National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-10-22
THE WASHINGTON KoEUKEHT

IN OHIO.
The Cleveland Herald, one of the best
and brightest papers in Ohio, has good
word to say for the movement that is now
being made TO complete the monument to
Washington in this city. The article is
long one, but as it fully explains the plan
of the present appeal to the patriotism of
the country we reproduce it in the hope of
aiding in the work the gentlemen who are
so calamity endeayoring to wipe out this
national disgrace:
1.-The majority Of our readers are aware that
there has been a recent revival of interest in
the affairs of the great unfinished monument
to George Washington which has been stand
ing on the mall Just south Of the Executive
Mansion in the city that be planned and that
bears his name. This interest has been
awakened by final appeal to the patriotism Of
the people, made some two months since by
the society, for funds to enable them to re-
sumo work upon and to finish that at present
unsightly structure.
''The motive of the Monument Society, as set
forth in the circular letters addressed by them
to the various organized bodies and societies
AAACe5AOA1 Vic 1CAA4Aa - JIG NuAb oppo2A1 W
the gratitude Of every citizen Of our free land,
namely: To wipe out an ugly blot upon the
national honor which has been subject Of
scorn and Of sarcastic remark by all the ma
tons during many years. The plan deter
mined upon to accomplish this noble end is
generally understood, it is presumed; but that
all may understand It we again present it to
our readers. 1t is intended to appeal to every
organization, whether secret or otherwise, in
the country TO make contingent pledges for
whatever amount It may desire TO give, no
pledge to be redeemed until Official notice Is
received stating that the $500, 900 necessary to
complete the monument at an altitude of 4S5
feet has been promised. Then the societywil
call on each society or order that has made
contingent pledge for one half the amount
subscribed, and will at once resume the work,
and in six and twelve months from the date Of
the first payment they viii call for the balance
of the subscription. The society give It out
in positive terms that they will not again at
tempt to resume the work until they have
enough subscribed TO enable them, without
possibility Of failure, to go on to completion,
and in this they act wisely. The country can
not afford to undergo the disgrace of any more
failures in this regard.
Doubtless the interests of the Monument
Society have suffered good deal in years past
by bad management. The plan Of sending out
irresponsible collecting agents some years ago
was bad one, and 1t is very likely true that
enough money was given those agents TO build
the monument. The present society Is char
tered by Congress, and its officers are men Of
unblemished fame. They dropped the strolling
collectors when they came into Office, and have
never sent out an agent since. Gentlemen like
the President of the United States, the General
Of the Army, Rear Admiral Powell, Of the
navy; Hen. John NJ. Brodhead, second Comp
troller Of the Treasury; W. ". Corcoran, the
WeIl-known philanthropist; George W. Riggs,
the distinguished banker; j. Bayard Smith,
DR.. John B. Blake, John Carroll Brent and
other high officials, need no Endorsement as 10
their integrity, and the country, therefore, can
rest assured that money contributed under the
present auspices viii not be misapplied. No
contributions wiz be touched by Intermediary
fingers, but viii 60 ct once to tie treasurer,
and win be used alone for the purpose for
which contributed. This may set at rest any
suspicion that irresponsible hands VIII have
any control Of the funds given towards the
building Of this monument.
g The Monument Society, then, being. CON-
posed Of gentlemen Of known repute, and Aav-
ing set IN motion plan 50 simple, practical
and safe, whereby the monument may be I'm
ished BY fair show Of patriotism on the part
of the American people before the close Of the
one hundredth year Of American Independence,
it would seem only Just that the great Amsri-
canpublic should respond, and respond prompt
", to this appeal. A few dollars from each Of
the bodies and societies in the country wiz do
the work. Many Of the grand bodies Of the
secret organizations in the country have recon-
mended that all subordinate bodies take prompt
action; notably Is the Grand Lodge ofodd Fell
lows at their recent meeting at Atlanta, Ga.
We have no hesitation in predicting that the
citizens Of Ohio wiz do their full share in this
great patriotic work"