New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-09-06
1 nER1NIrE PLAN REQUISITE.

4 DEFINITE PLAN REQCSlIE.
The World adequately explains public
apathy respecting the Grant memorial The
people require, it asserts, a definite design
Once convince them it adds, that the money
contributed will guarantee fitting expression
of patriotic feeling and of the architectural ana
artistic genius of the country, and there VIII be
little difficulty in raising the required sum.
This is a timely and judcious remark. Of
course other causes have contributed to hamper
the efforts of the committees. Among these are
the prevailing business depression, the pressing
appeals to public generosity recently made III
behalf of the Bartholdi pedestal and other
objects, and the absence from the city of many
who may naturally be expected to be liberal
subscribers to the fund. But the chief cause Is
undoubtedly the lack of deGniteness in the
undertaking. prominent merchant, Mr.
William ID. Sloane, writing to the committees
complains that it is impossible TO solicit sue
cessfully for subscriptions and to interest
people in the memorial, when all that is known
in regard to the project is that an effort Is
making to raise $1,000,0OO. The public
requires a definite PLAN 1t wants TO know
what is to be done with the money,
what is to be the precise character of the
memorial, and whether it viii worthily repre-
sent the patriotism and enlightened artistic
taste of the American people.
The committees have been unustly censured
for clumsy and thoughtlcSs management OF
this enterprise, and for arbitrarily estimating
the cost of the memorial in figures which
tended to discourage the public. We do not
feel disposed to join in these criticisms. The
committees have labOrcd under striking disad-
vantages but have developed considerable
talent for organization and have done excellent
work in surveying the ground and laying the
foundations for a national monument. Ii was
not an error of judgment to name Sl,O00,00O
rs the amount to be raised. A lower estimate
would have tended to cheaper the enterprise
and to bling reproach upon the city. The
committees were right in assuming that the
American people would not be satisfied with
ANYTHING short of magnificent memorial TO
| General Grant No serious mistakes have been
made and nothing has been done to retard the
ultimate success Of the movement or to belitte
| its significance. The committees, however,
have now reached point where they must look
| the facts in the face and comply with the
reasonable demands Of the public. There will
| be no real difficulty in raising $l,000,00O
or more for this national monument. There
| is no lack of patriotism; there is no ser-
Gus and worthy opposition to the project in
any quarter; and there is money enough
| and to spare, even in these hard times. But
| the committees cannot hope to interest the
| public in an approximate financial estimate
| without form and void. The figures must
stand for something definite, something that
will appeal to mems judgments and touch their
| imaginatioDs.
Among the most valuable suggestions is one
made in conversation by Ex-Governor Cornell,
! chairman of the Executive Committee. Al
though he has not reduced it to definite terms
and readily admits that it requires careful
elaboration, we assume the responsibility of
outlining it in the hope that it will evoke public
discussion and encourage the committees to
take decided action IN favor of some iudicious
plan that can be brought before the public in
an ineligible form.
This suggestion is to build a National
museum i'm Riverside Park. There may be
a monument over the grave of suita-
BILE design and statue of General Grant
of heroic proportions; but in connection
with these memorials, grand and simple
in design, artistic in execution and
| patriotic IN feeling, there may be a magnificent
building illustrating the military history of the
country This building will naturally contain
| everything that has been written or published
relating to the American Revolution, the
campaign of 1912, the Mexican War,
! and especially the civil conflict,
in which General Grants reputation
as one of the great soldiers of history was
made In view of the fact that his last work
| ing days were occupied with conscientious
study of his campaigns and with exhausting
effort to record his "reminiscences of the war
such a library would be characteristic me-
mortal. The alcoves containing these writings,
maps and archives relating to American war
| fare may appropriately open the way
| for magnificent collection OF military objects,
| embracing arms, munitions, ordnance, uni
forms, accoutrements, trophies, medals, relics
| and battle-flags. Everything illustrating the
| art of war and the military his
tory of the Nation may find n
place in such museum and may contribute TO
the glory OF the greatest American soldier.
We have no hesitation in pronouncing this