Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1889-08-06
Matthew F. Maury.

To the editor of the N. Y. Evening Post
Sir: In the New York Tribune recently
appeared letter from Mr.. julius A. Palmer,
IT,, of Boston, calling attention to the ecant
recognition as yet accorded by The gov.
ernmeut to The services of Maury, and urg
ing the erection of a national monument at
Washington to his memory. Mr.. Palmer
fitly associates the name OF Maury with that
of Columbus, declaring that "the work of
the latter is jnst as valuable to an endless
posterity as were the discoveries of the
former to the people of the last 400 years" !"
and thinks it most appropriate that the
cornerstone of such monument as he pro.
poses should be laid during the celebration
in 1892 of the discovery Of America. This
prophet, he goes on to show, has not been
without honor save in his own country, and
the reason is briefly cited. Maury espoused
the cause OF his native South IN the late war,
but this is no reason why the great and re.
united country TO which, after oil, be be-.
longs as much ss he ever did should decline
10 clai % him. As we nigh. the English
monarchist of to day refuse to honor the
memory Of Hampden o. of Milton, or the
English churchman 10 respect that of Yves
The letter Of Mr.. Palmer incidentally sug-
eests another wey in which more promptly
aud yet most happily the name of Maury
might be honore6 by the Government.
Among the emiDeut Americans whose
services to mankind have been scknowl.
edged in Europe, perhaps not ore ever re-
ceived as many marks of distinction ss our
great meteorologist. This recognition was
as promp as it was generous, and, thanks 10
sectional passion and prejudice, his reputa-
ton aa man OF science and public bene
factor Is to day wider and better established
In the Old World than 10 this. 10 the
years 1855. 1856. and 1857 Maury was the
recipient of gold medals from the eovereigns
of France. Austria, Prussia. Norway and
Sweden, Belgium, Holland, Sardinia and
Bremen; of medal from the Prince Con-
sort Of EogaDd; of the great humboldt
gold medal from Berlin; of the decoration
Of the Royal Order of the Danneburg from
the King of Denmark; Of that of the
Tower aud Sword from the King of Por-
tugal, and OF st. Ann of Russia from the
Gear; of case cont aiming complete set,
from Pope Plus TX. of all the medals
struck during his Pontifcate; of more
than twenty diplomas of membership in for.
eign scientific societies; and, in addition to
other testimonials decorations and jewels
of less note; the grand cross Of the Legion of
Honor from Napoleon III and the decora-
ton of St. Leopold from the King Of Bel
GUM.
These medals, decorations, and jewels
except the last two, which were returned
after his death-thirty or more In number,
are now In the bands Of the family, and,
though all shown In the exposition in Rich.
mond in 1883, have different owners, and
cannot long be kept together. They should
ss matter of national concern, undoubted-
be 30 kept. Let Congress, therefore, pur.
chase and deposit them 10 the National Mu.
scum at Washington as a testimony to COM
ing generations of the recognition by the
countries of Europe OF the genius of an
American dlscoverer. Such an opportunity
of psrpetuasing the fame of an eminent citi-
zen Is rare enough, in all conscience, to pre-.
vent an appropriation OF this character from
being troublesome precedent, and we
should be proud and happy to avail our.
selves of it. L. M. BLACKFoRD.
Alexandria, Va, July 81, 1889.