Page images
PDF
EPUB
[graphic][subsumed][subsumed][merged small]

WASHINGTON MONUMENT,

AS PROJECTED BY THE

Order of United Americans;

To be Erected in the Grounds of the Monument Cemetery Association of Kings County, N. Y.

149

(Minard Lafeber, Architect.-Engraved expressly for TWhitney's Republic.)

141

FOR DESCRIPTION SEE PAGE 266.

of any age, in point of architectural design and has met with a severe loss in the death of details.

The plan is in the form of a Greek cross, having on the first floor four porticoes, four vestibules, eight rooms of suitable dimensions for a keeper's accommodation, the safe keeping of records, &c.; four grand stairways, ascending to the galleries; and a chapel, thirty-eight feet square, in which a statue of Washingon is to be placed on a pedestal,

which bears an historical account of the edifice. The

second floor contains four corridors, four side-rooms, and stairs to ascend to the floor directly over the dome of the chapel. The first and second stories of the chapel will afford ample room to accommodate eight hundred persons, when standing.

The summit or highest point of the monument will be reached by broad stairways of straight flights, each extending nearly across a side; and at the top of each flight will be arranged a gallery, extending across one entire side, and supplied with comfortable sittings, from which the spectator may at his ease view the surrounding objects of interest. This arrangement will continue from the floor over the dome of the chapel to the highest point of the shaft. The stairs will ascend with steps sixteen inches wide by six inches high, making the grade agreeable and easy.

Chancellor Horace Beals. The sad event occurred after a very brief illness of only two or three days. The Chapter, to which he had been attached ever since its organization, and for the welfare of which he has labored faithfully, paid a final tribute to his remains on in full regalia, with the usual badges of mourn Tuesday, April 13th, and attended his funeral ing, when the funeral service of our Order was performed. The remains of the deceased brother were placed in the vault of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Harlem, to await the disposition of his relatives, who reside, we believe, in Ohio. Although far from his kindred, it is gratifying to state that our brother received during life, and his remains after his decease, every attention and kindness that could have been conferred by those nearest and dearest.

THE UNITED DAUGHTERS OF AMERICA.-A short time since, the Chancery of this associacommunication to the Chancery of the O.U.A, tion of patriotic American ladies directed a soliciting, among other matters, an expression. of the views of the latter as to the utility of the former, and asking such encouragement and countenance as may be deemed appro-

The area of the plan, at the extreme dimensions of the arms of the cross, is ninety feet, making the square of the monument at the base ninety feet, resting on a footing of concrete one hundred feet square, covering the entire area, three feet thick.priate. This communication (a frank and On the top of the concrete, and under the body of the shaft, will be constructed an inverted groinarch of hard bricks, twenty inches thick; and the openings in all the walls forming the several compartments outside the shaft shall have inverted arches, corresponding with the several thicknesses of the walls. This construction will render the entire edifice certainly secure against settlement and injury consequent therefrom.

The height of the shaft will reach three hundred and fifty feet from the ground, the roof being composed of thick glass set in an iron frame work, the interior of the upper room of the shaft to be twenty feet square.

It is further proposed that, as the site selected is one of the most eligible on the American coast, being close at the entrance of the great commercial port of the Union, the association will, if desirable, maintain, at the cost of the United States government, a beacon-light at the top of the monument, so constructed as not to alter or in any way mar the beauty of the original design.

[blocks in formation]

well-written paper) was referred to a special
committee, consisting of Chancellors Boyce,
Page, and Bennett, who, at the meeting of
Chancery held on Monday evening, April
12th, submitted the following report and reso--
lutions on the subject, which were adopted:
"NEW-YORK, April 12, 1852.
"To the Hon. the Chancery Order of United Ame--
ricans, State of New-York:

"The undersigned committee, to whom was referred a communication from the Chancery of the UNITED DAUGHTERS OF AMERICA,' would respect-fully report that they have given attention to the subject-matter of the said communication, and concur in the opinion that a more active and systematic cooperation of the two associations would tend materially to enhance the utility of each, and further the noble and patriotic objects for which they were severally designed.

"With this view of the subject, the committee recommend that this Chancery, in its capacity as Arch-Chancery of the Order of United Americans, do, by official act, recognize, in the Order of United Daughters of America, an association coincident to its own, extending to it and over it such protection, countenance, and encouragement, as may be deemed essential to its continued prosperity and usefulness.

"The influence that woman is capable of exer

cising upon society, in her various relations of mother, wife, and sister, is too well understood to need illustration in this report. To her is intrusted the conformation of the youthful mind; and in our happy and free land, where each man takes a part in the affairs of state, it is essential that the young should be early imbued with all the elements of true patriotism, and with a firm sense of duty to their country and its blessed system of government. Neglect of this teaching during past generations has resulted in a supineness of character among our people, which already threatens destruction to those elements of popular and individual happiness, which it has been the peculiar privilege of the citizens of our republic thus far to enjoy.

"Your committee believe that an association of American ladies like that of the UNITEd DaughTERS OF AMERICA' is eminently calculated to restore to the up-growing and future generations of our land that patriotic instruction which, at a future day, may prove the only reliable bulwark of their country's freedom and greatness.

"The following resolutions are therefore offered for adoption:

"Resolved: That this Chancery regards with earnest solicitude and sympathy the organization of American ladies, known as the Order of United Daughters of America,' believing that, through the influence which such an organization is capable of exercising upon the future of our country, great good may result in the maintenance of the true principles of American republicanism.

"Resolved: That a copy of this report and these resolutions be forthwith transmitted to the Chancery of the United Daughters of America."

CALIFORNIA.-Eureka Chapter at San Francisco is, we learn, in a highly prosperous condition, and the members in good spirits, with a determination to keep the ball rolling. By the following extract from a letter just received from Chancellor Bookstaver, under date March 1st, it will be seen that California is in a fair way of establishing the constitutional number of Chapters for the formation of a State Chancery:

"Our Chapter is now getting large, and, for the purpose of extending the order, we are about to form a new Chapter in this city; and we hope ere long to establish one at Sacramento, one at Stockton, and one at Marysville. We aim to form a Chancery in this State within a year; and if we fail in the effort, it will not be for want of exertion."

The Chapter celebrated the late anniversary of Washington's birth-day in a most spirited Brother Bookstaver, speaking of

manner.

that occasion, says:

"We hope another year to be able to say, that we have followed the injunction of Washington, and placed none but Americans on guard. The anniversary of his birth-day was celebrated by us, and through our exertions solely, in a manner

honorable alike to our Order and our city. Business was entirely suspended. Having determined to get up a procession, we invited others to unite with us, and the call was promptly responded to by all except the Fire Department, who paraded alone. Our procession was more than a mile in length; ahead of any thing ever before witnessed on the shores of the Pacific."

This is certainly cheering news from the "Gold Region;" and we hope the time is not far distant, when the outspreading arins of EUREKA on the Pacific will meet the children of ALPHA on the Atlantic, and shake hands in the great basin of the middle continent-the valleys of the Colorado, the Missouri, and the Mississippi.

CLUBS OF COUNTRY CHAPTERS.-We are informed of three different clubs of subscribers in Chapters out of the city, the names of which have not yet been placed in our possession. The parties having charge of them are, perhaps, not aware that by such delay they are responsible for an act of double injustice; first, to those who wish to receive the Republic; and, second, to ourself, who would be benefited by the amount of the subscriptions. Subscribers in the country who have not yet been served, may attribute it to this cause. We may as well mention here, that there are yet a great many subscribers, in town and out of town, who have been served, yet who have not remembered our necessities. The publication of our magazine is with us a cash transaction; we pay as we go, and want money to do it with. Please to be just. Five months' credit on a cash agreement is, we think, pretty liberal.

NEW-YORK, April 20, 1852. BROTHER WHITNEY:-A question has arisen in our Chapter on which there is a diversity of opinion. Please give us yours. It is thus:-A member feeling aggrieved by the action of the Chapter, appeals to the G. S., and the G. S. decides that the Chapter has proceeded illegally, and restores the brother to his position, in good standing. If the G. S. is wrong in point of law, is it in the power of the Chapter to adopt or reject that decision?

ANSWER.

The Chapter has no power either to adopt or reject a decision of the G. S. So far as the first appeal is concerned, the decision is final, and must be respected. It is always presumed that an executive officer is impartial, and his decision should be so treated; but if it is apparent that he has formed a wrong

[blocks in formation]

TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN.

This certifies that Brother - whose name is written on this card in his own proper handwriting, was a member in good standing of Chapter, No. ——, O. U. A.; and having complied with all the requirements, as prescribed by the Constitution of the Order and the By-Laws of this Chapter this card of withdrawal has been granted to him at his request.

tection of the Order.

We know it is understood throughout our Order that such men are to be shunned, and some who have applied for admission have been already rejected: yet there can be no harm in renewing the caution to beware of them. Their presence in our councils can only be productive of discord, and might, perhaps, eventuate in diverting the course of the Order from its legitimate duties. They should be informed, once for all, that the Order cannot and will not be made a stepping-stone to the ambition of any man or set of men, of any party or faction; and that it is able and willing to punish, not only the outside demagogue, but any one of its own members who shall dare attempt to pervert its influences to his own uses. The best course is to have nothing to do with such men, and the way to arrive at that is to keep them out of our Chapters.

FRANKLIN CHAPTER.--The members of this energetic Chapter had the pleasure of listening to a most interesting address from Chancellor Welch, of Putnam Chapter, on Friday evening, April 16, at their hall, corner of Grand and Ludlow streets, the subject being, "The influence of our republic on the desti

We recommend him to the friendship and pro- nies of Europe, and the influences operating in America opposed to Republicanism." The subject was handled by the speaker in his usual unostentatious manner, but truthfully of our Chapter, this — day and cogently, and the address was received with loud demonstrations of approval. - A.D. 18-, in the

[SEAL OF THE CHAPTER.]

Signature.

In witness whereof, we have
hereunto subscribed our
names, and affixed the seal

of

city of

Sachem.
C. of the C.

A WORD OF CAUTION.-We may as well speak plain upon a subject of vast importance, on which depends in some degree the purity, harmony, and efficiency of our Order. The old hack politicians, who are ever ready for preferment, and ever eager to seize upon whatever may seem to command influence, have noticed our rapid and solid increase of numbers; and having gotten into their heads the idea that the Order of United Americans can be made to serve their corrupt aspirations, are beginning to exhibit strong symptoms of conversion, and profess the most earnest sympathy with our principles and objects. They have sudddenly become whole-hearted Americans, and offer themselves candidates for the honors of membership.

A NEW CHAPTER is now being organized, to be located in the Second Ward of this city, and the application for its charter may be expected at the next meeting of Chancery. This is well; one, two, or three chapters in the lower portion of the city are needed, and, when organized, cannot fail to exercise a salutary influence.

THE UNITED DAUGHTERS. New-York Chapter, No. 7, of the United Daughters of America, held their third anniversary at the Apollo, on the evening of the 8th of April. After the usual ceremonies, including addresses, reading of the annual report, &c., the ladies of the Chapter with their guests formed a cotillion-party in the ball-room, and enjoyed themselves to a late hour. The report of the business affairs of the Chapter exhibits continued prosperity, and it is very

« PreviousContinue »