Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-08-30
Two Monuments still Due.
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1t hos been well said that a suitable
monument TO Commodore NJ. f. Maury
should be international. To carry out
this idea it'has been proposed that con-
tributions he made by citizens OF all na-
tionalities for the purpose of erecting a
splendid lighthouse on the KOcOs Shoals,
said lighthouse to be maintained by the
government of Brazil. This place would
not be inappropriate, but if his Ownsug-
gestion has been followed, those threat
ening shoals already have some memo
rial of his humane thOughtfulness. The
Rocos are near a common pathway IN a
good many important ocean routes, and
on them are Grass and sand islands, one
of which is about ten feet above the level
Of thesea Maury urged that these islands
be planted with coconnut palms, which
he was confident would grow there, IN
order that the trees might be a beacon
TO the numerous mariners who would
be benefited by its guidance. One Of
his benefactiOns was tue Introduction OF
Cinchona in Mexico. and ! hope he has
already been instrumental in having this
living monument erected TO his memory
near the dangerous Rocos. But though
this international lighthouse would be
an appropriate tribute to the great ex-
plorer Of oceans winds aud currents 1t
would be insufficient. How many Of his
own proud couutrymen will ever see the
Rocos Monuments to such a man
should be almost everywhere and OF
every description-from international
and national down to municipal and in
diyidual.
Leaving Maury memorials for the
present, let us recur to the hOnOrs due to
" Mary the mother of Washington. "
Her own sex will have to come to the
rescue, and every female in our whole
country who claims the least share of her
blood should come forward to aid in
wiping ont the disgrace of that uniin-
ished monument at Fredericksburg.
The late centennial celebration of the
Inauguration OF Washington rs our first
President developed an unexpectedly
large number of his blood-relations.
The aid Of every one Of them IS hereby
earnestly invoked, and suggestions are
specially invited rs to the best means of
enlisting them and all our other patriotic
women in this sacred cause.
Women achieved mostof what was done
UP to the time when Nh. Silas +. Bar
rows, of New York, sought and obtained
the privilege of defraying the expense
of erecting the monument. Who can
now inform us Of the considerations, on
both sides, which led to this arrange
ment? Women, | think, commenced
the work, which finally and after a very
long delay eliminated in the present
WASHINGTON mOnument-one Of the
finest in all the world. Women. under
the leadership Of Mrs. Barbour, obtained
the statue OF Henry Clay. Indeed,
nearly everything good and patriotic de-
ponds wholly or III great part upon the
women.
President Jackson in lis excellent
speech IN reply to Mr.. George W. Bas-
scti, at the lay ing Of the cornerstone in
fredericksburg in May, 1893, spoke
nothing but truth when he said How
important to the females OF our country
are these "reminiscences of the early life
of Washington and Of the maternal care
of her upon whom its future course de-
pended. Principles less firm and just
and affection less regulated by discretion
might have changed the character OF the
son, and with it the destinies of the
nation. We have reason TO be proud of
the virtue and intelligence of our females.
AS mothers. sisters. wives and daugh
tiers, their duties are performed with ex-
emplary fidelity. They, no doubt, realize
the great Importance OF the maternal
character and the powerful influence it
must exert upon American youth.
The next article will give some of the
scenes at the laying of the cornerstone
in Fredericksburg. 1t has already been
stated that our literary prince. Washing
ton Irving was there. lie probably Sc
lected that time. but was on bis way to
the University Of Virginis-to which,
however, his visit was short. The stu
dents appointed committee to urge
him to remain another day and accept
banquet which they rendered him but
he replied that he was constrained to de-
cline. Irving's presence was very APP
propriate, as he was named for Wash
ington, for whom he had the greatest
veneration and became one of his lead
ing biogaphers. b. b. NJ