Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1898-08-06
GEORGE WASHINGTON MEMORIAL
ASSOCIATION.

It is nearly a hundred years since
the death of Washington. A marble
shaft. taller than any other similar
structure in the world, stands in the
District OF Columbia to commemorate
his achievements. A greater tribute
to his goodness and wisdom is now
proposed by the fulfllment Of his wish
that there might be established at
Washington National University for
the higher education Of the youth OF
the country, not only in the arts and
sciences, but in the principles of poll
tics and good government. The rea-
sons which appealed to him for the
creation of such an institution are
given in his will and he left bequest
to aid in its foundation. During his
life time at his instance a site for the
University was selected on the Poto-
mac at Washington upon knoll cor
responding to the one upon which his
monument now stands. No success
full or sustained effort has been made
to carry out this grand purpose OF
Washington, and the personal contri-
hutton which he intended to make has
passed 10 other uses. He has left,
however, heritage most valuable. IN
the conception of this great work, and
il has remained for the ladies Of the
country to come forward in an endeav-
or to carry it on. A number of them,
prominent in the social circles OF the
larger cities, have organized the George
Washington Memorial Association,
with chapters in all the States OF the
Union, and are making combined
and systematic effort to bring into be-
ing the institution which Washington
foretold. They aim first to secure
sufficient funds to erect in Washing
ton an administration building, which
will bring the project directly to the
attention of the national legislators
and other visitors to the national cap
ital. The Memorial Association has
lust held a convention of delegates
from all over the United States. The
meeting was enthusiastic and encour-
aging reports were presented. Several
thousand dollars have already been
subscribed, and interest in the move
mentis being widely manifested. The
Association in raising funds depends
largely upon the increase of its num-
bers, the membership fee being IS 90.
All persons Joining prior to Novem-
Der Ist, 1903, will have the honor OF
being enrolled as charter members
and will receive finely engraved GER
tificate of subscription sufficiently at
tractive to compel its preservation.
In years to come it will be valued as
showing the interest and participation
of the contributor in this great under-
taking. Organizations, as we'll as IN
dividuals, are eligible for membership.
and this applies most appropriately to
the small social, benevolent and relig-
ious societies. The certificate ofmem-
bership would make suitable and
commendable souvenir for the walls
of their com mittee rooms. By inner
itance West Virginia shares the pride
of Virginia in all that touches the
greatness OF Washington, and her sis
ter States will look to her for proper
expression OF her interest in the un
dertaking. The hundredth anniver-
sary of the death of Washington occurs
on the I4th of December, 1899, and
the association intends that upon this
most fitting occasion there shall be
laid the corner stone of the great Uni
versity, the foundation of which he
sought TO provide. The chairman of
the West Virginia State Committee is
Miss Grace T. Davis, daughter of ex-
Senator Davis, whose home is at FL
kins, w. Va, and who will be glad to
receive and acknowledge contributions
in any amount for the fund, as we'll
as applications for membership and to
furnish any information that may be
desired on the subject.
Kind Words.