Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-08-03
A SCHEME FOR A NATIONAL MONU
MENT TO GRANT.

We do not know who Mr.. Luclus Briggs
is, but he has proposed scheme worthy
of attention. He halls from Glasgo, Conn.,,
and has addressed letter to Governor
Bulkeley of that State, in which his plan
is set forth.
Mr.. Briggs says that he is a bust
ness man of the town in which he lives
that he has no ak to grind that his propo-
sition is born of sincerity and spirit of
ardent patriotism. He calls the attention
of the Governor to the fact that as yet the
national monument to General Grants
memory, which short time ago every one
demanded should be erected, is not taking
shape, and that the prospect is that pos
sibly none will be erected unless a new
and broadly popular movement is put on
foot to collect the necessary money.
His proposition is, first, that a monu-
ment shall be erected in the city of Wash
ington-and in that Mr.. Briggs reflects
the common judgment of the American
people. He would have the Governors of
all the States that did not secede (but why
not all States p advise organization of citi-
zens in every school district in such States
and in the Territories, to which on the
first Wednesday in next October, every
man, woman and child shall be invited
to contribute the sum of five cents, no more
and no less. If there are at that time
any so poor that they cannot contribute
FIVE cents, then permission may be given
for some one with means to make up the
amount, the idea being that there should
be representation in the fund Of all the
people to the extent of five cents per cap
ita. Estimating the population that should
thus contribute at not less than As, 100000,
the collection would yield 81, 100000. Mr..
Briggs says in defense of the scheme:
1t is manifesty improper and repugnsnt to
the feelings of the common people that few
rich men should build a monument to General
Grant but the spectacle of all the people unit
ing and contributing to the work would be d
most gratifying one, aud unique in all countries
and in all times. 1t pleces-As is proper in such
work-the banker. the merchant and the cap
italist on a level with the poor and the lowly,
and the President and his Cabinet, and mem.
beis of Congress with the toilers all over the
land.
work so extensive as tins and of such a
character, and for such an object appealing as
il does to every individual, should properly be
inaugurated by the Governors of the several
States; and ! suggest that simultaneously, on
some day to be named by the Governor of the
| State of New York, a proclamation, or some
| proper form of calling the attention of the peo
| pie of the States to the matter, and naming the
day or days for its execution, would, beyond
| question, insure its success. 1t would remove
| forever a stigma, now becoming hard to bt
! borne, from the richest, most generous an6
most patriotic people on the face of the earth.
He would have the officials of eacl
school district report to such State official.
as each Governor may name, and have
each Of the latter report to the Governor
and he to the Treasurer of the United
States. Then the President should name
Board of competent men to pass upor
designs and carry out the work, the Presi
dent retaining revisory power over theil
acts.
We confess that the idea is one that
presents itself with force. The PROPOSE
ton to make the erection of such monu
ment the work of the people through uni
form contributions is not an original one
but the method that Mr. Briggs suggests
is original and apparently feasible. There
would seem to be very little machinery
about the plan, no danger Of eomplica
tons, and no chance for the qualification
of personal ambitions or the vain display
of wealth.
If the Governors of the States approve
of the plan, give it their Endorsement
and issue the necessary requests to the
school, district officials, we have no doubt
whatever about the scheme receiving such
attention from the press of the land tba
the people will be fully informed concern
ing it and awakened to the true spirit ant
patriotic thought OF the idea
Ii we suppose that only two-thirds o
the people respond to the appeal, tina
one-third, through Indifference or misap
prehension or distrust, fail to contribute tn
necessary desired nickel each, the sum re
allied would still be the handsome one O
81, 100000. If 100000 of that amour
we're expended for site, plans and founda
ton, a million of dollars would remain
for the erection Of the monument w
like the idea of monument to Grant tina
will be the result of the free gifts of tn
people of the nation that gave the man t
the world. The scheme suggested would
seem to be one that could not become in
volved in political intrigue or contribute
to personal ambition. 1t is simple, direc
and patriotic in inception, and if at al
successful will be monument not onl,
to the memory of a nations hero, but tC
the patriotic spirit of the American
people.