Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-08-04
PUBLIC LEDGER.
rHK wAsH1NaroN MoNuMENr


They are talking Of completing the
Washington monument at Washington
City. What for2 Why perpetuate the
memory Of man whose principles have
become a mockery, and whose name is
rarely invoked but to cloak some politi-
cal villainy2 Rather let the base ofthat
magnificent structure be leveled with the
earth, than stand monument Of the
baseness of our time. Any corrupt
demagogue can gather together WAITS
from the high sounding eulogies which
have celebrated above all others the
name of the Father of his Country, and
ring them in the ears Of the people But
he is keen-sighted who can perceive In
the transactions of the day, any
respect whatever paid by the governing
class to the free principles which that
spotless patriot bequeathed toas' States
and countries, in honor of his services
in the cause of liberty, have sent their
marble and their granite to form part
of the monumental structure. Every
civilized people have made their contri-1
button. Marble from the palace OF the
Caesars is there, torn from the wilder
ness of Rorne's almighty ruins, doing
homage to a greater than CESAR Con-
centrated there is the veneration OF the
earth, but only to be shamed by the de-
generacy of those who were honored
above all other people in the gift OF
WASHINGTON.
Rather let it remain in its unfinished
condition, as rebuke to the false as
sumption that we have advanced beyond
the basement of liberty. WASHINGTON
was full grown, and filled the world with
his fame. But the principles he fought
for and introduced have not been erected
into perfect temple of liberty any more
than his monument has lifted its tower
and spire to the clouds Why should we
honor him whose counsels we disdain,
and of whose glory we prove ourselves
to be unworthy inheritors2 How will
the nations laugh, and the enemies OF
freedom and virtue deridel There, they
will say, stands the monument OF your
Colossus, while you walk as pigmies I'M
der its shadows. His fame is divine, but
it is wasted on tyrants and slaves. Better
level the base to the earth than disgrace
the finished structure. WASHINGTON re-
fused regal honors when he held in his
hand the sword, and might have welded
the sceptre of America. He preferred the
liberty Of his people rather than the
charms of power. His great heart beat
for the human race, not for the interests
of faction, and a life that might have
been devoted to ease, was passed amid
the storms of battle and the aggravations
of civil administration He died, and left !
the brightness Of his fame and the wis
dom of his counsels to his countrymen
Shall we he denounced as unworthy Of
one, and incapable of profiting by the
other? He warned us against the dan. |
gers of sectionalism and party spirit.
We have allowed these to triumph,
and the Constitution to be trampled under
foot And shall we dare to claim to be
his children now {? 1t is the custom to
visit his tomb at Mount Vernon. Carr
osity is the leading motive, no doubt
We do not perceive that any one returns
from that holy sepulchre, better or a
wiser man. The teachings of his life
are discarded The Government he be-
oueathed us is not the government we
have to-day All virtue seems to have
departed, flying before faDaticism and
anarchy. When we return TO the prin-
ciples Of WAsHSoToY, We may call him
Father. When we have restored the lib
erty Of the people, the freedom of the
government, and the national brother
hood, then we may finish the monument
1t is shameful to attempt it before. 1t is
an insult TO the memory of the greatest
character NJ all this earth