The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-02-19
BY wALDoN FAwcETr.


 fhe adage that republics are ungrateful would seem to be completely refuted by the manner in which the name and fame of George Washington have been com fnenlorated at the American capital. 1t Is no exaggeratlon to say that no other hero of any age or nation has been non ored so conspicuously. The memory or the first president of the United States has been honored at the seat of the gov erument which he established with monu- nents. statues and other memorials which cnll forcefuly to mind his invaluable serv- ices ns a citzrn. soldier Nnh Il states- man.
 From the Atlantic to the Pacific and from the Great Lakes to the Rio Grande the name of Washington has been given 10 hundreds of states towns, counties' townships. mountains, rivers and iakes. 'o say nothing of innunerahle streets anG buildings bat 1t Is especially appropriate that 1t should find it's most notable per petuation in various permanent memoriais in the beautiful city which be founded md which likewise bears his name. NO ,natter which way the visitor to Wash i,eton may turn he will find on every laad tributes to the greatest warrior statesman of nll lime. His personality and achievements arc fittingly eommemo' rated at the United states Capitol and at the White House. whle scattered midst nnrks and bouleyards are other testi- monIals in bronze and marble 10 the man to whom the greatest republic owes us heavlest debt of gratitude
 Ranking first not only among the trib- utes 10 the New World libcrator. but also. in aIl probability, among all personal me mortals throughout the world, is the great Washington National Monument-that i'm ,oeinn shaft of white marble rising on tho hanks of the Potomac 10 bespeak the ,,ratitnde of the whole American people in the ulustrlous Father of His Country
 This monument which Is the highest r,,sonrv structure fin the world. and doubly impressive in its simplicity. Is an obelisk and has height of 5oo feet. The foundation is 35 feet deep, and the walls of the colossal structure are 10 feet in thickness at the bottom, gradually taper ing to a thickness of but IS inches II the ton. In the huge pile are stones contrib uted by 40 different states of the Union and 16 American cities, as well as beauti- fully carved blocks of marble from Italy, Egypt. Greece. Switzerland, Japan, China. Slam. Brazil and other nations which took the opportunity 10 pay tribute to the greatest rebel of all ages.
 General Washington was yet living when there first originated the plan for providing this supreme testimonial to his military and political services. As early as l7s3 the Congress of the United States resolved to erect a marble monument to the nations idol, and 1t is said that Wash fngton himself selected as q site the spot where the monument now stands. The proiect was revived from time to time after the death of Washington. but it was not until 1888 that practical steps were taken to carry out the undertaking Funds were raised by popular subscription, and in lS4e the cornerstone of the towering structure was laid with due ceremony. In 1855 the funds which had been contrib uted were exhausted. the shaft having at that time attained height of 152 feet. and work was at q standstill for more than a score of years, or until 1878, when the na- tional legislature appropriated money to complete the masonry masterpiece. The completed monument, which represents an expenditure of more than $1,3o0,0o0, was dedicated just 20 years ago--February Fl. 1885.
 One of the most famous of all the me morials to Washington and one which has had most remarkable history occupies the place of honor on the plaza of the United States Capitoi-a site about 800 feet directly in front of the great white domed building. This much-dlscussed tribute is HoFatio Greenough's heroic statue In marble of George Washington. The figure, which is scantily arrayed in the toga of Roman senator, is repre- sented in a sitting posture. The left hand clasps short sword and the right hand 1oipts toward heaven. Y On theglow granite