Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-10-28
IMMORTAL GLORY.
An Instructive Letter From "sedgwic,


To the Editor Of the Eagle.
The recent opening of the Washing
ton monument to visitors has made the
ascent Of that great shaft one of the
chief points of interest at the capital.
As your readers know this structure Is,
up to the present time, the loftiest crea-
ton of human hands. 1t towers above
the highest of the pyramids and might
look down upon the tallest cathedral
spires such as those at Strasbourg, Ant
| werp, Saint Peters at Rome, Saint Paul's
at London, Saint Sophia's at CONSTANT
nople and others of equal or lesser re-
nown. The great tower in process Of
| erection at Paris, to be completed in
time for the approaching worlds exposi-
ton, will almost double the height of the
monument, but it is being built for a
special purpose, and being composed al
most exclusively of metal its permanent
cy may well be doubted, while the mass
i've masonry of the monument will
doubtless be able to withstand the effects
Of the elements for centuries to come.
The view from the top of the monu-
ment is exceedingly beautiful, varied and
picturesque. 1t extends far down the
noble river, broadening on its way to
the sea, and in an opposite direction
is bounded by Lookout Noun
tain, a point of great interest IN
the military annals OF the rebellion.
The panorama of the city and suburbs,
with their great variety of structures
and streets, avenues, parks, etc., Is
simply beautiful.
There are historical associations con-
nected with the monument and its pro-
gress to completion, which may be
thought worthy of being noted. 1t is
we'll authenticated that Washington
himself approved, if he did not suggest.
the sight of this great structure. On
the original plat of the city made by the
celebrated French engineer, Major
L'Enfant, this precise spot was desig-
mated as the site of a grand historical
monument commemorative OF the sue
| cessful establishment of the republic.
OF course Washington had no thought
that the proposed monument would be
simply a tribute to himself, but, as
stated, designed it to be perpetual me-
mortal of the success of our efforts for
independence. This original plat desig-
mated other points of interest in the city.
which at this time are employed for the
very purposes for which they were orig
inally chosen. Thus the site of the cap
itol was marked as 1.-THE congress house,
the historic structure Familiarity known
as the white house, was called 1.-The pres
idents house." etc.
The vicinity of the monument pre-
sented at that time vastly differ
ent appearance from what it
presents at present. l have
been told by old inhabitants that consid-
erably within the last half century large
ships anchored opposite the monument,
at distance of only a few hundred
yards. An historic mansion in the very
shadow of the present structure IS now
low resort, given over to negro dances
and like entertainments. The locality,
which has since been made repulsive by
the Potomac marshes and their pestilen-
tial vapors was in the earlier times not
only healthful but fashionable. 1t is not
unreasonable to expect, moreover, that
when the improvements now in progress
shall have been completed, the old status
will not only be restored, but it Will be
so largely improved upon that these re-
Gently pestilential marshes will be trans
formed into beautiful parks and lakes.
1t was a long time before the plan of
the great monument on this site was
matured, the delay perhaps affording
another illustration of the ngratitude of
republics. However, the enterprise at
length took shape and society was
formed for the purpose of collecting sub
scriptions and forwarding The work.
During the administration of President
TAYLOR the cornerstone was laid with
impressive ceremonies, and it is believed
to be well authenticated fact that the
cold which the president took on that
occasion was really the foundation of his
subsequent fatal illness. The work pro
ceeded vigorously. for few years,
patient efforts being made to
secure the necessary funds.
Subscription boxes were put up
in the various departments and other
public places, and appeals were made
throughout the country. At length,
however, this source of supply fell off,
and the work came to standStili. 1t is
humiliating, especially to old residents of
Washington, to recall the many years
during which this incomplete and I'M
sghtly structure was made a theme of
derision and jest.
When congress grappled with the
proposition to take hold of the work,
now some ten years since, considerable
opposition was developed, principally on
account of objections TO the site. As
has already been indicated, the great
changes that had come about since the
original location had seemed to render
the locality an undesirable one. Be
sides, the foundation had been found TO
be inadequate, and there was a differ
ence Of opinion among engineers as to
practicability of carrying the structure
much higher with safety. After ample
discussion it was finally determined that
as this site had been chosen with the
approval of the father Of his country
himself, it was the duty Of congress, if
the work was to be completed at all, to
complete it on the site as chosen. APP
preparations were subsequently made
from time to time, and the people Were
at last cheered with the premise Of the
early completion of this great work.
An engineering feat of great interest
was accomplished in connection with
the foundation, being no less than the
removal of the original masonry which
constituted it, and the substitution of
much more extensive foundation COM
posed of concrete Thus, not only was
the foundation made more ample and
complete. but the structure, which had
been DETECTED slightly from true line,
was restored to the perpendicular.
An interesting coincidence, which
should perhaps have been mentioned
earlier, is found in the fact that the same
orator officiated both at the laying OF the
corner stone of the structure and at the