The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1885-02-27
At eleven Senator Sherman, Chairman of
the Joint Congressional Commission, called

At eleven Senator Sherman, Chairman of
the Joint Congressional Commission, called
to order the eight hundred people who had
assembled at the center stand. He said:
The commission authorized by the two
houses OF Congress to provide suitable cere-
monies for the ded cation of the Washington
Monument direct me to preside and to an
nounCe the order of ceremonies deemed prop
er on this occasion. ! need not say any
thing to impress upon YOU the dignity of
the event you have met to celebrate. The
monument speaks for itself. Simple in
form, sdmirable in proportions, composed
OF enduring marble and granite, resting
upon foundations broad and Deep it rises
into the * es higher than any other work of
human art. 1t is the most imposing,
costly ana appropriate monument ever
erected in honor Of one man.
1t lad its origin in the profound convict on
OF the rcople, irrespective OF party, creed or
race, not only in this country, but in all civil.
lied Countres that the name and fame of
Wash ngtOn should be perpetuated by most
IMPOSING test monial of the Nat ons graft
tudo to It's hero, Statesman and father"
Senator Sherman then gave historical
statement concerning the monument, and
concluded his address as follows:
at is u fit memorial of the greatest charac-
ter in human history. 1t looks down upon
sceneSmost loved by him on earth, the most
conspicuous object in landscape full
of objects deeply interesting to the
American People, ana all eyes TURN 10 IL,
and all hearts feel insp:rat on in its beauty,
symmetry and grandeur. Strong as it is, it
will not endure so long as the memory of him
in whose honor it was built but, while it
stands it will be evidence to many succeeding
generations of the love and reverence of this
generation for the name and fame of George
Washington.
First in war, first in peace, and first in the
hearts OF his country men more even than
this-the prototype of purity, manhood and
patriotism for all lands and all time. Without
further preface, | proceed to discharge the
duty assigned me.
Prayer was offered by Rev. Mr.. Luter, of
Christ's Church, Alexandria, Va.
Hon. w. w. Corcoran, the First Vice
President Of the National Monument
Society, described at length the part taken
in the initiation of the project and the con-
struction Of the monument by the society.
70 Colonel Thomas L. Casey, United
States Engineers, was assigned the duty of
presenting the part taken by the general
Government in the construction OF the
monument and of delivering it to the Presi-
dent OF the United States. He gave an ac-
count of the first proceedings in Congress,
with view to the<completion of the monu-
ment, and described each successive step in
the construction of the work until the set
ting of the cap-stone finished the under
taking, and then said:
although the dimensions of the founda-
ton base were originally -planned without due
regard to the tremendous forces to be brought
into play in building so large an Obelisk. the
have supplied the means for the completion
OF the grandest monumental column ever
erected in any age OF the world. In its pro-
Egptan oBels J have 'nf been "ne esre
fully followed, and the entire height has been
71 -Ns
breadth of the base, producing an obelisk
that, for grace and delicacy of outline is not
excelled by any of the larger Egyptian mono
liths, while. in d'gnity and grandeur it sur
passes any that can be mentioned. Mr.. Presl-
dent, for and in behalf of the joint commits
sion for the completion of the Washington
Monument,al deliver to you this column"
President Arthur, in accepting the mon
ument, said
'FELLOw C0USTRYMEN: Before the dawn
of centuries whose eventful years will soon
have faded into the past when death had but
lately robbed this Republic of its most beloved
and illustrious citizen, the Congress of
the United, States pledged the faith
bearing his honored name, and then,
as now. the seat of the General
Government, monument should be erected
to commemorate the great event of his
column that stretches heavenward from
the PLAN whereon we stand bears
witness to all who behold it, that
the, covenant. which our fathers
made Their children have fulfilled. In the
completion of this great work of pntriotic
endeayor, there is abundant cause for ma
tional rejoicing, for while this structure shall
endure it shall be to all mankind a steadfast
token Of the atfectionate and reverent regard
in which this people continue to hold the
memory of Washington. Well may he ever
keep the foremost place in the hearts of his
eountrynen. The faith that never faltered,
the wisdom that was broader and deep
er than any learning taught in schools,
was d .smayed bT no defeat The LOYALTY that
kept all selfish purpose subordinate to the
demands of patriotism and honor, the
sagaclty that displayed itself in. camp and
Cabinet alike, and, above all, that harmon