The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1874-10-23
The Lincoln Monument.


after the assassin had done his mur-
derous work. While his remains
we're being borne slowly through the
country to their final resting place.
letters were received daily from all
parts of the country, suggesting
that a great national monument be
erected over his grave. No monu-
ment whatever its proportions, or
however perfect as q work Of art,
could have adequately symbolized
the love and honor entertained BY
him for hisGountrymen. A refined
poetical Imagination has spoken OF
sculpture as ''petrifed music, fancy
ing that the disembodied sounds
while floating through the air, we're
caught and transformed into notion
less proportions of grace, harmony
and beauty. Could some artist have
seized the feeling Of love, reverence
and sadness that pervaded the heart
of the nation on the announcement
of the tragical death of the Presi-
dent, expressing it in words, or upon
the canvass or in marble, it would
have resulted in more trsnscendent
work than imagination ever pro-
duced. Bot the nation has, in GER
tain degree, given an appropriate
and enduring expression OF its adj
miration and love for the great Pres
ident. It has inaugurated beauti-
ful monument in the city where
President Lincoln lived and prac-
ticed law, where he enjoyed his first
triumphs as q public speaker and
won his first victories in the rsce for
political honors, and where he lived
in the midst of contentment until
called forth by the voice Of the ns-
ton to steer the ship of state through
the storms of war.
On the morning Of the oath OF
April, 1855, the State Journal, pub
lished in Springfield, Illinois, sug-
gested the formation Of the "Nation-
al Lincoln Monument Association"
The suggestion was acted upon and
a call issued for contributions 20 the
work. The people responded prompt
ly. A contract was entered into with
Mr. Larkin G. Mead, Jr., who agreed
to furnish all the statuary in bronze
as follows:
1. A statute Of Lincoln, not less
than ten feet high, for Si3,700
2. A group representing Infantry,
containing three figures and appro-
pirate accessories, the figures to be
not less than seven and q half feet
high, fof $IS.7OO.
3. A group Of cavalry, to contain
a horse and two human figures, with
appropriate accessories, the human
figures to be not less than seven aud
half feet high, and the horse in
proportion, for the sum Of $1,000.
4. A group of artillery, to contain
three figures and appropriate acces-
sories, the figures to be not less than
seven and half feet high, Tor slS,-
700.
5. A marine group, to contain
three figures and appropriate acces-
sories, the figures to be not less than
seven and half feet high, for $lS,-
100.
6. The coat Of arms Of the Unit.
ed States, as shown in the specidca-
tions. for 81, ,500-makiug total Of
$4,000.
This agreement was strictly car
red out and a contract was soon at
| ter entered snto between the AssOei-
alton and MIR. Richardson,Of Spring
field, in whico he agreed to erect the
monument, in Oak Ridge Cemetery,
according to the plans and specidca-
tions adopted by the Association, for
the sum of $l36,5 The total con
tributions 10 the monument fund
amount TO $IS0120. Two OF the
groups are yet uncompleted, but it is
expected that funds for their COM
Lpletion will soon be raised in Boston
and Philadelphia.
In a recent number Of the Leader
a full description of the monument
was published. Those who were
present at its dedication on Thurs
day we're very enthusiastic in their
admiration of the work, and it has
vet been the subject of no adverse
criticism. Though its cost was
small in comparison with the large
number of individuals who contribu-
ted to it, still it can be declared en-
phaticallY q work Of the nation. II
contains an offering from represents
tives of every branch of society.
The contributions averaged about
one dollar per man for the soldiers
and sailors in the army aud navy.
! About $4,000 came from the cOlored
soldiers in the United States army,
and over $4,000 we're given by Sun
! day Schools of the land. There we're
contributions from churches, from
I lodges of Masons and Odd Fellows
| from private individuals, and q large
sum was deposited in boxes, putu
in banks, post-ofices and other pub
| lie places. The dedication services
we're in every respect suited to the
occasion. About $4,000 persons
we're present, among whom were all
the members Of the Grand Army Of
the Tennessee, the President Of the
United States, several members Of
his cabinet and the leading officers
OF our army. Senator Oglesby de-
Iivered an eloquent address review
ing the life and services Of the Illus
trious dead. Ex- Vice President
4 CoIfax, Vice President Wilson, Gen
eral Sherman aud others spoke BRIEF
/ lv, a eoncourse Of singers ehanted
SWith malice toward none, with
charity to all" and the stately mon
ument was left to mark tie spot OF
him who sleeps beneath it and to
unite with history in perpetuating
his fame.
Active BensvoIence
RoDovoIanoa.i Ia not a THING to he