The Irish standard., 1899-12-30
BR0WNsoN MEMORIAL.
Monument 10 be Erected In Central
Park. New York.

About thirteen years ago movement
was inauguratcd in Providence. r. L.,
to erect monument in honor Of the
illustrious Catholic publicist and philos-
opher, Orestes A. Brownson. The pur-
pose announced was to make the move
ment a national affair, and the intention
was to place the memorial in Central
Park, New York city. The chairman
OF the committee having the matter in
charge was Mr.. M. ]. Harson, OF Prov
idence, r. l.. and the committee was
made up of representative Catholic lay
men from all sections OF the United
States. We quote some extracts from
the address issued when the project was
first announccd:
MANY Of the ilustrious sons OF our
noble republic who have won the high
est distinction as jurists, statesmen, SOL
diers and authors, as we'll as in other
vacations, have been proud to be
known as members Of Holy Church
prominent among these is the name Of
the profound scholar, publicist and phil
osophcr, Orcstes Augustus Brownson,
LII. D.
From the time when he became a
Catholic in 1874 to his death. he dcvot-
ed his great learning and ability to the
defense OF the Church, in explanation
OF her doctrines and in rcfutation OF
modern errors, and was most promi-
nent figure in the Catholic and Protest
ant world. The value and importance
OF his labors cannot be too highly cs-
tinatcd. Hc stood up in defense OF the
Church at time when her champions
were few and impotcnt. and when re-
ligious bigotry was at its height. His
writings will live as long as truth needs
to be defended, as long as there are
sfams TO be exposed and errors to be
refutcd. Hc has been pronounced the
first review writer OF our country, and
was regarded as among the first men
OF the age. His style, based on the best
literary models, gives charm to all
he wrote, and in his mastery handling
OF the English language he stands I'M
surpassed.
Gle put aside the most tempting Of
fcrs Of public prcfcrment and private
gain for the sake of embracing the
truth, and after lifc's labors in the
cause OF Catholicity, died poor. The
memory OF such man should not be
permitted to die. His great faith and
unflinclling courage, fcrvcnt picty and
entire unsc1fsfncss, profound learning
and tirclcss industry, go to make up
one OF the highest ideals OF manhood
for Our youth to contemplate, study and
initiate
"Whilc many monuments to the men,
DRY of illustrious citizens have been
erected in various parts of the country
through the generous assistance OF
Catholics, none of these pcrpctuatc the
memory Of one distinguished for stcr-
ling Catfolicity as well as other virtues
deserving honor.
catholics should no longer bear the
rcproach that they willingly honor all
but their own, and are Indifferent only
to them. We believe that if appealed
TO will, proper spirit they will respond
with that libcrality they are distin-
guishcd Tor in all other undertakings
calling for financial aid. The virtues
of DR.. Brownson should be held up be-
fore Our young men as most worthy
example for imitation, and the merits
of his labors cntitlc him to be held in
the highest esteem by all Catholics.
The debt we owe his memory for the
services he rendered to us can never be
fully measured or repaid. By honoring
his memory we honor ourselves, and
the erection OF fitting memorial will
result in the organization OF Catholic
public spirit which will exert the great
est effect for good on ourselves"
Funds have been slowly accommodating
during these years, and at meeting
held at the Catholic Club, New York,
October IL, 1893, Mr.. Harson was au-
thorized to make contract with some
sculptor of acknowledged ability to ex-