul
Meiid, son Of MahOmet Kshn !" and upon
a corner are the words, Written by the
Court Poet Must-phl Izyt" The United
States Grand Lodge /. o. o. F. furnishes
fine block Of white marble, elegantly adorned
with emblems in relief, and the Z" 35 public
schools Of Baltimore, 1900 pupils, A. d.
1850" presents another Of like material,
sculptured in the most superb manner, and
bearing IA a sentiment Putnam g'ti
neIut feraf'-Be his the palm who hath
the conquest gained. New Hampshire
sends a granite block, From the
Home Of Starke, BY the ladies Of Manches-
ter" and there il a marble block From
the citizens Of Alexandra, Virginia, the
descendants Of the friends and neighbors Of
Washington, 1851" There b. BLUSH mar
bic block from "The Grasd Lodge (Masons)
Of the State Of Mississippi 10 their Worship
full Brother George Washington,' and
granite block from ChaIiestOwn, The Bun
ker Hill battle ground" There Is block
OF dark fine stone, From the citizens OF
the United States Of Aheriea. residing in
Foo Chow-foo, China, 1857 and one Of
white marble, finely scuIptured, from the