The Robesonian. [volume] (Lumberton, N.C.) 1870-current, 1910-06-13
THE NATIONAL MONUMENT
WASHINGTON, D. c.
For The Robesonian.

For The Robesonian.
1t is perfectly fitting tina
Washington the Capitol of oul
great nation should be the mos
beautiful city in the land; there
fore, as no one else has attempted
to describe it's matchless grand.
eur, attractive, loneliness and go,
geous scenery, we will leave i,
too, to the dreams of some flu
ture poet, and give our attention
wholly to the National move
ment whose lofty capstone seems
anxious to kiss the skies.
It was in 1888 that the CONT
mental Congress, which then,
represented less than a dozen
states began to plan the erection
of monument to General Wash
ington. But this measure was
lacking in legislative authority,
and hence it was not until long
after his death, on December q,
1899, that Congress undertook to
erect towering shaft, which
should as long as time shall last
perpetuate his memory and COM
memorate his glorious achieve
ments. The cornerstone OF this
gigantic monument was laid Ju-
ly A. 1848, the closing features
of which were consumated De-
cember 6, 1884, when by mas
terly touch and skillful hand. Col.
Thomas Lincoln Casey placed
the cap-stone. This was the
closing scene of the construction
period of one of the greatest en-
cheering feats ever undertaken
by the United States Government.
It's base is IS feet square, and
the top "a 1-2 feet, crowned with
a pyramid roof so feet high. It's
entire height is 600 feet and was
completed at a cost of 81, 1877
710.31.
On beholding its matchless
structure we readily conclude
that the time and money were
we'll spent because it pays sub
lime tribute to America Is greatest
hero. 1t stands upon a slight
eminence near the eastern bank
of the Potomac river and at the
terminus of the southern end of
the White House grounds.
Immediately upon arrival at
the monument visitors are met
by clever, polite and courteous
guards and attendants, and are
conducted to a large waiting
room which is provided with ex-
cellent facilities for pastime and
rest. Two means of travel are
furnished with no charge for
service, the elevator and stair
way; but in choosing to ascend
by way of the latter when one
reaches the destination which
takes him 500 feet towards the
heavens he feels like he has paid
sufficient fare, as there are 1913
steps from the base to the eleva-
tor landing at the top. Going up
10y elevator which makes the trip
in about five minutes, we found
cur visit quite satisfactory al
most by the time the apex of the
monument was reached and be-
gan our descent by the stairway.
We were told that fully twenty
minutes were required to COM
plete the journey, bu. Rev. R. L.
Byrd and myself actually made
the trip in twelve minutes but
We'll leave it to the readers of
The Robesonian to conjecture as
to the speed of our locomotion.
The capacity of the elevator is
thirty people who VIII average $50
pounds each, and makes round
trip every Is or 20 minutes, be-
ginning at ga. m. and closing at
4 p. m. daily, excepting Sundays
and holidays.
Upon the whole, our ten days
trip was most graciously enjoyed
and we are profoundly tn; nkful
to the Almighty, whose we are,
and whom We try to serve for
making it possible and to our
churches for their generosity
willingly bestowed in furnishing
the necessary funds with which
to meet expenses and last, bat
not least, to those who stayed
by the stuff" during our ab-
Sence.
Fraternally, J. NJ. Fleming,