Evening star. [volume], February 21, 1885, Page 2, Image 2

About Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972

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THE STORY OF THE SHAFT.
A Narrative Whloh Cover* Over a Century
of Time.
HOW CONGRESS RESOLVED TO ERECT A MONUMENT,
BUT FAILED TO DO SO?THE WORK
TAKES VP BY THE MOSI'MEST SOCIETY AND
FINALLY ASSUMED BY CONCItSSB.
The dedication to-day of the loftiest structure
m the world to the memory of the man wha
occupies the highest pedestal In the American
Pantheon makes a big punctuation mark in
history. The event will be memorable, not
only on account of the evidence it gives that
the steady patriotism which inspired the founders
of the republic still lives, but also because
It signalizes the cvmpletlon of an edifice which
will hereafter be included with the Pyramids,
with St. Peter'*, and with the leaning tower of
Pisa, among the architectural wonders of the
world. There is rejort of only one structure
ever erected by human hands that could stand
by the Washington monument without appearing
belittled, ami that wa:<ih< Tuwer of Babel.
To-day's ceremonies marked the completion of
a patriotic project conceived over a centurv
ago.
THE FIRST RESOLUTION.
On the 7th of August, 17S.'{, the Continental
Congress resolved unanimously "that an equestrian
statue of Washington be erected at the
place where the resid- nee of Congress shall be
established." This was the first public step
taken towards erecting a suitable memorial to
Washington, and from it the movement rf-tilting,
1 u*J years later, in the d dication of the
^ashington National Monument is dated.
Congress never took any steps to carry the resolution
of l7is\$ into eili ?-t until ls;?3, when
960,000 wa- appropriated ! -r the erection of an
equestrian *tatue, wltich wa-completed by t i
late Clark Mills and placed in the circle at the
Intersection of Pennsylvania and New llam|> hire
avenues.
After the death of Washington a joint committee
of both in >us.-s <>j i 'oujf was appointed
to consider a mannerof paying honor to his
memory. <>n L>ecemher 24th. 17!'!', Congre-s
resolved "That a marble monument be ere. led
by the L nited states at the city ?> ' Washington,
and that the iauiity of <-t ii. \\ :i--hiugton be requested
to permit his body to be deposited
under it. and that t he monument be so designed
as to comni? rii' r:tr.- the great events oi his military
and political life."
On the request of Congress being formally
communicated to the \tid< wot Washington
she consented that the r.-ni;-.ins should be removed
from their resting-place at Mount Verfion
in the following touching words: "Taught
>y the great example whi< h I have so long hud
before mo never to < j?imy private wishes t*>
the public will, I need not, I cannot say what a
sacrifice of individual feeling 1 make t".? a s. n-"
of public duty."* On tiie 8tli of May, Isom, the
House of Representatives passed a resolution
that a mausoleum be erected to George Washington
iu the city of Washington, and on January
1, lyol, the same body passed a bill aj>proprlating
for ihw construction of
this mausoleum. It does notap]>ear that any
action was taken on either tin* resolution or the
bill by the Senate, winch made them, therefore,
Inoperative.
MR. BUCHANAN KEVlVfS TIIE PROJECT.
The project then slumbered for a quarter of a
century, until, on the 15th of January, 182-1.
Mr. Buchanan, afterwards l*resident, offered iu
the House of Representative**, of which lie was
at that time a member, a resolution providing
for the appointment of a committee to inquire
In what manner the resolutions ot l>ecember
24. 17t?9. coil d best be aec> mplished. In his
speech advocating the adoption of the resolution
Mr. Buchanan said: "We made a solemn
promise to the widowed partner of Washington
and to the people of the l.'uited States bv a
legislative act, that we would ere t a monument
to his memory. That distinguished ladv lias
long slumbered with him in the grave," and
this pledge has never yet been red< eined.
Although his mortal remains have at our
request and by her consent b< -"me the proi ertv
of the nubile, yet they siih lie neglected.
Indeed. I have been credibly informed that an
attempt has been made to st-'al tlx-m awav
from this country, which had almost proved
Successful." Mr. Cary, of Georgia, opposed the
resolution, urging that the erection of monuments
was a barbaric custom. After considerable
discussion .Mr. Buchanan's resolution was,
on motion of Mr. Gazlay. a inemiter from uhio,
laid on the lable by a vote of 97 to t>7.
MR. CLAY'S EFFORT.
February 13, is:52, a joint committee of the
two houses of Congress appointed to make arrangements
for celebrating the centennial anniversary
of Washington's birthday, of which
Henry Clay was chairman on the part of the
Senate, mad* a report, concluding with a recommendation
that Congress adopt the necessary
measures to -arr.v into effect the resolution
of December 24th. 177l?, for tiie removal oi the
body of George Washington and its interment
In the Capitol at the city of Washington, and
that the ceremony be performed cm the evening
Of the 22d instant. Mr. Clay then submitted a
resolution authorizing tiie President of the Senate
and the speaker oi the House to make ai?plication
to John A. \\ ashington,of Jit.Vernon,
lor the body of George Washington, to be removed
and deposited in the Capitol at Washington
city on February 'ggd. li?32, iin,i the two
houses of Congress attend and assist in the pe rformance
of the ceremonies. Mr. (May said iu
his opinion, the unredeemed pi. dge of Congress
to dispose of the remains of Washington in a
public manner should be fulfilled. He would
state that those entrusted with the erection of
*we already prepared a vault under
the center of the rotunda for this express purpose.
not by authority, he believed, but upon
their own suggestion and sense of proprietv.
>lr. Clay, in the course of his remarks, made iio
allusion to the monument which Congress had
so solemnly resolved to build so manv years i
previous, and it was generally understood at the
time that the vault in the rotunda had been
prepared because of the belie! that the projeet
to build a monument could not be resuscitated.
Mr. Forsyth opposed the resolution, as, lie
claimed, it was contrary to the injunctions of
w ashingtort's will, i ani-1 Webster advocated
the resolution. Mr. Tazewell, of Virginia opposed
the resolution on the ground that it siudi
a precedent were establish!* l the Capitol would
s?>on be converted into a cemetery, -once commence
this Romish rite,'' he said, "and vou !
will cauonlze as many patriots as there'are j
saints in the Romish calendar, and ussociate i
W ashington with any patriot whom partv mav '
blindly elevate." John Tyler, the other"Senator
from Virginia, concurred with Mr. Taze- I
wells sentiments. Mr. Clay, in replv, expressed
the opinion that no man would ever be !
deemed worthy by the people to be placed bv i
theside of Washing* >n: but, said he, should i't
please the Almighty to bestow uiM?n the coun- j
try the biessing of another \\ ashington, he !
could not. for one. wish that the same hbnor !
now proposed should be withheld from him 1
Tne resolution of Mr. Clay was then adopted bv
a vote of to 15, the two Virginia Senators,
Mr.Havne, of South < arolir.a: Mr. Mircv of New
lork; Mr. smith, o: Maryland, and Mr." Dallas
of Fennsylvania. being among the negatives'
Before the resolution pa^ed the House".! R.,,1
r? sentatives it was modified, so as toask the
consent of Jno. A. Washington and of Geo W
Farke Custis, the grandson of Martiia Washington,
tor the removal ot her remains, to be
deposited in the Capitol with th- it her conw
u. Custis gave his consent, but Mr
W asblurt on felt con*trai?-d to decline on aecount
of the construction which he placed ut-on
Gen Washington's will. This decision of MW
ashington s was regarded its final. Hnd it was
accepted by Congress and by the people of the
L nited Stat.-s that the bones (M Washington
were to rest undisturbed tor all time at his ancestral
home.
THE WASHINGTON NATIONAL MONUMENT SOCIETY.
Congress having taken no steps to give effect
to its own purpose as expressed in the resolution
of 1 <99,patriotic citizens of Washington in 1833
formed the VS ashington National Monument I
society for the purp.**; or erecting '-a great na- i
tional monument to the memory of Washington
at the seat of the federal government." The i
association determined to appeal to the people
?f..!he,.Th?,e countr>" to redeem the plighted
tklth of their representatives 1 undertook to i
erect the proposed monument b\ iu?*uns ol* uricontributloiis.
In 1-47 the s. ciety had
collecte-d a sufficient fund to warrant a commencement
of the work. In the meantime ;*1vertisements
had been published invitin" de- ^
signs for the monument from Aineriean artists !
but pl&cin^ do liixiitutious ujx>n ttit* ]*
was recommended, however, that they should
harmoniously blend durabilitvrsimplicitv ami
gsr.deur." The o^sr was estimatid a? not l--s
an 5:1,000,'XHJ. A great niauv designs were
submitted, but the one selected was that of
Robert Mills, the architect 01 the Interior department.
On January 31,1848, Congress passed a resolution
authorizing the Washington Monument
society to erect "a monument to the memorv of
Pf^e "ashington, upon such portion oi 'the
public grounds or reservations within the citv
ol W ashington not otherwise occupied as shall
be selected by the President of the United
states and the board of managers of said societv
as a suiUible site on which to erect said monument,
and lor the necessary protection thereof."
THE SITE SELECTED
was public reservation No. ;j, containing more
than 30 acres. Subsequently, by deed or donation
recorded February g_?. 1MM, James K.
Polit, President of the L nited Stales, conveyed,
In pursuance of authority of the act of Congress!
the aforesaid reservation No. 3 to the Wabhin*ton
National Monument society.
Criticisms have from time to time been made
upon the locality chosen, but those who made
the selection seem to have been actuated bv
various excellent motives. it wa* the site
chosen by Washington himself for the monument
proposed in 1TH5 to be erected in memorv
of the American revolution, as weli as tne sixlt
selected by Major L'Knfant, when he laid out
the city, tor a monument to the memory of
w ashington, which was promised several years
earlier. Upon the map o; the prop *ed citv this
spot was so de?lgnatcd by L'Enfnnt, umi the
map was approved by Washington and submitted
to Congress. It would appear,therefore.that
In making the selection the society %rer< to a certain
extent carrying out the personal wishes of
the memorialized President in the matter.
There were other reasons, however, which affected
the selection. In 18<>4, during Jt fferson's
Administration, the ttrat Washington meridian
was run, which passed directly through the
front door of the White House. * This meridian
was intersected at right angles at almost the
exact spot selected for the site by a line due
west from the Capitol. Probably the center of
the old District, which was ten miles square
was nearly, if not exactly, 011 this spot. Besides!
the location chosen was the only one which
[ ~ 1
THEHONUl^
W. W. CORCORAN.
M K. BELL.
would afford :i fineviewof the monument from j
both land a:id water. fherc the monument
overlooks Washington,* Georgetown, Alexandria,
i Arlington and Mount Vemon.
THE CORNER-STONE.
In January, IMS, it was decided by the society
to postpone the laying of the corner-stone
until July 4th. In the meantime the society
had been presented with the corner-stone by
Mr. 1 homas Simonton, a public-spirited citizen
of Baltimore. It was forwarded by rail, free of
charge, and upon itsarrival volunteer workmen
from the navy yard and a number or citizens
I transported it to the monument site, amid
great enthusiasm.
! On ti?e 11*i i.t July, 1818, ti e corner-stone of
the monument was laid in the presence of an
imniens,. concourse of people, including the
iii si.i,.ut ;unl Vice President, Senators and
1 .' j>! sentatives. eabi' e ministers, the judiciary,
the corporate au e,,rities of Washington,
Alexandria and Georgetown, and delegations
all quarters o! the I niou,a;id from several
Indian tribes. it ha I been intended that John
Quincy Adams should be the orator of the oecasii
>n. but in consequence of his death the Hon.
joot rt C. \\ inthrof). speaker of the House of
hepreseptati\es, delivered an address.
1 he work u[h.i, the monument was prosecuted
tor eight years, and was stopped lor lack of
, runds when it reached the hc??rht or 150 feet.
| I ii<* society appealed to ]<eoph> vainly for more
money and luemoralized Congress with no
. greater success.
CONGRESS AGAIN CONSIDERS THE MATTER.
On the loth ol July, 1854, the House of Representatives
apj>oi?itcd a select committee of
thirteen to consider this memorial, of which
the Hon. Henry May, or Maryland, was chairman.
Un the 2*2d of February, 1855, Mr. May made
a report from the select committee, commending
the work oi the society, heartily concurring
in its objects, and bearing testimony to .the
solidity and beauty of t lie monument as far as
completed. The committee .said: "Kach state
s,'u? two or the territories or the Union have
i (''iiti l juted a biock oi marble or stone, inscribed
with its arms or some suitable device, and a
gloat many others have been offered bv various
institutions and K-it ti. s throughout the land;
m" bt'v'Til' foreign governments have testified
their desire to unite in this ureat work of humanity
, intended to commemorate the virtues
oi its chief ornament and example. Tiie
boundaries oi Christendom do not limit his
lame, which reaches to the remotest parts of
the earth, and the most distant and isolated
nations have testified their veneration towards
his memory. Switzerland, Koine, Bremen,
i urKej, Greece, China and Japan have plouslv
united to pay their homage to our Washington.
Such tributes are our highest trophies. Tiie history
ot mankind affords no parallel to this. We
feel bound in this place especially to commend
the zeal and liberality or the Masonic societies,
the order of odd Fellows, tiie various fire companies,
and the touching contributions of the
children of tiie schools oi tiie country?all regularly
dedicating their affectionate tributes. And
the < herokee an.I Chickasaw nations of Indians
also deserve to be honored for their very liberal
donations of money; commemoratine* also in
this the eloquent sentiment of the great chief
Cornplanter. delivered to Washington in 1791:
1 lie voice of the Seneca nation speaks to vou!
the gi"a; councilor, in whose heart the wiseineu
oi all the thuteen Fires have placed their wisdom.
"
The committee commended the design of
buildint the monument by the voluntary coni
tributionsof the jwopleof tiie United States, but
at the same time recommended that a subscription
to aid the work be made by Congress,
i he committee, therefore, recommended that
Congress vote 8200.000 in behalf of the people
? V? l~flllt,tl States, which was the sum demoted
to the monumciit ordered bv the resolutions
ot 1799, and voted by the House of Representatives
on the 1st of January, 1801. Tiie
committee said: "In making this recommendation
we expressly disclaim engaging for anv
I tur.ner a.d by Congress to the work, on the distini't,
grounds that while it is proper Congress
should make a liberal subscription toward it
yel.it ts both the right and duty of the people
of the L nited States to complete it."
POLITICAL TROUBLES.
At the time the report or the committee was
made there was a very favorable reeling In
Congress on the subject, and had it not been for
c* '"tain untoward circumstances the appropriation
recommended would in all probability
have been granted. The know-nothing agitation
was at its height. Persons supposed to be
connected with the know-nothing partv defaced
and removed the stone contributed for
the monument by the pope of llotno. it was
,hV rnonument to Washington
should l.e built by Americans alone, and no aid
or contributions from outside sources should be
countenanced or received. The managers of
the society, on the very day that the rep ,rt was
presented to the House of Representatives
were unexpectedly superseded in their places
' an unlawful election, and the management
of the atlairs of the society was assumed by
the agents ot a political party. This put a
summary stop to the attempt to Induce Conf
n **. any ' Pj-ropriation. The war,
" m, h followed soon after, offered further div
couragemenu to tiie society.
ANOTHER EFFORT IN CONGRESS.
No further proceedings were taken in Congress
until January 22, 1872, when Mr. Chipman
then a delegate in the Houseof Representatives
trom the District orColumbia, Introduced a bill
appropriating 8200,000 toward the completion
or the monument. The bill was referred to the
committee ou the District or Columbia. On the
. 19th of April the committee made an elaborate
reiH?rt, heartily approving of the object of tiie
bill but taking tiie position that it did not come
within their jurl-Jictlon, and recom me nd to*
that it be relet red t?? tiie committee on apprcw
priations. 1 he reference was made and the bill
was never more heard of. But, not to be discouraged,
Mr. Chipman made another etTort at
the next session or Congress. On the 27th or
January ,18. .l,on his motion,the House ordered
a select committee or thirteen to consider the
practicability or completing the Washington
monument by the approaching centennial (Julv
4,18?O>, and ordered that the *^2d ofFebruarv
en-uing be especially assigned tor the consider"!,
,,n.th,e r,'lK>rt the committee. On the
? of^cbruary Mr. Chipman promptly presented
the report of his committee, goinsr over
all the facts which so many times before had
been brought to the attention or Congress, and
concluding with a recommendation to appropriate
$200,000 Over and over during that day s
session, the birthday or Washington, did ?Tlr
< iilpman and other members of the committee
u.'pe the House to stand by its order and consider
the report of the committee. But the session
of Congress was drawing to a close and
members had too many private schemes to'look
after to devote any time to the inemorv ot
George \V ashington. The river and harbor'bill
that measure so dear to the heart of the average
member, was before the House. The reportor
the committee was antagonized with the river
and harbor bill, when Mr. S. 8. Cox said "It is
George Washington against a Job. I "should
like to have the vote taken in that way."
The record shows that the job won. The report
on the monument went over, and Congress
adjourned on the 4th or March without irivintt
It rurther consideration. May 1st, 1874 the
committee again reported in ravor of an appropriation
sufficient for the purpose, but aaain the
matter was not tlnally acted upon.
CENTENNIAL PATRIOTISM.
On February 9, 1876, Mr. Edmunds introduced
in the Senate a resolution directing the
committee on public buildings and grounds to
inquire into the propriety of making adequate
provision for the speedy completion of the inonument.
The resolution was passed, and the
committee had several conferences with the
officers of the society, but they were unable to
come to any satisfactory conclusion on account
of various differences of opinion.
The patriotic inspiration of the centennial
year was felt in the House as well as In the Senseveral
bills were introduced In the House
providing for the completion of the monument.
but no action was taken on any of them
I he 4th davof July,1870.witnessed unusuallvextensive
celebrations of that anniversary, anS an
auspicious occasion was presented tobrlni: uu
the subject of the monument. On Julv 5th Mr
i re^.VaU?ms'reiiente<i the Senat? the following
rtT.yhf,rea8.-U has Phased Almighty God to
h i \ L.nitod States of America safely
t hrough one hundred years of national life, and
to crown our nation with the highest blessing
l,^11 and religious liberty; therefore, the
senate and House or Representatives in Con.
gress assembled, in the name or the people of
ih? I nited states. In reverent thankfulness acge
l?e fountain and source, the* author
and gl%er of all these blessings, and our deupon
Hu providence and will; and
whereas we recognUe, aa our fathers did, thai
pjh; hrah mm
t commission.
EDWARD CT.ARK.
BRIG. OES. JOHN NEWTON.
George Washington, 'first in peace, first In war,
and first in the hearts of hi.-> countrymen.' Mas
one of the chief instruments of Divine Providence
in securing American independence, and
in laying broad and deep the foundations of our
liberties in the Constitution of the United States;
therefore, as a mark of our sense of the honor
due to his name and to his compatriots and associates.
o?r revolutionary fathers, we, the Senate
and the House of Representatives, in Congress
assembled, in t l?e name of the people of the
L'nited States, at this, the beginning of the second
century of national existence, do assume
and direct the completion of the Washington
monument, in the city of Washington, ana instruct
the committees on appropriation of the
respective houses to pro|>ose suitable provisions
of law to carry this 'resolution into
effect."
The resolution passed the Senate unanimously,
and on the following day the House of Representatives
also passed it unanimously.
Two days afterwards Mr. Sherman introduced
a bill making an appropriation of $>100,000 to
continue the work. The bill was pushed
through both houses with as little delay as possible.
the appropriation having been increased
to $200,000, and 011 the 2d of August, 1870, it
received the signature 01 the President aud was
a law.
The design of Congress was that the monument
should be completed by October, 1881,the
centennial anniversaryofthe surrender ofCornwallis
at Yorktown, and the crowning achievement
01 Washington in war.
THE MONUMENT COMMISSION.
The construction of the monument was placed
under the direction and su]>C] vision of an exofficlo
commission, to consist of the President of
the United States, the supervising architect of
the Treasury department, the architect of the
Capitol, the chief of engineers of the United
States army, and the first vice president of the
Washington National Monument society.
The gentlemen who have served 011 the monument
commission since this law was passed are
Presidents UlyssesS. Grant, It. B. Ilayes, Jas. A.
Garfield and Chester A. Arthur; Chiefs of Corps
of Engineers. U. S. A.. Brigadier Gens. A. A.
Humphreys, Horatio Wright and John Newton;
Architect of the Capitol Edward Clark, Architects
of the Treasury James G. Hill, John Eraser
acting, and M. E. Bell: and first vice president
ofthe Washington National Monument society,
Mr. W. w. Corcoran. The present
members of the commission, besides
President Arthur, are Gen. John Newton,
Messrs. Edward Clark, M. E.Bell and W.
W. Corcoran. The law creating the commission
required that all the property and rights of the
Monument society should be c onveyed to the
United States, aiid provided that prior to resuming
the work 011 the monument an examination
should be made to ascertain whether the
foundation was sufficient to sustain the weight
of the completed structure.
A board of engineer officers reported that the
foundation was insufficient, and it would be
inadvisibie to proceed with the work of construction
until it was properly strengthened.
The report of the commission, with the facts in
the case, were transmit ted to Congress with the
annual message of the P * sident, on December
3, 1 b78. Congress then . inferred the necessary
authority for the expenditure of a portion of
the appropriation of $>200,00u in strengthening
the foundation. Two seasons were spent by
Col. Thomas Lincoln Casey, the engineer officer
detailed to take charge of the work. The snows
and suns of twenty-five winters and summers
had made havoc with the comparatively unprotected
masonry in the top portion of the
shaft, and it was found necessary to take down
three courses, which reduced the height of the
structure to one hundred and fifty feet above
the level of the floor.
THE WORK RESUMED.
The work of carrying skyward the structure,
which had stood for many years as a reproach
to the patriotism of the nation, was resumed on
the 7th of August, 1880, when the first stone
was laid. The capstone was placed in position
December Gth, 1884. The cost of the work up
to the present time has been $1,187,710.31, of
which amount the United States expended
#887,710.31, and the Monument society about
?300,000.
ROBERT MILLS, T1IE ARCHITECT.
'The Man Who Made the Original Design
of the Monument.
Robert Mills, the architect, who made the
original design of the Washington monument,
superintended Its construct io 1 until his death
in 1S55, having then carried the structure up
to the height of 150 feet. He was for many
years a well-known figure here, occupy ing a
high social jiosltlon and being engaged "In many
projects and enterprises for the public good.
He was born in the city of Charleston, South
Carolina, August 12th, 1781. He studied his
profession as engineer and architect under the
late Benjamin F. Latrobe, sr. Early In life he
made the acquaintance of Thomas Jefferson,
who greatly encouraged him in his studies, entertained
him at Monticelio, and gave him access
to his library. He married Eliza B. Smith,
of Hackwood Park, Va., in October, 1808, and
subsequently resided for many years in Philadelphia,
where he designed many buildings,
both in Philadelphia and other cities. Among
the notable structures which bear his name ana
which he designed while engaged in professional
practice, are the Washington monument in
Baltimore, the Monumental church in Richmond.
the Circular Baptist church in Baltimore
and the Suspension bridge over the Schuylkill
at Philadelphia. In 1?24 he returned to his
native state to fill the office of superintendent
of public buildings. While there he designed
many public ancfprivate buildings, prepared a
'statistics and atlas" of the state ofSouth Carolina,
and performed many other duties pertaining
to his profession. In 1830 he returned
to Washington and was appointed by President
Jackson U. S. architect. \\ hlle he held this position
all new public buildings ordered by Congress
were designed by him. The Treasury
building, the General Post Office building and
other buildings here bear testimony to his
taste and skill as an architect. His life in
Washington was a particular busy one. He
was engaged constantly in devising or execute
ing projects of considerable magnitude. He
wrote many articles on the introduction of
water into the city. He devoted himself also
to advocating the construction of a single track
railroad to the l'aclflc. A model of his proposed
railroad is still In existence. In those days
many of his schemes, which have since been
proved feasible and have been carried into
effect by others, were considered visionary.
Among other projects he proposed, was the
construction of a public stone bridge across the
Potomac here, at a cost of a minion dollars.
This plan, it is said, met with the favor of President
Jackson, but did not receive the sanction
of Congress. The expenditure appeared vast,
but it was urged in its favor that it would be a
means of saving In the end. The Washington
National monument was one of his last designs.
After his plan had been accepted and when the
Monument society was ready to begin the work.
Mr. Mills' services were retained at a salary or
$500 per annu-n to superintend" the building
operations. Mr. Mills died March 3d, 1855.
His daughter, Mrs. Evans, and granddaughter
are now living on Capitol Hill
in this city. In changing the plans
of the ihonument the pantheon originally
designed by Mr. Mills, has been omittea.
This part of the design, Mrs. Evans said, was
what distinguished the proposed structure
from other monuments. At the time the design
was flrat made public, she says it was greatly
admired, the vastness of the plan and tne harmonious
proportions of the structure eliciting
the highest praise. It was Bald that Mr. M'"?
had been inspired for the work.
^^?Iu
ETOLl'TIOX OF THE MOJfl'MEXT.
Tho Shaft and Pantlicon as Originally
Planned by Hubert Xilla,
AW ELABORATE DESIGN GRADUALLY STRIPPED
OF ORNAMENT?THE PROPER PROPORTIONS OF
OBELISKS?SUGGESTIONS MADE FROM TIME TO
TIME CONCERNING THE DESIGN?COL* CASEY'S
KECOMMEX DATIONS.
The Washington monument, as It now stands
completed. Is quite different from the structure
which Robert Mills had In mind when he made
the original design. After the first plan was
drawn aud accepted by the monument society
various changes were made, dictated In some instances
by the condition of the treasury of the
hoc let y and in others by a change in the views of
the society regarding the architectural character
which the monument should have. Robert
Mills, however., never abandoned the general j
features of his original plan, though he was
compelled, on account of lack of funds, to cut
down the proposed height of the shaft, reduce
the scale of the pantheon and eliminate much
of the detail.
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THE ORIGINAL DESIGN.
The original design, the estimated cost of
which was ?1,122,000, as described in an old
official paper presented by Mrs. Evans, the
daughter of Robert Mills, now living in this
city, was as follows:
This design embraces the Idea of a grand circular
colonnaded building, 250 feet in diameter
and 100 feet high, from which springs an
obelisk shaft 70 feet at the base and 500 feet
high, making a total elevation of 600 feet.
This vast rotunda, forming the grand base of
the monument, is surrounded by Uo columns of
massive proportions, being TJ feet in diameter
and 45 ieet high, elevated upon a lofty base or
stylobate of 20 feet elevation and 3oo feet
square, surmounted by an entablature 2U ieet
high, and crowned by a massive balustrade 15
feet in height.
The terrace outside of the colonnade is 25 feet
wide, and the pronaos or walk within the colonnade,
including the coiumu space, 25 feet. The
walks inclosing the eella, or gallery within, are
fretted with 30 massive ant e (pilasters 1 10 feet
wide, 45 feet high, and feet projection,
answering to the columns in front, surmounted
by their appropriate architrave. The deep
recesses formed by the projection of the antnv
provide suitable niches lor the reception of
statues.
A tetrdstyle portico (4 columns In front) in
triple rows of the same proportions and order
with the columns of the colonnade, distinguishes
the entrance to the monument, and
serves as a pedestal tor the triumphal ear and
statue ot the illustrious chief; the steps of this
portico are flanked by massive blockings, surmounted
by appropriate figures and trophies.
Over eacli column is the great frieze 01 the entablatures
around the entire building are sculptured
escutcheons (coats ofarms of each state in
the Union, surrounded by bronze civic wreaths,
banded together by festoons of oak leaves. &c.,
all of which spring, each way, from tho center
of the portico, where the coat of arms of the
United states are emblazoned.
The statues surrounding the rotunda outside,
under the colonnade, are all elevated 111 >on
pedestals, and will be those of the glorious
signers ol the Declaration of Independence.
Ascending the portico outside to the terrace
level, a lofty vomitoria (door wav) 30 feet high
leads into the cella (rotundagallery) 50feet wide,
500 feet in circumference, and 60feet high,with
a eollossal pillar in the center TO feet in diameter.
around which the gallery sweeps. This
pillar forms the foundation of the obelisk
column above.
Both sides of the gallery are divided into
spaces by pilasters, elevated on a continued
zocle or base 5 feet high, forming an order with
its entablature, 40 feet high, crowned hv a
vaulted ceiling 20 feet high, divided by radiating
arelievaults corresponding with the relative
positions of the opposing pilasters, and enclosing
deep sunken coders enriched with
paintings.
The s j/aces between the pilasters are sunk into
niches for the reception of the statues of the
fathers of the Revolution, contemporary with
the immortal Washington; over which are large |
tablets toreceive the national paintings comme- !
morative of the battle and other scenes of that
memorable period. Opposite to the entrance of
this gallery, at the 1 xtremity of the great circular
wall, is the grand niche for the reception of
the statue of the "Fa titer of his Country"?elevated
on its appropriate pedestal, and designated
as principal in the group by its colossal
proportions.
This spacious gallery and rotunda, which properly
may be denominated the "National Pantheon,''is
lighted in four grand divisions from
above, and by its circular form, presents each
subject decorating its walls in an interesting
point of view, and with proper effect, as the curiosity
is kept up every moment, from the
whole room not being presented to the eve at
one glance, as in the case of a straight gallery
Entering the center pier through an arched
way, you pass into a spacious circular area,and
ascend with an easy grade, by a railway to the
grand terrace, 75 feet above the base of the monument.
This terrace is 700 feet in circumference,
180 wide, enclosed by a colonnaded balustrade,
15 feet feet high with its base and capping.
The circuit of this grand terrace is studded with
small temple-formed structures, constituting
the cupolas of the lanterns, lighting the ParTtheon
gallery below, by means of these little
temples, from a gallery within, a bird's eye
view is had of the statues, <fcc., below.
Through the base of the great circle of the
balustrade are four apertures at the four cardinal
points, leading outside of the balustrade,
upon the top of the main cornice, where a gallery
six feet wide and 750feet in circumference
encircles the whole, enclosed by an ornamental
guard, forming the crowning member on the
top of the tholus of the main cornice of the
grand colonnade. Within the thickness of this
wall staircases descend to a lower gallery over
the plafond of the pronaos of the colonnade
lighted from above. Thlsgallery.which extends
all round the colonnade, is twenty feet widedivided
into rooms for the records' of the monument.
works of art, or studios for artists engaged
in the service of the monument. Twoother
ways communicate with this gallery from
below.
In the center of the grand terrace above doscribed,
rises the lofty obelisk shaft of the monument,
fifty feet square at the base and 500
feet high, diminishing as It rises to its apex,
where it is forty feet square; at the foot of this
shaft and on each face project four massive
zocles twenty-five feet high.supporting somanv
colossal symbolic trinods of victory twentv
feet high, surmounted by fascial columns with
their symbols of authority. These zocle faces
are embellished with inscriptions, which are
continued around the entire base of the shaft
and occupy the surface of that part of the shaft
between the tripods. On each face of the shaft
above this is sculptured the four leading events
in Gen. Washington's eventful career, in basso
relievo, and above this the shaft Is perfectly
plain to within fifty feet of its summit, where a
simple star Is placed, emblematic of the glory
which the name of Washington has attained.
To ascend to the summit of the column the
same facilities as below are provided within
the shaft by an easy graded gallery, which may
be traversed by a railway, terminating in a circular
observatory twenty feet in diamater,
around which at the top is a look-out gallerv,
which opens a prospect all around the horizon.
With reference to the area embraced by the
foundations and basement of the monument
and the uses to which they may be applied, the
underspace outwards, occupied by the lower
terrace and colonnade, may be appropriated to
the accommodation or the keepers of the monument,
or those having charge of it and attending
on visitors.
These apartments, which are arched, are well
lighted ana aired, as they are all above ground,
the light being disposed In the sunk panels or
the stylobate (base.) The principal entrance to
all these apartments will be from the rear or
opposite side of the portico entrance. The
inner space, or that unoer the grand gallery or
rotundo, may be appropriated to catacombs for
the reception of the remains of such distinguished
men as the nation may honor with interment
here. This subterranean gallery Is so
large and lofty that it would accommodate
many catacombs.
In the center of the monument is placed the
tornn1 of Washington to receive hfs remains
should they be removed thither, the descent to
which is by a broad flight of steps lighted by
the tame light which illumines his statue.
MODIFYING THE PLAN.
This elaborate plan was modified considerably
before the corner-stone was laid. After
the society had secured funds enough to warrant
them, as the members thought, in beginning
the work objections were made to the design
adopted. In March, 1848, the matter of
changing the design was referred to Mr. Mills
and Mr. Kenwlck, who were requested to report
upon the expediency of various elevations from
three to five hundred feet. In April they reported
in favor of an elevation of 300 feet, but
the society decided on 600 feet "without steps/'
which meant the adoption of a 500-foot shaft
clear, leaving the matter of the surrounding
terrace undetermined. The shaft was commenced
55 feet square at the base Instead of
70. as originally contemplated. According to
Uik modified design the work was prosecuted
until ?* came to a standstill In 1856 on account
of a lack of funds.
RECENT DISCTSSION OF THE OESIGN.
When a few years ago It appeared probable
that Congress would complete the work the design
became again a matter of discussion. Many
propositions were made for utilising so much of
the shaft as had been erected in a design different
from that originally adopted. One was that
it should be made a pedestal for a colossal statue
of George Washington, and another that the
Bartholal statue of Liberty, intended lor New
York harbor, should be elevated upon this
stump of a shaft; another suggestion was that
the incompleted shaft be used in constructing
a grand triumphal arch. When Congress at
la>t made i rovislon for resuming the work, in
1870. the attention of the engineers was tiivt
directed to the foundation, and that wits
strengthened sufficiently to bear the weight
which it was expected would be put upon it.
The design first propped by the commission
was to carry the monument to a height of o'J5
feet. It was decided to construct the shaft of
masonry to the height of 500 feet, and to crown
the shaft with a pyramidal rt>of of iron 25 feet
in height. This roof, it was thought, couid be
covered with hammered glass over some portions,
to give light to the well of the monument.
Subsequently the proper proportionsof the shaft
were the subject ot considerable correspondence.
A plan was also proposed by Larkin G. Mead,
the sculptor, to affix to the four sides of the
shaft, near the biise. immense bronze panels
representing the great epoeh-marking scenes in
Washington's life. A study of the proportions
observed by the ancients in rearing obelisks
suggested a change of the height to 55U feet,
the pyramidon oh top to have a height of 50
feet.
THE MODERN IPEA.
The Washington Monument society, in a memorial
to Congress, dated April 20th. 1880, dlfecussed
the design of the monumfflit in the following
words:
'"The undersigned are not unmindful that
strong efforts have been made of late to throw
discredit on the design of the monument, and
that various plaus have been presented for
changing the character of the structure. Nor
has the association, which the undersigned
have the honor to represent, ever been unwilling
that such modifications of the design should
be made as should be found necessary for the
absolute security of the work. With this view,
they gave formal expression a year aso to their
acquiescence in the general plans of the accomplished
American artist. >lr. Story, who had
kindly given his attention to the subject; but
iu>\v that the strengthening of the foundation
has been successfully and triumphantly accom- )
plislied by a signal application of skill and
science, they cannot forbear from making a respectiul
i iit urgent appeal to Congress t-? give
their linal sanction to the prosecution and completion
ot'the work without more delay, according
to the plans recommended by the commissioners
appointed by Congress, with the President
of the United States at their head, and by
the engineer under their direction. Any other
course, they are convinced, would be likely to
postpone the completion ot the monument for I
an< >ther generation, to involve the whole subject
in continued perplexities, and to necessi-]
tate va-tly larger appropriations In theeud than
have now been asked lor. ?
The in: in element of the original designof
this monument was an obelisk. The pantheon ,
propo-ed lor encircling its base was long ago
abandoned. The simple obeiisk is all tiiai is i
contemplated.
It has i ecu objected in some quarters that the
ancient obelisks were all monoliths?massive j
single stones, cut whole from the quarry: but
our country has been proud to give examples
of both p?l?tical and material structures which
owe their strength to union; and this monument
to Washington will not be the less significant
or stately from embodying the idea of our
national motto, %K pi u rib us unum.'
When the well-known monument on Bunker
hill wa- originally projected, more than half a
century ago. an obelisk of this composite character,
constructed ot separate blocks of hewn
granite, was agreed up<>n by the most distinguished
artists and architects of that day. The
late eminent sculptor, Horatio Greenough, furnished
the design, and it was approved by
(Jiloert smart, Washington Allston, and Loammi
Baldwin. Daniel Webster, Joseph Story,
and Edward Everett united at the time 'n pronouncingit
the most effective design for .-.monument
of that momentous battle. It was finished
accordingly, and has stood, and still
stands, proudly on that consecrated spot; and
few persons, ii any, are found at this day to
wish that it had assumed any other form. And
this monument to Washington when completed
according to t lie present plaus, of much more
than twice the heisrht oi' the Bunker hill obelisk.
and of pure white marble, will silence all
criticism and cavil.
Doubtless, something more original and more
ornate might have been concehed at the outset,
or might now be designed; but there are
abundant fields for the exhibition of advanced
art in ot her pails of the country, if not here.
This monument and Its design will date back |
to the time of its inception, and will make no
pretensions to illustrate the arts of 1880. It
was not undertaken to illustrate the fine arts
of any period, but to commemorate the f aremost
man of all the ages. Indeed, it will date
back in its form and its proportions to a remote
antiquity. It is a most interesting fact communicated
to us in the letters,hereto appended,
of our accomplished American minister at
Rome, the Hon. George P. Marsh, as the result
of his own researches, that the proportions of
this monument as now designed, are precisely
those of all the best known ancient obelisks.
The height of those monuments is ascertained
bv him to have been uniformly and almost precisely
teu times the dimension of the base, and
this proportion has now been decided on for our
own monument to Washington, the measusementofthe
base being fifty-five feet, and the
projected elevation five hundred and fifty feet.
But without dwelling further on the subject of
the design, it seems to the undersigned sufficient
respectfully to suggest that the question
before Congress at this moment is, not whether
the original plans might not have been improved
to advantage, but whether this longdelaved
work shall be finished within any reasonable
period and at any estimable cost, or be
left still longer as a subject for competition
among designers and contractors?an eve-sore
at the capital, a vexation to Congfess and a reproach
to the country. By the adoption of the
recommendations ol the commissioners and the
engineer the work may be completed within
the next four years. The machinery for the
elevation of the stones has been most ingeniously
contrived, and is now almost in readiness
for action; and by the appropriation at
once of the sum now asked for, the marble for
the whole structure may be contracted for and
secured from a single quarry, and the danger
avoided of having marble of different shades
and qualities, which might seriously impair tiie
effect of the obelisk. The monument would thus
be completed with an assurance of that harmony
of color which is essential to its beauty.
The undersigned have a deep feeling that the
time has arrived lor finishing , this great work
according to the general design of those by whom
it was undertaken, and they have the fullest
confidence that such a course will commend itself
to the approbation of the whole country.
While the structure would make no appeal to a
close and critical inspection as a mere work of
art, it would give acrowiug finish to the grand
public buildings of the capital, would add a
unique feature to the surrounding landscape,
and would attract the admiring gaze ol the
most distant observers in the wide range over
which it would be visible. It would be eminently
a monument for the appreciation of the
many, if not of the few, and would thus verify
the designation, originally given to it. of'The
People's Monument to their most illustrious
Benefactor.'
A simple, sublime shaft, on a commanding
bank of the Potomac and within view of Mount
Vernon, resting on the very spot selected by
Washington himself for a monument of the
American revolution, and rising nearer to the
skies than any known monument on earth, will
be no unworthy.memorial. or inappropriate emblem,
of Ills own exalted character and pre-eminent
services. It will certainly need no elaborate
sculptureor ornamentation to impress upon
all who shall behold it, from generation to generation,
a becoming sense of the grandeur of his
career and of the undying veneration and gratitude
of the people of the United States."
MINISTER MARSH ON THE SUBJECT OF OBELISKS.
Accompanying this memorial were two
letters from Hon. George P. Marsh, our minister
to Rome, to Senator Edmunds. In the first,
dated February 9, 1879, Mr. Marsh said:
"By a letter from the sculptor Mead to Mrs.
Marsh, I understand that the main feature of
the Washington monument is to be an obelisk
of great height, surmounted by a colossal
statue, and with bas-reliefs at a suitable
height from the base. I believe I have not only
seen but sketched every existing genuine?that
is, Egyptian?obelisk, lor no other can fairly be
said to be genuine. The obelisk is not an arbitrary
structure which every one Is free to
erect with such form and proportions as suit
his taste and convenience, but its objects, form
and projx?rtions were fixed by the usage of
thousands of years; they satisfy every cultivated
eye, and I hold it an esthetical crime to
depart from them. In Its object the obelisk Is
monumental, its Inscriptions having reference
to and indicating what or whom it commemorates.
I do not think bas-reliets too great a
departure from the primitive character of the
inscriptions, because we can come no nearer an
alphabet answering the purpose.
The most important point is the form and
proportions of the structure, as to which the
modern builder of obelisks transgresses greatly.
The Egyptian obelisks do not, indeed, all conform
with mathematical exactness to their
own normal proportions, but (probably from
defects in the stone) frequently vary somewhat
from them. When truly fashioned, however,
they are more pleasing to the eye than when
deviating from the regular shape. The
obelisk consists: First, of a naked shaft,
with or wit jout inscription, the height ef which
Is ten times the width of its base, so that If the
base of the shaft is fifty feet square then the
height of the shaft must be five nundred feet.
For optical reasons (which cannot be considered
in the Washington Monument, It being too
late,) the faces of the shaft are slightly convex.
The dimensions of the shaft are reduced as It
rises, and in this point the ancient obelisks
vary more than any other, the top of the shaft
varying from two-thirds to three-quarters of the
linear measurement of the base. Hence, if the
base of the shaft (I do not mean of the pedestal
or plinth, If there is one) Is fifty feet square its
summit may be anywhere between thirty-three
and one-third and thirty-seven and one-half
feet square. The obelisks much reduoed are the
most graceful, but in this case the great height
will of itself reduce the apparent measurement,
so that perhaps thirty-five would net be too
much. But the shaft has already gone up so far
as to have settled those questions of form Irrevocably.
Second, of a pyrantidion or apex, the
form and proportions of which are constant.
The base of the pyramldlon is of exactly the
same dimensions as the summit of the shaft,
and unites with It directly without any break
(except, of course, one angle), and with no ledge,
molding or other disfigurement. The height of
the pyramldlon la equal to the length of a site
*
ofthebaseof the shaft, and therefore greater
than the side of it* own base.
There atv cases wberv t he hieroglyphics run
up one or more faces of the pyrnmiaion. but In
general these faces are perfectly plain,
l'ho Egyptians often covered the whole pyramidion
with a close y fitted ?riIt bronze cap.'the
effect of which must "have been magnificent. It
has been said that it sometimes surmount- j
ed by a gilt star, but I doubt this, for the easing
of the pyramidiou would of itself have much
the same effect.
The notion of spitting a statue on the sharp
point ot a pyramidion is supremely absurd. Not
less so is the substitution of a low hipped n>of
for au acute pyramidion, or the making of a ;
window in the face of the pyramidion o? of ;he
shaft, both of which atrocities wer?*eommitU d
in the Bunker Hill Monument. There will no
doubt be people who will be foolish enough to
insist on a peep-hole somewhere: and if they
must be gratified the window should be of the
exact form inid size of one of the stones, und
provided with a dose-fitting shutter colored exactly
like the stone, so that when shut It would
be nearly or quite imperceptible from below."
The second letter, dated April *25. lsTt*, said:
"I am much obliged to you tor yours of April 8.
with Gen. Casey's letter" and the two Congressional
documents. 1 am agreeably surprised to
learn from Gen. Casey's Interesting letter that
the normal proportions have l>een so ne;rrly observed
hitherto in the construction of the obelisk.
Intact, It l>eiiig difficult to obtain <uch
vast masses of granite rock, even In the quarries
of Syene, eutirely free from flaws, the
Egyptians were very "often obliged to depart
more or less from the proportions most sutlsta<story
to the eye, and the Washington obelisk
conforms so nearly to those proportions, except
iu two points, that it i> hardly subject to criticism.
rhese |>oinls are, the "batter, which Is :
more rapid than in any obelisk known to me.
and the pyramidion. Perhaps the designer
adopted the proportions from considerations of
stability, as a summit considerably le?s than
the base would give greater securitv, and wh?*n
the dimensions are all so great differences of
proportion are less appreciable.
As to the form ana proportion of the pyramidion,
toe existing obelisks are more uuiform
than in the measurement of the shaft, and I
1 think that, not merely on the ground of prei
cedent but on that of taste. it would be by ail
means advisable to give to the pyramidion of
the Washington obelisk a height of not less
than tiftv feet. In any case. If the height of the
pyramidion Is not greater than the side of its
base, the summit will have a truncated shape
quiteout of harmony with the soarimj charac- . ,
ter of the structure.
I Infer from Gen. Casey's drawings, accompanying
Mr. Coreoran's letter, that the plan of a
sort of temple-like exeresenee from the base?a
highly objectiortubie feature?is abandoned. It
Is curious that we do not know precisely what 1 t
the Egyptian form of the base was. Some authorities
state It was a die of larger dimensions
than the shaft,and with side- battering at the ,
same rate as t he shaft, but I do not findsati ?
factory evidence that this was by any means > ,
universal, though it would certainly lie an aj?- j
propriate and harmonious form. t>f course any '
desirable base can hi- constructed around the | '
shaft. There are obelisks the surface <>t whieh '
indicates that they were stuccoed, and this su-_i- i '
g,-sts that if the shaft of the Wasliit'g;??n <>Ik.*- j
lisk shall, from time or difference ot material, .
bo found parti-colored, surface uniformity of
tone may be obtained by the same pru^ -s.
\V*e have no knowledge of any Egyptian oSelisk
much exceeding one hundred feet in lit igiit.
though some ancient witters speak <>f such '
monuments of considerable greater di mens. 'tis.
Hie extreme ditliculty ot obtaining iii<>n>>liths
exceeding one hundred feet renders it probable
that the measurements of the authorities refer- '
rid to were mere vague estimates rather than j
ascertained dimensions." * * *
MR. WINTIIKOl' S VIEWS ON THE SrRTF.CT.
The following Interesting letter fr> in Robert
C. Wlnthrop to Senator Morrill, dated August L
18 < 8, was also sent to Congress: "Your favor of
the *2<)th ultimo reached ine yesterday. I thank
you for sending me the copy of Mr. Storv's letter,
which I have read with great Interest. 1 am
only a second vice president of the Monument
association, and am not included In the commission
for completing the work. I had no part
or lot in the original design of the monument.
John Quiney Adams had been relied ujkjii to !
| deliver the oration at the laying of the corner
stone, Ou his death, in 1848. 1 was called on.
as speaker of the House, to take his place, and
I have occasionally, since then, been iti-tru- j
mental in raiding funds for the prosecution of
the structure. As an original question. I m.ght
have desired a different design; and I had no
small part 1 n inducing the building committee,
many years ago, to omit the pantheon at the
base, and to confine the design to a simple
obelisk. After that was arranged,and when the
monument had reached so considerable a
height, I was very averse to changing the plan.
A whole generation of men, women and children
had contributed, in larger or smaller
sums, to this particular monument; and states,
cities and foreign nations had sent stones for
its completion.
To tear it all down, with a view to Improve
the design, was abhorrent tome. Story called
to see me when he was in Boston, and I told,
him that, so far as I was concerned, my tirst
wish was to finish the monument as a simple !
obelisk; but that. If a change was unavoidable, t
owing to any insecurity of the foundations, his j
idea of turning it into an ornamental Lombard
tower was the best plan I had seen suggested.
His letter Increases my appreciation of his design,
though I am afraid that it would Involve
an amount of money and time which
would postpone the completion for a-.other
generation. As It Is. I understand the whole j
question to be settled, and that the commissioners
are now going on to strengthen the
foundations and carry up the obelisk to 485
feet. I heartily hope that this is so,and that on
the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the
birthday of Washington, in IfeSJ. les> than four
years hence, we may see and celebrate the accomplishment
of this long-deferred work. It 1
: live to that day, I Mill come on and hear you
1 deliver the oration.
1 aui aware that what is called 'advanced
i art' looks with scorn on anything so simple
j and bald as an obelisk, more especially when it
is made up of a thou-and pieces, instead of i
I beluga monolith shaft. Yet the Bunker Hill
; monument, of which the design was furnished
! by one of our earliest and t>e-t artists. Hoi at io
Greenough, Is one of these composite obelisks,
and Webster was proud to apostrophize it as
the true orator of the day,' when tie was pronouncing
his own Incomparable oration.
I recall other obelisks, at home and abroad,
which tell their story most Impressively; und
when I look around to see what'advanced art*
has done Tor us and done for itself in the
myriad soldiers' monuments which have Iven
recently erected, I fall back on the simple shaft
as at least not Inferior to any one of them in
effect, and as free from anything tinsel or
tawdry.
A grand arch, which I believe you once proposed,
would he a noble monument of our
Union, and might well be the subject of independent
consideration in season lor the cetitennia'
of the organization of the government in
1889. I have repeatedly urged such an arch as
commemorative of our Constitutional Union, in
Boston. But it would have still greater pr<?priety
in Washington. I cannot help hoping,
however, that It will be erected with new stones
and without any disturbance of the Washington
obelisk."
THE MONUMENT AS COMPLETED
under Col. Casey's supervision is true to the
proportions laid down by Mr. Marsh as requl- 1
site to a perfect obelisk. The structure is 555
feet 5Va Inches in height, the shaft being 55 feet
l\a inches square at the base, 555 feet 5^ Inches
high and 34 feet oh* inches square at the top.
The pyramidion or apex is 55 feet high. The <
batter of the sides is .247 of an inch to one foot
i in rise. No design has yet been adopted for the '
base of the monument. Upon this subject CoL. <
Casey says in his last report: I
"Two methods of treating the terrace at the ,
foot of the shaft have been suggested. One
method proposes to erect a retaining wall of the
most rare and beautiful marbles around the <
terrace, which wail is to be surmounted with a 1
marble balustrade and ornamented with i
bronzes and mosaics. At the center of each .
face is to be a set of broad, double stairs, extend- 1
lng from the general level of the site to the <
esplanade, which Is to be paved in marble tiles !
of approved patterns, the whole work to be de- J
signed in all its details by the first artists and J
architects. The other method of finish pro- I
| posed is to fill earth about the present terrace
And Joining with it, and to extend this filling 1
I so far from the monument m to fade the slopes '
of the embankment gradually into the surrounding
surfaces, ana this to be done with so 1
much skill as to give to the mound an appearance
as far from artificial as possible. This 1
mound Is then to be planted with trees and
shrubs, paths are to be laid out, a pavement to '
be put Around the foot of the monument, and i
fttr enough from it to prevent the storm waters 1
from washing out the filling; and a keeper's
lodge la also to be built near the work to ac- <
commodate the watchmen and visitors. The 1
amount of filling required for this work is 1
abbut 375,000 cublo yards." J
The "peep holes," execrated by Mr. Marsh,
were left in the monument, but an Ingenious de- i
sign has been adopted for providing them with <
marble shutters, closing from within, so t
that when ohmd the observer oau see <
no break anywhere in the hft'-nior.v of
whit* marble. Col. Casey *UgM?u 'that A
the two doorways leading Into The monu- a km
ment should bo cl .*ed by bull dine thrm ' 1
up with thin marble walls the stone to match
w ith the boud and material ol the faetnu. Entrants
to the floor of ihe shait should then be
made through short ttfnentb tlw?
race,and a flight of stej* running up under the /i
closures o: the doorway*. This closing of the /I
doors wiii present the structure to the eye and ffl
mind as an obelisk pur* and simple, and will fl
undoubtedly ?<ld to the diirnitv and tmpree- I I
siveness ol the structure. { I
THE W4KOXN %>n THE CORSE*. 1
wo*r. |
The Mory Told by the KrroHi of the
Grand l.odce? Mnvino ami HnMntr
Bodies thnt Took Part In the Cerenso* #
nie* in 1?4&.
t 1
According to the records of the Moat Worshipful
Gruud Lodge of Masons ol the District ol (
lnnthia. at a meeting of that IhhIjf May ad,
1S4K, at the hall corner of loth aud E streets, a
letter was received from Archibald Henderson,
ot the Monument society, enclosing resolution*
a?k?pted by thecommitteeappointed to arrange
for t iii1 laying of the earner-stone. Inviting the
(. rand Lodge of Masons and the Grand Podge
of Odd Fellows' in the District to attend the
ceremony on the 4th of July following, and
requesting the Grand Masters to invite such
other grand and subordinate lodges as they
deemed advisable.
Resolutions were at once adopted, aoceptlnc
the in\ l.... iouoi the Monument association, and
re ,i" the M. \V. Grand Master t<> invito
LV." V i^Hlge ot Masons in the I'nited
* \\ 2th which this <?ruu<J wa* iu o>ri
|Mtnd<'tice to attend and assist In the vereuio- ?
in. ?; requesting the sultordiuate lode's in the ^
l'istrict. theFncamp'iuent ot Knights iVmplar*
.o,.i ,ih- i,,. ,,i Arclj Chapters to appear in full
r-g:>.ia. and empowering the M. XV. (.rand
Master to consult with the Monument ns*ocla- A
tion relative to the laying of the corner-stone, J
una make such arrangements a? may seem
pio|H-r tor the occasion. The Matrons at once set
iUMiUT the n?ve--ar>- preparations tor the event,
l it Grand Master appointed Hrothers John B. *
J'l .Ke, David Mi-Comb, .s.York Atlee. A. E Ella- \
"" V '* * i*reston, H. c. Wiilianis. B. l iwhur
iind \\ m. ( rutzieklt as a committee, which
raised (hi? fuuds to defray expeiiseH.
nil A LEX AN OKI A WASIIINOTOIC LODGE.
At a subsequent meet. 14; of ;he Grand Lodge
ft correspondence was read between the comuuttee
01 arrangements of Alexandria Washlngin.:ton
Lodge No. 22, (of which Brother George
M asiilngton was the R. W. master,) the agent
i?f the National Washington monument a**
elation, and the M. W. Grand Master of this
brand l<odge; the object of the former t>?-*ng to
1 tuna.; in\ 1 tat ion to assist : 11 the ceremonies
?i the Ith July next: the M W.Grand Master
1 t'onipily gave the silin*. Oceiiiing that such lasiI'.'W1
'It- <,x>,r which the "ilhiktrou*
i.iotner \\ a>hingtou presided was particularly
uppivpuate.
1 lie worthy masters of each of the sul?ordinate
1 u-:'-were appointed a committee to arrange
to I, eeive the ditlereiit State grand lodge-. on 4
May loth. 1*4*, Grand Master B. B. French
leceivcd itKiai Klisha Whittles, y, ot the Mouumcn,
association, a letter transmitting a copy
oi the pr?iceedings of the board ol managers. aAsaiuiin:
toth.'C, and Ixvlco ui the lustrict the
'\vv,,,f ""the corner-stone of the monument,
lne letter -aid: "In the ceremony ot laying
the coriier-?ti ..< ot a stupend. u>- nionum. tit to
express a nation s gratitude and to p. nitrate
tiie \ irtues and tin r <. - < t the great* -t nutat<T
of his, cr any ot her i^e 4 taking him ail in
il . . J'11 will work with lie same t'M?|s with
whM li he l.i?K>red, in a s.ieh'tyoi which he w as
t lie head and ornament. Tins distinction has
never bc*en enjoyed by prince or potentate."
THE FKEDERICKsnrRO LoDOE.
A communication was r.'iul at the iue?'tingof
the Grand Lodge, June 28. 1 >48, from Fred
tricksbunr l.odi{e. No. 4. saying: "The members
I.1 Fredericksburg I.odge, No. 4. F. A. A. M
have a in contemplation to visit Washington
and bej>r??cnt at the laying of t he coruer-stoiw *
ot the \\ ashiugton National monument, on the *
4th proximo. Tills lodge haa the honor of
h;i\ii initiated, uiid rmis^Ml
a-hin^tou, as our records, still In existence, m
abundantly show, Ac.'*
A special committee wa? appointed to walton 1
this lodge when it arrived.
At this meeting also a resolution of Bro. 8. 4
? o'ke Atl.ee was adopted, that "the Alexandria
? a?tnngtoll Lodg?' be requested to loan to this
'.rand Lod c, for the u-e of it- M. W. Grand '
Master 011 the 4th uly next, t he sasli and apron
once iK-loii^ing to J..other George Washington,
now in the custody of said l**dgi*, together with
the chair which was occupied by him u-s its H_
\\ . Master, the same being designed for the
orator ol the dav on the said 4th July."
Bros. At Lee, McOmih and J. I>. Thomas we?*
appointed a committee to wait 011 Alexandria
U ashingtou Lodgvand receive the articlek and
u:ter u-e to salely return them.
A resolution was also adopted that Potomac
I^odge, oj (Georgetown, be requested to loan tothe
Grand Lodge the gavel used by 1 hothei Washington
on the occasion oi his laying the cornerstone
ol the ( apltoL, tor the use ot the M. W.
Grand Master in laying the corner-stone of the
nn nmnent.
Brothers Wimsatt. Powell, McComb, F.liason,
Five, Hooe, Crutzleldt and Hancock were ai>pijinted
a committee to collect funds for a collation
lor the accommodation of the Grand Lodge
and its visiting brethreu on the oceasiou ; also
to cover the cost for music on that occasion.
THE CEKEMOXIBK OK JVI.Y 4m.
Tuesday, July 4th. the Grand Lodtre met at
8 o'clock in the morning at Masonic hall, corner
E and loth streets, that being the day set
apart for the laying of the comer-stone of the
National Washington monument. There were
present B. B. French, M. W. Grand Master:
Jas. Nokes, 11. W ,1>.G. Master; Oliver Whittlesey.
It.W.D. ??. Senior Warden: I?a\ld McComb,
K. u. G. Junior Warden; Ciiarles s. Fralley
K. W.G. secretary; Koht. Clarke, H.W.G. Treasl
urer; A. Hancock, W. G. >*eiilor Deacon; W.
Patton, W.G. Junior Deacon; James B.Thomas,
JJ G. Maiktial; \ . I'. Page, W. G. Hword-bearer;
t rias Hurst, W. G. Pursuivant; and L. A.
Adams. W. G. Tyler; also P. G. Ma-tem C. T.
Coote, Rol?ert Key worth and Wm. B. Mag ruder;
the officers and members of Alexandria
Washington Lodge, No. 22, of Virginia;
the officers and members of Fredericksburg
Lodge, No. 4, of Virginia; representatives of the I
Grand Lodges of Massachusetts, Rhode Island,
Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, *
South Carolina. Georgia and Texas; Brother
Joseph K. stapleton, M. F. H. P. of the Grand
Royal Arch Chapter ol Maryland, and Brother <
Joslas Sturgis, ot Boston, the latter of whom appeared
in the regalia formerly belonging to
Brother Gen. Warren, of the revolution.
There was also present a very large assemblage
of the brethren of the different subordi- ?
nate lodges In this city. ^
The li. W. master ot Fredericksburg Lodge,
No. 4, exhibited the ancient records of said
lodge, showing the initiation by that lodge of
George Washington on the 4ih of November,
1752; of his passing, on the 3d of March, 1753,
and of his being raised In said lodge, on the
4t!i of August. 1753.
The M. W. G. master having made the necessary
appointments of bearers of the great and
lesser lights, of the corn, wine, oil, Ac.. 4c., directed
the W. G. marshal, James B. Thomas,
to form the procession.
Brothers Johnson and Raub appeared In the
procession as grand stewards, with white rods;
Brother N. Mullikin, with cornucopia: Brothers
Lamb and Wimsatt, the former bearing the
vase with wine, the other that with oil; H.W.G.
T. Robert Clarke and R. W. G. Sec retary C. S.
Frailey; Brother McGhee, bearing a lesser light;
the great light, borne by Brother Patton, supported
by two stewards: Brothers Dulin and
Hail, boa ring two lesser lights: Brother J. Nokes
us R.W.G.S.W.. and Brother McComb, R.W.G.
junior warden; R.W.P.D.G.M. H. B. Roberson
as R.W.D.G. master. Brother S.Yorke AtLee, K.
W. master of Federal Lodge, No. 1, carrying the
book of constitutions on a velvet cushion;
Brothers Upshur and Palmer, as W. G. $. and J.
deacons, with black rods. M. W. Grand Master
B. B. French was supported on the right and
left by the M. W. P. G. Masters Mag ruder and
Keywort.li; Brother Y. P. Page, W. G. S. ?<earer,
and Brother U. Hurst, W. G. pursuivant; M. E.
II. P. Joseph K. Stapleton rode in a carriaire
w ith M. \\ . P. G. M. Coote and R W. P. D/g.
Master Robert B. Boyd. The procession formed
an E street, the right resting on 1 Oth street,and
then moved down loth to D until It Joined the
rest of the procession, composed of the military,
the fire companies, the order of Odd Fellows,
temperance and other associations taking po?l- ,
tion on the extreme left, when It lollowea the
who'.e body which moved down Louisiana ave- *
uue to 3d street, down 3d to Pennsvlvanla avenue,
up the latter avenue to 14th street, down h
14tli street to the site selected for the monu- "
tnent. where the ceremonies took place.
After the ceremonies the Masonic brethren
repaired in a body to Apollo hall, where a collation
had been preparedly the committee.
THE WASHINGTON M A SONIC RELICS.
Regalia Worn by the Ffrat President?
The Gavel t'wed In Tsdsy'i Ceremonies.
The gavel used by Grand Master M. M. Parker
In the Masonic ceremonies to-day is the same
used by the late B. B. French in laying the
eorner-stone of the monument, and before that
by George Washington, In laying the oorneritone
of the Washington Capitol. The gavel
was made expressly lor Gen. Washington when
tie laid the oorner-etone of the U. 8. Capitol September
18th, 1793. After laying the stone
Washington presented the gavel to Valentine 4
Rentzel, W. M., for Columbia Lodge, No. 9,
under the Jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of
Marvland at that time, and now Potomac
Lodge, No. 5, of Georgetown, under the Grand
Lodge of the District of Columbia. The gavel
has been used In laying the corner-stones of
early ali the churches and publio buildings of
the District and in many of the statea. It wm
used also iu the Masonic ceremonies attending
the inauguration of the work of constructing t
the Baltimore and Ohio railroad.
Fredericksburg Lodge brings with It the Bible
nn which Washington took the first vow> of
Masonry and the constitution which he signeu.
I'he Alexandria Washington Lodge poasasaes
many highly priced relies of Washington. The
Lodge has brought to this city the Bible whleh .
was used in that lodge by Washington as wor- M
shipful master and the apron worn by him on fl
Masonic occasions, and which was worked for
bim by Mme. Lafayette. St. John's Lodge, ot
New York, brings the Bible on which Washington
took the first oath of offiee as President of
the United States, in New York citv, and the
rand Lodge of Massachusetts brings a golden
jto in which a lock of Waahingtoc s hau: waa
lsposited during his Ufe ttae.