The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-08-06
MATTHEW f. MAURY.
ni- European Fame and How To- Pcrpctu-
uff a.


Cor of She Evening Post
In the New York Tribunc recently
appeared a letter from Mr. julius 4.
Palmer. Jr., Of Boston. calling atten-
tiOn 10 the -cant recognition as yet ac-
corded by this government To the ser
vices of Maury. aud urging the erection
of national monument al Washington
90 his memory. Mr.. Palmer fitly
associates the name of Maury with
that of Columbus. declaring that "the
work Of the latter Is Just as valuable
to an endless posterity az were
the discoveries of the former to the
people of the last 400 years. and thinks
10 most appropriate that the corner
stone Of such monument as he pro-
poses should be- laid during the celebra-
ton in 1892 Of the discovery of America.
This prophet, be goes on to show. has
not been without honor save
IN his own country, aud the
reason is briefly cited. Maury
e-I0us'd lhe cause Of bis native South
M the late war. bat this is no reason
SHY the great and reunited country 10
which, after all he belongs as much 10
be ever did should decline 20 claim him.
As well might the English mOnarchist
of to-day refuse 90 honor the memory
of Hampien or OF Milton or the Eng
lish churchman O. re'pecl that of Wes
ley or Whitfield.
The letter OF Mr. Palmer incidentally
suggests another way i'm which more
promptly and yet most happily the
name of Maury might be hou0red by
The government.
AmOny ihe eminent Am ricans whose
servic % mankind haye been ackuow-
ledgoi 30 Europe, perhaps not one ever
received as many marks of distinction
as our great m,teor0l0gist. This rccOg-
nlti)u wa5 as prompt as 10 was gene
ilus. and thanks 90 sectional passion
and prejudice hi, reputation as a man
ot science and public benefactOl
Ia today s. idcr and better established
lu the ola World than IN this. Ia
the years 1850. 1856 and 1857 Maury
was the recipient ~ gold medals from
ths s)vereigns of France, Austria. Prus-
sia. Norway and sweden. Belgium.
Holland. Sardinia. and Bremen: OF a
30 dal from the Pince- -COnsOrt OF Eng
land. of the great HUMBOLDT gold medal
from Beiln. 0t the decoration OF the
Royal Order If the DiLueburg from
the King of Denmark Of that of the
Tower and Sword from the King
of Portugal. and of 81. Ann Of
Russia from the CIR Of case con.
tanning complete .et, from Pore Pms
TX . oiail the medals struck during his
PJntiic4te 0t mole than twent,
diIlcma. ~ m. mbtlshp M foreign
scientific societies. and. in addition TO
other te-tIMO. AIS. decorations and
jewels Of less note The grand cross Of
the Legion OF Honor from Napoleon
Ill. and the decoration of ST. Leopold
from The KiDg Of Belgium.
These medals. decorations. and
jeWels-excepl the last two. which
were returned after bis death-thirty
or more IN number are now in the
hands o. bis family. and. though all
shown In the exposition iu Richmond
In l5os, have different owners. and can
not long be kept together. They
should, as matter OF national con
cern. undoubtedly be so kept. Let
Congress, therefore, purchase and
deposit them in the National
Museum at Washington as tes-
timony to coming generations Of the
recognition by the countries OF Europe
Of the genius Of an American discover
or. Such an opportunity Of perpetu-
ating the fame Of an eminent citizen is
rare enough. in all conscience, 10 pre-
vent an appropriation Of this character
from being troublesome precedent;
and we should be proud and happy TO
avail ourselves of il.
J.. VI. BLAcKF)Lp.
Alerdadrid, Va, July 81. 1889.