Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1866-02-22
SI(OII) EDITION,
q O'CLOCK r. N.
WASHINGTON NATIONAL MONUMENT
SOCIETY.
Interesting Proceedin:s-Presiden John
sou

Interesting Experimentation John
son present.
The Washington National Monument So
ciety held its annual meeting at the City Han
to-day, for the election Of officers
On motion of DR. Blake the old officers were
unanimously reelected.
At this time IL was announced that President
johnson (who is ex- oficio President of the
Washington Monument Associatinn) had ar
rived, and the Association adjourned to the
Court Room to receive him. He entered, ac-
companied by Col. Riyes, one OF his private
where he was addressed on behalf OF the As
ISOLATION, in eloquent terms, by the venerable
Philip X. Fendall, Esq, Of the Washington
bar.
MIR. FendalI said that the Washington Ma
ional Monument Society welcomed him with
their heads and hearts. TApplsusel This
was the first anniversary Of the Father of his
country since the accession OF President John
son 10 the chief magistracy. They felt grateful
hat he had found it practicable TO give them
he aid and sanction OF his presence, and this
assurance OF sympathy in their course. They
knew we'll from the Presidents past life that
he cherished the memory OF Washington and
the Union OF the States. tApplause.l This
society was private association, organized TO
remedy the neglect of the representatives Of the
people OF the country IN carrying out the will
of the people to erect a suitable monument TO
he memory of the Father of his country. BY
he year ISIS they had raised sufficient funds
% Justify the commencement of work on tho
monument. They designed TO carry IL TO a
hight as much above any other monument in
the world as the character of Washington is
higher than that of any other parsonage in his
tory. [Applause.l Untoward events have
suspended the operations of their pious enter
prise. The civil war came on, which never
would have occurred had the counsels OF
Washington TO stand by the Union OF the States
prevailed. They in common with the citizens
OF the United States felt grateful for the efforts
the President was making 10 restore peace TO
all parts OF the country. IApplause.l
President Johnson made a short but fehcit-
Gus and feeling reply. in which he spoke OF the
satisfaction ii gave him 10 participate in pro-
ceedings intended for the resumption and COM
pletion of a work TO the memory of him who
was "First in War, first in Peace. and first in
the hearts of his countrymrn." GApplausp.
Though able TO be with them but a short time,
he had wished to be present TO give what little
aid he could TO an undertaking ia which every
American citizen felt pride, and wished TO adj
vance. He trusted that If there were any
States that had not contributed to. or placed
their pledges in that monument of UNION, they
would hasten TO do so. GApplause.l He pro-
ceeded in eloquent terms TO urge the complete
restoration OF khe Union, and spoke of this
monument TO Washington as n common bond
OF Union uniting all the States. Let en-
courage the restoration of the Union, and re-
move Impedmcnts, instead of throwing i'm
pediments in the way of that restoration. APP
piause.l Let this monument rise. In the IAN
guage of the celebrated and distinguished
statesman, let this monument rise higher and
higher TO meet the sun in its rising, and re-
ceiye its parting rays in setting. TApplausr. !
On his conclusion. the assem- blage embraced
the opportunity 10 take the President by the
hand and on his leaving the City Hall he v as
the recipient OF round Of hearty applause.