Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1900-04-24

nm coinage, weights and measures o
the House of Representa- yes, helC
April 10, 1900. to which the Wsshing
ron Monument Association, OF Alexan
dris. was invited to present its plans
for the erection of a monument to Gen
ersl Washington in this city. Mr.. Geo
R. Hill was requested to speak for the
association.
Mr.. Hill said:
"Mr. Chairman and gentlemen of the
committee-we are here in the interest
of this bill without any oratorical dis.
play whatever; but simply with a plain
statement OF facts.
Mr.. Cnsirmsn, this bill Is very ex.
pllcit and mas but one object--tiie ereo-
lion of a monument to the memory oil
General Washington. / might say 10
the beginning, as probably OF import.
ance to the members Of this com nittee,
mat toe Washington Monument Asso-
cialion having THIS matter In hand Is an
oresniz ton OF the business men OF Al
exandrls. There is no political side to
j., there is DO financial side, other than
what is absolutely necessary foi the
construction of monument. 10 plain
or words, there is no scheme or job ia Il
VIVA ever.
"If it shall be the pleasure of the COM
mit.ee TO report this bill favorably, they
can do it with the assurance that their
confidence will not be betrayed in any
way. The administration of the affairs
OF the association will be strictly upon
a business footing The economies
which ordinarily apply to individual
business enterprises will be applied to
the work of this association and the d.
nsnces OF the association will be hus-
banded with the same spirit OF ecoGo-
nv and care that We as business men
husband our Own resources. am sure
it is safe to make this statement for my
fellow members of the association.
The site of the proposed monument
has not been definitely fixed, although
it is in the thought of the movers to
place it in juxtspositiou to the time
honored Protestant Episcopal church
known as Christ Church, 10 Alexandria,
which occupies most central point in
our city and has 10 front of it q suitable
space, 10 the avenue there, which, by
the way. bears the name of Washing
ton. 1t Is likely that the monument
will be placed at that point, thus adding
not only to its beauty and it's enjoy
ment by the people of Alexandria and
the nation at large. but bringing it into
historical connection with perhaps the
most honored historic point 10 our city.
Washington was a vestryman in Christ
Church, as perhaps most of you know,
and took great interest in it's affairs.
We nave 10 our committee one of the
present vestry, Mr.. Gardner Boothe.
Ii Las been said loot in connection wi b
this enterprise, but in connection with
anothe that all the honor which could
he conferred upon the memory OF Gen.
Washington, by monument or memoir
al, had already been done by the
American people. can hardly think,
sir, that this sentiment fluids Judgement
10 the heart of the American people.
As an association we decidedly say nay,
rat Us the generations pass we trust
that there will he an increasing rever-
eOce and an increasing public expires
sion thereof for this noble character;
and as the centuri come and go, that
monuments will increase in number;
that memorial will be added to me
IN rial until the last decade Of time.
aud that the noble example, the pa
trlotic life and peerless character, which
is our common heritage, will shine
brighter and brighter until the last day
of time
I'VE are here to do what we can in
a humble way to accomplish this.
We are here for no other purpose.
"You, gentlemen of the committee,
probably know that Virginia prides
herself on her ancestry, and justly so.
We have given to the nation some no
BILE characters, and we add with pride
this morning that we are still giving to
the nation some noble characters In pub
lie life, and are sending to the halls OF
high and responsible duties of public
life in our own State, men OF mental
Drawn aud of capacity for affairs whose
worth to the State needs no com menda-
ton at my hands, but ia Washington
we have a common heritage OF the no.
blest aristocracy, might / not say, the
only American aristocraey; that OF
brains, OF goodness of heart and OF ca.
pacity for service. If, sir, you can find
a higher aristocracy than this, would
like to see it. We are its common In
heritors. Ifthere is nobler cause among
mer than the perpetuati On OF the mem
DRY OF man endowed above all others
in these essential points OF manhood, L
would like to know it. We want, sir,
10 our humble way, and we ask you,
gentlemen, to contribute with US. to the
preparation OF the memory Of the high
est attributes of manhood, as We have
them in our Washington.
1--WE are an energetic, active people.
We are in the onrush OF great modern
electric period. 10 which we are liable
to forget. May we not with benefit
erect (as nearly imperisbable as posi-
ble) such monuments and memorials as
this, at once silent, yet forceful re-
minders of our glorious past, and sue-
gestiye OF the wisdom OF seeking out the
old paths?
I'VE want that the coming men and
women of this nation shall be educated
10 thoughts oil affection and reverence
of that which is best in human oharac'
ter, and as we are yet in the planting
season, showing to the other nations Of
the earth the possibilities OF nation Of
men, we feel that these testimonial
should grow and increase with the
years, so that other nations may be led
10 look from effect back to its cause
Let the nations OF the earth follow
We can afford to lead, Mr.. Chairman,
because we have the right to lead.
I'VE purposely omit 8 statement Of
this subject from a business standpoint
First, because we are sure that this