National Republican., 1875-07-20
Our National Disgrace.

CFrom the La Porte (lnd.) Chronlcie.I
The most unsightly object at our National
Capital is the unfinished structure known as
the Washington monument. 1t is unsightly
and repulsiye, not because of its form of height
or general appearance, but because or the dis
grace it reflects upon the nation. Designed at
first to shed lasting honor on the man who was
tFirst in war, first in peace, and first In the
hearts of his countrymen," !" it stands only to
attest that the sentiment is false. If had
never been begun, we might have said that
Washington needed no monument to perpetu-
ate his memory, that he was enshrined in the
hearts of the people, a grander and nobler
monument and a more enduring one than any
ever constructed of brass or marble. But 1t
has been begun, and 1t stands there meaning
less, except to show our ingratitude. No true
American can gaze upon it without feeling hu-
inflated. Foreigners sneer at us because of 1t,
and wonder that so great people, protesting
to love the institutions which Washington
founded, should be guilty of such culpable
neglect.
But we have apologies for the people. The
masses look to the managers of all such en-
terprises as this, and are willing to help If they
are called on in the proper manner, and as
sured that the money will be properly ex-
pended. And we believe that the American
people will give in one day enough to complete
the unfinished shaft, and so remove our ma
tional disgrace. Some effort was made on the
last Fourth of July, but we presume 1t was of
little avail, because the movement was not
made to enlist the active cooperation of the
whole country. We have plan In regard to
this matter, and have already presented 1t to
the association. They have not yet adopted
it: but we trust they will do so, and thus
secure the great object which would be mat
ter of national pride to all, even to those who
seem, but are not really, Indifferent to the
work. Our plan is this: Fix day, we should
saw now, let it be February %, 1876, or an
earlier day, If it is necessary to have the funds
sooner, when the entire country shall be in
yited to contribute. Let the notice. be
given through the press, the pulpit,
all benevolent associations, schools, and
every means of reaching the people; that on q
certain fixed day collection will be taken
to complete the Washington monument, and
that everybody will be expected to contribute
something, from one cent. upward. Let there
be designated repositories in every city, town
and village, perhaps the post offices would be
most practicable, and let the enthusiasm of the
people be worked up until every person will
want to give something. We believe it can be
done through the churches, and Sunday
schools, and day schools, and the press, and
Free Masons, and Odd Fellows, and temper
ance organizations, anu nre companies anu the
people generally, so that on the designated
day million dollars could be handed over to
the Monument Association. Let the method
of procuring funds be thoroughly worked up,
and people would be glad to help, glad to assist
in eVoking the enthusiasm which would bring
contributions. The masses of men are moved
by their enthusiasm. They are governed by
impulse. Feeling and sentiment go further
than cold calculation. Let our people be
stirred TO a white heat on the idea that the
Washington monument must be completed
during our Centennial year; open the channel
as we have suggested, and the contributions
will flow in abundantly.