New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-10-21
The Lincoln Monument,

On Thursday last, ine Hileenth instant,
was uavailed at Oak Ridge Cemetery, one
mile fem rhe city of Springfield, Illinois,
the eta ~ II Abraham Lincoln, which has
been DI.4 ii apon the monument erected by
the Natic,i, Lincoln Monument Associa-
ton. The location is that selected by Mrs.
Lincoln asia fitting resting place for the re-
mains of her husband, the martyred Presi-
dent, in lovely region OF that great West
en6eared to Mr.. Lincoln in life by long
residence and association with its people.
Abraham Lincoln tell by assassin hands
April l.. 1865. So soon as funeral honors
had been paid to the dead, and the first ex
preston OF a nations grief had passed
ayay, came the general desire for suitable
memorial shaft to be erected, one that
should stand and tell its story for all time.
This resulted in the formation of the Ma
tional Lincoln Monument Association,
which completed its organization May IL,
1865, under an act OF incorporation con-
forming with the laws OF the State of Illi-
nois. and of which association Governor
Richard J. Oglestry was chosen president.
and James II. Beveridge secretary. Con-
tributions were then invited, which were
invested as fast as received, the lot of six
acres, upon viii. IT, rchument is erected,
was secured .l.. early il 1868 the
| association O.: rc.i prize Of one thou
| sand dollars 70 artists for design
| for the monum"lf The plan submitted by
the Young sculptor, Larkin G. Meade, Jr.,
| was accepted. The base OF the monument
| forms square of seventy-two feet in ex-
tent, and the central shaft rises to an ele.
| yaticn of ninety y-eight feet. On the outer
edge of the crown OF the pedestal are in
scribed in stone the names OF the States
and Territories. one stone being devoted to
each State, the whole forming circuit en-
tirely around the monument. - On each
corner of this pedestal will be placed a
group represen ting respectively cavalry
infantry, artillery and the navy. These
figures are now being manufactured under
the direction of Mr.. Meade, and will cos,
$500 each. The cost of the entire monu
ment, when complete, will be about
100000. Upon the central shaft standf
the figure of Mr.. Lincoln in bronze. The
figure is of heroic size, eleven feet si1
inches high, and ia pronounced an excel
lent likeness.
The ceremony Of unvailing was attended
by President Grant, Secretary Belknap and
host Of the representative men of thu
day. The oration was delivered by Gov
ernor Oglesby. The reading of dedicatory
poem, and music rendered, were incidental
to the OCCASION.
So expensive memorial is not entirely
in keeping with the simple and unostenta
tious life led by Mr.. Lincoln, but it was ;
free will Offering Of private contribution
and will ever be pointed to with nationa
pride. The face of the figure is turned t.
the south. At the dawn of the Christian
era lived man whose mission was to b.
the Saviour Of men, who loved al
mankind. but bad men crucifed him
Abraham Lincoln marked another era, tina
of freedom to all Americans. Fate place,
him in a most trying ordeal. He stood tirn
against treason and a gigantic rebellion
! Those terrible days worked no bitterness
in his heart. He authorized the most lii
eral terms for the acceptance Of rebels i
the field. 1t was only for them to lay dow
, arms and return peaceably to their homes
, | He survived the war with honor and intes
rity unquest;oned; with malice towar
!. none; with charity for ALL" Abraham
, Lincoln. the martyred and noble, was tn
truest friend Southern men ever possessed
. Him they murdered.