New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1885-03-04
WASHINGTON LETTER.

WASHINGTON LETTER.
Wednesday. Feb. ~, 1885.
The completed monument, the high
est and most imposing shaft in the
world, was dedicated on Saturday last.
to the name and memory Of George
Washington. To build this monument
was the intention of our great grand
fathers, and of our fathers. Its corner
stone was laid more than thirty-six
years ago. Successive generations of
Congress pledged the government to it,
and when the pledges were seen to be
Of no avail, the work was taken up in
burst of popular enthusiasm, aud on
correspondingly ambitious scale. Every
one knows how much the movement
faltered and came to a standstill; how
the persistence of few men got the
momentary attention of Congress. and
extracted rather grudging dole of
money for it. The curious thing about
1t was the apathy with which the people
looked upon the work. No one outside
of Washington showed any interest in
it, although it was in memory of the
man whom their fathers delighted to
honor, whom it was their tradition still
to honor, and whose status adorned
their legislative halls Its completion
was then regarded as among the uncer-
tainties of the future. At the beginning
of the war it had reached a height of,
$50 feet, but there it stopped for years,
while the people were blazing with ar
dor to cover the land with monuments
and set up statues to all their perisha-
BILE celebrities. The Washington Mon
ument has had many vicissitudes since
the beginning of its skyward career. Its
whole history is not written on its chas-
tened face. 1t was made the subject
of very exciting quarrel among engi-
neers over its construction, and of a
warm competition among artists of
note over it's design. Some five or six
years ago Congress again took hold of
the matter, made necessary appropria-
tons, and the work went slowly but
steadily on. Today the memorial stands
completed, on scale to which all other
similarstructures of the world are toys.
It is IS feet square at the base, 555 feet
high, and its walls are fifteen feet thick.
1t has cost so far 1887, 710,31. In its
dedication distinguished men from the
North, South, East and West participat-
ed. The ceremonies were appropriate
and imposing, the procession has seldom
been excelled even in Washington, and
the only conflicting element was the
intensely cold atmosphere, which made
comfort impossible for either paraders
or spectators. The military wore their
overcoats, citizens turned their coat
collars up around their necks, and ear
muffs were in demand. Ladies in fur
wraps shivered, stamped their feet, and
danced in their efforts to resist the cold,
but all chung to their vantage ground
until the last of the procession passed.
The ceremonies at the base of the Mon
ument were brief. There was prayer,
masonic rites, speech by w. w. Cor
coran of the monument society, one by
Col. Casey the engineer of the work,
delivering it over to the President, and
speech by the President dedicating it
to the name of George Washington.
The sharp wind made it impossible for
the speakers to be heard except by
those Immediately around them on the
stand. The smoke issuing from their
lips was the only indication of language
to their more distant audience, though
decided effort was made to hear Pre-
sident Arthur's remarks. Massed a.
round the Monument were five thou
sand or more men, comprising the CT
vic and military organizations, who
had been exposed to the nipping air for
several hours. They were eager to
march, and at the signal from Senator
Sherman, master of ceremonies, quick
~ wheeled into line. Pennsylvania
avenue presented a brilliant scene du-
ring the progress of the pageant. The
people lined the side walks, filed the
windows, waved their handkerclliefs
and cheered. Many buildings were
decorated with flags and long lines Of
colored bunting. The General Of the
Army rode at the head of the process
sion on black horse. He was wrapped
in black cloak, and was followed by
four aids. General Ayers brought up
the first division of the parade, General
Fitzhugh Lee mounted on q fine bay
stallion tho second, and General Dudley
the third. President Arthur rode in 8
coach and four in the midst of the line
of carriages containing Senators and
Representatives and other distinguished
participants. At the Capitol the pro
cession was reviewed by the President
from the East front, and it then dispers
ed. The ceremonies in the Hall o.
Representatives consisted of a prayer
music, two long orations by Hon. Rober
Winthrop, of Massachusetts, and Hon
John w. Daniel Of Virginia, and lastl,