The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-06-21
. Thomas Jefferson Monument.

IQOu1aS JeucTSOh 14Ohuu1oAt.
 The. following appeal merits the careful consideration of the Alabama Chapters In the efforts to raise funds for the Jef- ferson Monument the association has adopted plan so practical and, too' within the power of each chapter in the State to carry out. Place these fac simi- les In the schools where the children may have them always in sight as re- hinder of the spirit of independence and freedom which characterized our fore fathers and upon which our national ex- istence is based"
 The Thomas Jefferson Memorial
 Association of the United States.
 New York City, June 4, 1903.
 Dear Madam-I have the honor to re- quest that the following matter be sub mitted to your Chapter or some of the leading members thereof:
 This association Is strictly non-parti- san.. and was organized for the sole pur- pose of erecting a memorial in honor Of the author of the Declaration of Inde- pendence. Its object was enthusiastically endorsed by the last National CoTven- tion of the D. A. R. Our country, thanks chiefly to the patriotic organizations is literally covered with statues, memorials and tablets in honor of distinguished statesmen, soldiers, sailors, inventors, etc., and even foreign soldiers have not been forgotten. But 1t is reproach to our people that there is not even fitting tablet in all this broad land in honor of the author of the Declaration of Inde- pendence, our most precious heritage.
 The original Declaration of Indepen- dence is now very much faded. No doubt you noticed the recent newspaper an- nouncements to the effect that the Gov ernmsnt has decided that the Declara- tion shall never be exhibited to the peo- pie again. Secretary Hay has had the document carefully sealed in a steel case and deposited in the light proof vaults of the State Department.
 In, order that the exact appearance of the. dpFecious document may not pass out of che recollection of the people, "a num- berT of officially certified fac similes of thet Declaration have been prepared at great cost These fac similes show an exact counterpart of the original Declara- ton before 1t commenced to fade. The fac simile is surrounded by a border composed of the coats of arms of the thirteen original States. all beautifully done in about eight colors. The official certificate of Secretary Hay is shown on each fac simile attesting It's genuineness. These documents should have the place
 
 and office. But 1t is in the schools that we believe, they will be of greatest value to eur country, where the children may have. them always in sight as a reminder of that spirit of independence and free dom which characterized our forefathers and upon which our national existence iS based.
 We look to the patriotic cooperation of the ladies of the D. A. R. to have these precious documents placed in the schools of our country. One distin- guished lady of this city, a member of the New York City Chapter of the D. A R.. has presented a fac simile to every school in the city of Greater New York A number of the Regents throughout the country have also presented a fac simile to each school in their respective com. munities. These gifts have been most gratefully acknowledged through the public press. and they will be carefully preserved and exhibited in the various schools for years to come.
 We have never appealed in vain to the ladies of the patriotic organizations to aid in inculcating patriotism in the school children-the little men and wo- men to whom the country looks for it's preservation in the future.
 We now ask that you take this matter up with your chapter, or with some lead ing member of 1t who has the means and inclination to carry out this educative and patriotic idea. A fac simile should be presented to every school in your com mUnity. An inscription should be printed on the fac similes showing the name of the chapter and its object in making the gift.
 IfFthe number of fac similes required exceeds thirty, we make no charge for this printing If the number ordered falls below thirty we charge two dollars for the printing. The price of each fac simile is one dollar. no matter how many or how few are ordered. Remittance should accompany the order, also the wording of the inscription you desire