National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-07-27
THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT.
SOME GOOD SUGGESTIONS FROM AN
OLD CITIZEN.


The following letter is from the pen Of one
of the oldest and most respected citizens of
the District, and the hints It contains may be
adopted with advantage by the Monument As
ISOLATION:
To the Editor Of the National RspubliedH:
SIR: am glad the new move in favor OF the
Washington monument is so much more prom
Using. 1t is, l think, owing to the introduction
of a principle which, If 1t had been adopted at
first, would have promptly received more than
all the fun1s estimated as requisite TO complete
the work on the most magnificent scale.
That principle is, in some form or other, to
write the names Of the grateful contributors,
in some small degree at least, with that OF the
"Father of his Country"
It already appears that funds begin to now
in as soon as societies are by name invoked
and their praiseWorthy responses heralded to
their brethren are invitations 70 come and do
likewise. Every citizen in the land wishes the
work accomplished, but In the doubt whether
any good will result from the small mite he
can conveniently spare, without even credit
for the act, he remains silent on this subject.
Perhaps It is q principle of self-love TO a GER
tain degree. Be 1t so. 1t is applicable to
nearly every worthy deed of mankind. We
often do right not only because it is right, but
to win, as we'll Is deserve, the good opinion OF
our fellow-men.
This is done, not by an ostentatious display,
but by acting openly in the face of the world
and without concealment, or that sort of con-
tribution In the dark which is never known or
heard Of. Noble deeds, when known, make
others emulous and elevate the community.
The more they are known the better for the
country.
Let the Washington Monument Association
appoint active agents in every State, who shall
be authorized to appoint others in every county
and city or other subdivision, with power TO
receive funds, provided the donors name, resi-
dence, and day of contribution be entered in q
book and a receipt be given, that receipt to be
sent TO Washington by the donor, to prevent
misuse by some unworthy agents.
Let q register, in alphabetical order, for each
State be Kept by the society as q convenient
reference to the name, residence, date and
amount of contribution Of every individual, so
that he can readily identify himself when he
comes to the city.
1t is pretty general impression that large
portion of the funds heretofore contributed has
never reached its proper destination, and per-
sons hesitate to do that for which they get no
credit and which may 70 into unworthy hands.
These registers and clerks to attend to them
NAV be costly, but If the American people be
assured of the rightful destination of the funds
q rivalry will be created in the noble work of
honoring themselves, in honoring the name
held dear by all. Their own names will be
handed down as long as that monument stands
as humble admirers Of the greatest of man
kind, and all will be glad to contribute some
thing to the tower Of the greatest height on
earth in honor of the greatest and best Of men.
A ducat against a penny the funds will be
more than SUFFICIENT.