The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1875-10-24
the wANnvNUTON ouE,.,.x,

For years an obelisk. to commemorate
the lofty patriotism and virtues of Amer
ica's true hero. George Washington, has
been In the course of erection. 1t il now
La feet high, the contemplated height
being ass feet, with stone terrace APP
proaches 200 feet In diameter. When
completed, it viii be the highest mont,.
ment in the world. Although long neg
lected in the midst of party prejudice and
chickering's, it will surely not be left I'M
finished until after the hundredth ami
versary Of the independence won
by the immaculate sword of the
Christian gentleman and stcadtast
patriot, Washington. As the Cen
tcnnial approaches, all the scenes
in the struggle of l776 return in vivid
colOrs, and we look over this broad, pro.
ductive republic, and wonder at the re-
suits that sprang from the heroic deed,
of our ancestors, led by George Washing.
ton. Nearly one hundred years have
elapsed since our liberties were assured
and yet no monument in recognition Of u
leadership SO successful. will not the
foreign visitors of the Quaker City, ant
lccts OF the old world, say: "T'here is nc
gratitude In republics. They do not rev.
ercnce their bcnefactors." Every section
OF the country should cndeavor
/ a., 81. t..
completion OF the Washington obelisk.
The committee that has the work in
charge is taking advantage of the Cen
tennial spirit, and has issued an address
to the people Of the republic, the follow
ing being Il portion Of it:
We have invited the representatives of
foreign nations to assist at our Ccnten-
NAL celebration; they have accepted the
invitation, and from all races and all
climes they will come. II, in 1876, this
shaft remains as it now is, we shall seek
in vain to evoke the admiration Of our
visitors by pointing to our vast natural
resources and mere material progress.
This abandoned monument will speak to
our shame OF principles dishonored, obi
cations repudiated, gratitude forgotten,
insulted In the very capital of the
country which he saved, and within
sight OF the spot which his sacred remains
have made the hottest shrine OF liberty
Are we willing to call together the pcO-
pie of the world TO witness such specta-
Gle rs this: Rather let this glorious
monument highest structure ever
erected. and to the brightest name in hui
man history-be completed, so that man
kind, pointing to the uneQualed shaft, may
say, "Sce how they loved him.
Our Western grain-fields feed the
world our natural Oil-sprinys illuminate
its darkness; our inexhusstiblc coal
mines give 1t warmth; our cotton and
wool clOthe it; our copper and IRON
mines furnish it with all machinery and
utensils; our marble-quarries contribute
the material for statues and mausoleums
in all lands ;our silver passes current the
wide world round and our gold shines
in the crowns Of foreign mOnsrchs
Is there no pittancc OF all this wealth
which grows brighter and brighter rs the
years roll on.
Can American orators rehcarse the his
tory Of his undying achievements at our
coming 'jubilee"; can American poets
sing his praise; can American women
veneratS the tender chivaIry of his char
acter can American statesmen honor his
memory can American children study
his life and not feel that, before we are
ready to celebrate the Centennial-whch,
without Washington, would not have
been ours-the disgrace OF the people
must be retrieved, and from all this broad
land must come the response:
The sum required to complete the Obelisk
is $500 600. Various States, deeming it a
patriotic duty they owe the nation, are
subscribing sums OF money to the fund.
Minnesota has given $1,000, Connecti-
cut, 5000: New Jersey, 5000; and
New York, 10000. The various societies
in the United States are contributing to
1.-THE Grand Masonic Lodge Of Illinois,
while in session in Chicago, appropriating
81 600. 1t also recommended all the other
Masonic lodges to follow its worthy and
patriotic example. In the year 1893
Congress appropriated 100000 for {
statue OF Washington. No part OF that
sum has been touched. Why should il
not be devoted to the completion OF thi.
obelisk.
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vnuTARuAu NATES