The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-01-06
whose business Is IT.

nnOAt buslutsb - ~
II Mr.. CYRUS w. FIELD is willing to pay
out OF his own pocket for some modest
structure in stone, with an appropriate
Latin or English inscription on 1t, to mark
the spot where GEORGE WAsH1NGToN very
properly hanged the spy, JOHN ANDRE, that
is Mr. FIELDS affair.
A few hot-headcd readers Of THE Sun have
threatened to tear down such memorial and
throw IL into the Hudson. That would he
an act Of vandalism. not Of patriotism. We
all like to feel that we are looking on the
exact spot where an historical event took
place. That Is in human nature. Where do
those who visit Bunker Hill linger longest
Over a slab which bears three simple words
-" Here WARREN Fell" What do scnti-
mental sight-seers first seek out when they
find themselves in Hartford Tho plato
which marks the site of the Charter Oak.
So persons whom business or curiosity may
hereafter draw to Tappan will rejoice that
they have gazed upon the precise spot where
JOHN ANDRE met his fate.
But II Mr.. FIELD makes IL his business to
designate this spot for the benefit OF future
sight-secrs. surely it Is the business OF
other people to at last make tardy atone
lltuL iOl lntli ntE ltNi VI lnc HltiuOi vi ~
man who died as bravely as ANDRE and in
better cause.
II ANDRE had succeeded In the mission
which cost him his life the Continental
army in all probability would have been
annihilated and. GEORGE WASHINGTON
hanged as a rebel. What would have been
tho result II HALE had succeeded in his mis-
sion is matter of speculation and conjoc-
ture. But we know that WASHINGTON at
tachcd supreme importance to 1t, and That
HALE undertook II when other brave men
hung back. 1t was In this city that he re-
ceived WAsH1NGToS's instructions; II was
from here that no started out taking his
young life in his hand 1t was TO this city he
was brought back a prisoner; here he was
condemned without trial, and here he was
brutally put to death. Surely IL any man
deserves monument at the hands Of New
York, 1t Is NATHAN HALE, the immortal
young patriot who was sorry that no had
but one life to lose for his country.
The day after THE Sun first called atten-
ton to the strange neglect OF his memory
by the most generous OF American commu-
mites, an honored citizen claimed the privi-
lege Of giving the first hundred dollars to-
ward suitable monument. The next day
double this sum was offered by another cltl-
zen. On Friday patriotic correspondent at
Tappan came forward with the offer OF yet
another hundred dollars, and on Saturday
another correspondent swelled the amount
by twenty-five dollars. Many Of our read
ers have indicated their desire to give accord
ing 10 their ability. II is already clear that
there will be no difficulty in raising all the
money mot n large SUM that is needed. ia
HALE monument committee were TO he or
ganized tomorrow, its treasurer would
probably be able to report In fortnight, at
been secured.
The SUN has done its part In this bust
ness, and other hands ought TO carry IL
| forward TO completion.
The Historical Society might we'll take II
up. HALE Is tho most romantic and heroic
| figure of a most critical epoch in the history
OF New York. II tho Historical Society Is
unwilling to do more. 1t can at least fix, as
certainly as il now possible, the spot In the
| city where HALE was put 10 death.
Even more fltly might this duty be under
taken by the New York branch Of the Society
OF the Cincinnati. Its members are the
llneal descendants OF HALEs comrades. who
saw him go forth on his dangerous errand,
and who mourned his untmely fate. They,
Of all other Americans Of this generation.
should welcome and supplement the popular
desire to pay proper honor to his memory.