Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-02-21

The dedication to-day of the Hottest structure
IN the world to the memory Of the man who
occupies the highest pedestal in the American
Pantheon makes a big punctuation mark in
history The event will be memorable, not
only on account of the evidence it gives that
the steady patriotism which inspired the found
ers of the republic still lives but also because
IL signaliZes the completion of an edifice which
will hereafter be included with the Pyramids
with st. Peters, and with the leaning tower of
Pisa among the architectural wonders of the
world. There is report of only one structure
ever erected by human hands that could stand
by the Washington monument without appear
Ing belitued, and that was the Tower of Babel
To-day ceremonies marked the completion of
patriotic project conceived over a century
ago.
THE. FIRST RESOLUTION.
On the 9Th of August, 1883. the Continental
Congress resolved unanimously ''that an eques-
TRAN statue of Washington be erected at the
place where the residence of Congress shall be
established" This was the first public step
taken towards erecting suitable memorial to
washington, and from 10 the movement result
Ing, 1O2 years later. in the dedication of the
Washington National Monument is dated.
congress never took any steps 10 carry the rcsO-
luton of 1888 into effect until 1888, when
SbO,OOO was appropriated for the erection of an
equestrian statue. which was completed by the
iate clark Mills and placed in the circle NJ the
intersection OF Pennsylvania and New Hamp-
shire avenues
After the death of Washington Joint COM
mittee of both houses ofCOngrcss was appointed
TO consider a manner Of paying honor 10 his
memory. ON December oath. 1899 Congress
resolved THAT marble monument be erected
by the United States at the city of Washington
and that the family of Gen. Washington Ice re-
quested 10 permit his body 10 be deposited
under 1t. and that the monument be so designed
tary and political life
On the request of Congress being formally
communicated To the widow of Washington
she consented that the remains should be re
moved rom their resting-place at Mount Yer
non IN the following touching words Taught
by the great example which have so long had
before me never TO oppose my private wishes to
the public Will. i need not l cannot say what "A
sacrifice of individual feeling make to Il sense
OF public duty ON the Sth OF MAY 1900. the
House OF Representatives passed a resolution
1ngton in the city of Washington, and on jan
uary l, 1901, the same body passed bill APP
fhiFII'stnS c-oo'gvyy IoI the CONSTRUCTION OF
TINS lnausoleum- 1t does not appear that any
action was taken on either the resolution or the
olII by the senate, which made them, there
lore, imperative.
MR.. BUCHANAN REVIvES THE PROJECT.
The project then slumbered for a quarter of a
century, until, on the 10Th of January 1924
Mi Buchanan. afterwards President. offered in
the House of Representatives of which he was
at that time a member, Il resolution providing
ior tLe appointment OF committee to inquire
In what manner the resolutions OF December
"a, 1899, could best be accomplished. In his
speech advocating the adoption of the reSOu-
ton Mr.. Buchanan said: I'VE made solemn
promise 10 the widowed partner of Washington
and TO the people of the United States by a
legislative act, that we would erect monument
10 his memory. That distinguished lady has
long slumbered with him in the grave and
THIS pledge has never vet been redeemed
Although his mortal remains have at our
request and by her consent become the property
OF the public, yet they, still lie neglected.
attempt has been made To steal them away
from this country. which had almost proved
successful Nh Cary, OF Georgia. opposed the
ia ion of 1fF,Vr-
ments was barbaric custom. After consider
able discussion Mr.: Buchanans resolution was,
on motion of Mr. GaZlay- member from Ohio,
laid on the table by "a vote of 81 to61.
MIR. CLAY'S EFFORT.
February 13, 1882, joint committee of the
two houses of Congress appointed To make ar
rangements for celebrating the centennial ami
versary of Washington's birthday, of which
Henry Clay was chairman on the part of the
Senate, MAIDS report, concluding with rec
ommendation that Congress adopt the nacns-
sary measures TO carry into effect the resolution
or December 9th, 1879. foT the removal of the
BODY OF George Washington and its interment
IN the capitol at the city OF Washington, and
That the ceremony be performed on the evening
OF the I'D instant Mr.. Clay then submitted a
resolution authorizing the President of the Sem
ate ana the Speaker of the House TO make ap-
plication to John \. Washington of Mt Vernon
for the body OF George Washington To he re-
moved and deposited in the Capitol at Wash
ington city on February 22d S}2 and the two
houses OF congress attend and assist in the per
r.. =
his opinion, the unredeemed pledge OF Congress
TO dispose of the remains of washington i'm n
public manner should be fulfilled. He would
state that those entrusted with the erection of
the Capitol had already prepared a vault under
the center OF the rotunda for this express pur-
pose, not by authority, he believed brt unon
their own suggestion and sense of proprietv
Mr.. Clay, in the course OF his remarks made no
auuslon TO the monument which Congress had
SO soiemnly resolved TO Ouild many years
previous, and IL was generally understood AT I he
time that the vault in the rOtunda had been
prepaTed because OF the belief that the project
70 pulId monument could not be reSuscitated.
MI Forsyth opposed the resolution, as he
Claimed, IL was contrary to the injunctions OF
Washington's will. Daniel Webster advocated
the resolution. Mr.. TaZewen of Virginia on
posed the resolution on the ground that If such
precedent We're established the Capitol would
soon be converted into a cemetery. tOnce COM
mence this ROmish rite,' he said, land YOU
Will canonZe as many patriots there are
saints In the Romish calendar and associate
asnlngton with any patriot whom party may
DHndIy elevate John Tyler, the other Sena-
tor rom Virginia, concurred with Mr.. Taze-
WelIs sentiments. Mr.. Clay, in replv ex-
pressed the opinion that no man would ever be
deemed worthy by the people 10 be placed BY
the side OF Washington: but, said he should il
please the Almighty to beStow upon the conn
Try the blessing of another Washington ne
could not, for one. wish that the same h6nor
now proposed should be withheld from him
The resolution OF Mr.. Clay was then adopted bv
vote OF 20 TO 10, the two Virginia senators
MI hayne, OF South Carolina: Mr. Marcy of New
70 ioTR; Mr. smith, OF Maryland. and Mr.. Dallas
OF Pennsylvani being among the neoativeS'
beioIe the resolution passed the House OF Rem
resentatves 1t was modified, SO as To ask the
consent OF JnO A. Washington and of Geo w
farke GUSTS, the grandson of Martha Wash
lngtOn, Tor the removal OF her remains IN No
deposited In the Capitol with those bf her CON
sort Mr.. Gusts gave his consent but Mr.
washington felt constrained to decline ON ac-
count OF the construction which he placed mo-,
Gen Washington's will. This decision OF Mr.
"asnlngto was regarded as final and il was
accepted Dy Congress and by the peOplp of the
United states that the bones On Washingtnn
were 10 rest undisturbed for all time at mis- an
cestral home. ~ i
THE WASHINGTON NATIONAL MONUMENT So
GETTY.
Congress having taken no steps to give effect
70 Its own purpose as expressed in the resolution
OF l199,patriotic citizens of Washington In 1873
formed the Washington National Monument
society Tor the purpose OF erecting "a great ma
tlonal monument To the memory of Washing
Ton AT the seat of the federal government" The
association determined TO appeal to the people
OF the whole country to redeem the plighted
iAlIn OF lnelr representatives. and under1o1k IN
erect the proposed monument by means of pri-
vate contributions. In 1S47 the society had
coiiected a sufhcient fund To warrant a com
menceneht OF the work. In the meantime add
YertlsementS had been published inviting de-
signs for the monument from American artists
out placing no limitations upon the designs II
was recommended, however, that they shouId
"harInOniously blend durability sim plicitv and
grandeur The cost was estimated at not less
IMAM Yl,oOo,oOo a great many designs were
submitted, but the one selected was thai of
Robert Mills, the architect OF the Interior de-
partment ~ ~
On January 81, 1S4S, Congress passed n reso-
luton authorizing the Washington Monument
ssoclety 10 erect "a monument TO the memory OF