, 1881-03-06
THE FIRE OF 1874.

Comm nsemorate 1t by Laying the Corners
Stone or IL Public Library Building
How to Tzaise the Money.
To the Editor of The Chicago Trtbune-
CHICAGO, March al have been an interested
reader of tho various suggestions which have
been made from time to time during the past
few weeks regarding the comtuemoratton Of the
great fire Of 1871 By the people Of Chcngo.
I do not think tho event itself one which pos
sesscs nny feature which it would be pleasing to
celebrate. The celebration Of any event which
but rccIlls the saddest and bitterest memories
Is rcpugnAHI to human nature. We properly
| cclebra tc only such events as we're either the
prime or proximate cause of that which was OF
great good or lasting; benefit to our racc. While
tho destruction Ut this great city was mast
unparalleled calamity, the ashes Of our grief.
gave growth to the most signaly universal gen
crosity tho history Of humanity has ever re-
corded Many Of the schemes suggested nre
worthy OF tho grcut conception and grand ex-
ecutton Of our unrivaed city, but nune seem to
be peculiarly appropriate to the commemora;; en;.a;
ton Of thEt which, born OF this event, excited
the admiration of orlr rucc-
Among the many generous deeds wnich It
nrcat @ II Pubic % Ltbrury,othat, though 4 man might
be rubbed Of uil his goods md chattels In u SIN
gle day. yet his mind could be engaged, his BET
ter nature cultivated, his ambitions again
| aroused, and hope stir to action the hands which
| otherwise despair might ercrnally shlcxle-
The Fne 4 hS S7 Rssn5 the ba aeS
| blesr Of all human virtues. we have cherished
md fostered it as the offspring OF iore, until 1t
| Thousands among us have been benefited and
euuQiled By its establishment. and each recur-
ring emonth but bears witHcss to its Grand work-
our midst is more dear to the heart ct the gen
crnl public than our great tree library. When.
technlcnlity this institution was to be deprived
of the use Of the old POST Office Huild-
ing, unanimous, though unuttered, protest
arose from tho people against the seeming
wrong. 4 calamity had befnen US. The build
ing had been procured of the General Govern
cd US it WIS. ut tho hands Of its friends, brought
deep and sincere regret from the people, because
IN no way so useful to the higher education md
uptuildiny Of our citizens could it be employed
would respectfully suggest to tho gentlemen
having charge Of this matter, and to the people
OF this gr.uI city, that there could he no mUre
fitting ana graceful commemorntion Of tho
worlds unstintcd generosity consequent upon
our great fire thin BY generously contributing
to the erecuon Of monument In our midst.
which itself would contribute something to the
worlds general good. Our wealthy citizens
who haTe Gr1n Wsdny oas Sa sng a Rfp5 n
charity-could in no wny erect monument so
credtable to their memories rs IN thus paving
recognition to the worlds wonderful bened-
cence, ]. for one, sincerely believe, and do not
hesitate to express the belief thut there are
many wealthy gentlemen IN Chicago who would would
gladly erect such a monument" more lasting
Ihuu br,tss, more enduring than MARBLE.
AS our Library has fur outgrown its present
unit quarters and Is far too valuable 70 be-
suitable building should ut once be erected for
tsuse. Many books in our Library could never
be replaced, and insurance Is, therefore, prnc-
ticaiiy OF nO nvail- Why do our citizens. then,
= tand idly by and see this important matter
nm ha, rar Il y snpy psee
alton. would beg leave to present plan.
hastily and crulejy conceived: In. which each
Chicngo-would have part. Let this Commit
tee OF gentlemen. with our Mayor ut Its heatt.
together with such other gentlemen Us may .tn
ind, hn ntl1f.i DrCCEAG to
| the soliciting Of contributions from cur people
to be used IN tho erection Of great public
ness-mcn ness M pe il, Mi parts Of this city,
o3 .a TO
SUM Ut 10 cents, und whether IN adult or child
| write his or her name OH these books OF sub
men: be issued for the contribution. Let our
powerful and worthy press give continued pub
licity to the scheme and ITS pure ana generous
and child5 name IN this great city Will oe 1ouh0
on these books. and cards Of acknowiedgmens
Pie, each contributing dollar, would make
grand total OF half-million dollars. Ana IS u
too much to say that tho avernse OF DOLLAR IS
too high? 1ani confident Gun name more thar ,aa
one Of our wealthy and honored citizens who
| would head such books OF subscription with the
gift Of thousands. Let our City Council; In thus Us
| this use tho old City Hull lot (which II gan
legally dol, or some better location. possible. I
and ttlci on tne 3tn uay o1 CcLoue9' 1ooAs .Ge '
| cOrncr-stone be laid with such pomp AMI cir
erInstuncc Us the occusfon would dcserve.-and
in this cornerstone let those books OF suhscrp.
ton be placed, that whcn II ever. the peop!esyee
| unborn sball inquire who built this grand struct-
ure they mar Ie answered by the recorded face
| that Chicagos men, women, md children erected
| 1t rs m acknowledgment OF their Eratlsnde Tor
| tho worlds generosity
| Could any comne1noratiou OF tho event be 50
graceful? Could tho money of our people be put
| 70 such fitting and worthy end? GOULD the Old
City Hall be granted to more noble purpose!
AL consider. lions seem to move to the ac-
that IL these gentlemen will kindly consider and
| adopt it the great heart OF Chicago will warmly
| and enthusiastically applaud the act, and roydl-
| " contribute TO such grand work.
JAMES LANE ALLEN.