The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1899-02-11
NEEDS A NEW TOME.
Abraham LincOln's Burial Place is Fast
Going to Decay.

UOluS W Do<dy
Lincoln's fame is more enduring in the
hearts of his countrymen than the granite pile
reared to his memory at Springfield ILL.,, which
was intended as a permanent memorial to the
martyred emancipation. While the deeds and
glories of Abraham Lincoln are still fresh in
the minds of all peoples, the massive mcnu-
ment and. crypt is crumbling to decay.
Not only is the memorial itself in bad shape,
but the vault which contains the remains OF
Lincoln, his wife, and three sons is in danger
of collapse, and the relic chamber, in the base
of the monument, is also falling to pieces.
Only thirty years have elapsed since the
structure was reared, but its outer walls are
disintegratirg. The seams in its masonry are
gaping. The frosts and SHOWS and rains have
eaten into the joints of its granite veneer
Unless steps are taken soon toward resetting
the facing, the entire monument will be soon
in ruins. In some places, especially the south
east and northeast corners, the gaps between
the granite slabs are two inches wide. The
base appears to have suffered most. Many
granite blocks are dangerously out of plumb,
and the brick work of the base is also demcr-
allied.
The question of repairing the Lincoln monu-
ment has been a matter Of controversy among
state legislators for long time. An appro-
priation of 900 was made for that purpose
during the administration of Governor Alt
SelQ, OUT tQe SUN Was ueemeu III SuluclouL anu
has never been used 1t is claimed that any
thing less than tearing down the whole gran
tie facing and resetting it would be a waste of
money. This job would cost 100000. The
monument, as it stands. was erected at an
expense of $270 900. Proposals for appropri-
ating money to repair the monument are al
ways met by counter-propcsitions to tear
down the present structure and rebuild it en-
somewhat different lines. No memorial was
ever erected but that many people thought ii
should have been designed differently. This
has been the case with the massive Lincoln
memorial at Springfield, and it is over this
feature that lively debate is expected.
Erection of the Monument.
The movement for the erection of ma
tional Lincoln monument was begun immedi-
ately after the assassination of President Lin
coin, but it was not until Oct. 49, 1874 that
the Springfield memorial was dedicated, that
city being chosen because it was Lincoln's
home when he was elected to the Presidency.
The monument stands in the middle OF six
acres of high ground in Oak Ridge cemetery.
It is of massive proportions, of bronze and
granite and was designed by Larkin G. Mead,
Jr., an American artist. Thirty-one artists
of national repute competed for the design,
| among them being Leonard Volk, Harriet
Hosmer and Winnie Ream. Some of the de-
signs submitted would have cost $1,000, 900,
but all were adjudged as being of artistic
merit, and it was only after considerable diff
fculty in making choice that the design
! submitted by Larkin G. Mead of Erattleboro,
w.t. was accepted. Whatever may be said in
| criticism it cannot be denied that the Lin
| coin monument is an imposing structure. 1t
| consists of central granite shaft or obelisk,
| rising from massive square base to height
| of ninety eight feet. Allegorical figures in
| bronze crown the four corners Of the pedestal.
| A bronze statue of Lincoln standing in relief
! against the shining granite forms the central
| figure of the groups of statuary. The monu-
ment is located on probably the highest
ground in Springfield, overlooking the CAPT.
| tai and wide stretches Of Illinois prairie. The
| statue Of Lincoln has been commended as
| one Of the most natural and lifelike repre-
sensations Of the martyred President. He Is
| represented in the attitude Of making public
| address, grasping the emancipation procla-
| nation In one hand. He stoops little, he 10
angular, his cheeks are thin, his forehead
deeply wrinkled. Old Illinogans who had
known Lincoln from his boyhood pronounced
| it an excellent likeness. The front OF the
| pedestal on which the statue rests bears the
coat Of arms of the United States in bronze.
The American eagle on the shield is repre-
scented as having broken the chain of slavery,
some Of the links being grasped in his talons.
and the rest held aloft In his beak. An olive
| branch, spurned, is thrust aside at his feet.
Relics IN Memorial Hall.
Memorial hall, in the base Of the monument.
Is filled with various Lincoln relics and
souvenirs. One Of the most interesting OF
these is stone from the wall of Servius
Tullius, presented to President Lincoln by
citizens Of Rome in 1865 It. large, irregu-
lar slab of sandstone, on which is carved the
following inscription In Latin:
ITO, Abraham Lincoln, President for the
second time of the American republic, cltl-
zens Of Rome present this stone from the
walls of Servius Tullius, by which the mem
DRY Of each Of those brave asserters OF lib