Turning the Washington Monument Inside Out

Turning the Washington Monument Inside Out By Robert Sparks Walker LANDING at the base of the Washington Monument on a hot morning in Aug- ust, I thought my visit was surely ruined upon learning that the elevator was temporarily out of business, and that to reach the top I would have to go on foot. However, being accustomed to hiking on level ground, also to climbing mountains, I set out on this task with kodak and coat under my arm. But misfortunes nearly always have their com- pensations. I knew that at each landing were memorial stones, presented by various states and organizations, for I had on pre- vious trips curiously peeped from the moving elevator, and caught sight of them here and there as we moved slowly up or down. But they meant little to me, because I had had no oppor- tunity of reading and studying them carefully. Before reaching the thirtieth-foot landing, I saw that this monument was like a well filled nut, and that the tens of thou- sands of people who visit it annually are passing the kernels by unnoticed; and I made up my mind to turn this huge structure inside out as a penalty for being forced to ascend it on foot on a very hot summer day. On the 30th-foot landing are seven memorial stones. The first, inscribed "Maine," I thought is very fitting, since Maine is our remotest northeastern state. Delaware comes second with this inscription, "First to Adopt. Will Be the Last to Desert the Con- stitution, 1849." Arkansas claims the third, and the fourth is a contribution from the Little Falls Quarry of D. C. The fifth was The Washington Monument

1026 IMPROVEMENT ERA presented by the Franklin Fire Co., of Washington, D. C, with this slogan inscribed, "We strive to save." A good motto for every American! The sixth was presented by the National Greys, of Washington, D. C, while the seventh says: "Presented by George Watterston, Secretary Washington National Monument Society, as a testimonial of His Gratitude and Veneration, A. D. 1849." By this time, I was deeply interested, for, while enjoying the great outdoors we find sermons in running brooks, in trees and stones, here were sermons literally carved in stone by the hands of men. At the 40th landing, stone No. 1 is inscribed, "Nashville, Tennessee." That stone attracted my attention, for it came from the capital of my home state. No. 2 is credited to the state of Louisiana with this declaration, "Ever faithful to the Constitution and the Union." No. 3, from Alabama, says, "A Union of Equality Adjusted by the Constitution." No. 4 was presented by the Ger- man Benevolent Society of Washington, D. C, with this tribute, "As a memento of the veneration of its members for the 'Father of his country.' " No. 5, from the Association of Journeymen Stone Cutters of Philadelphia, "United We Stand." No. 6 was presented by the Columbia Typographical Society, "As a memento of the veneration of its members for the 'Father of his country.' ' On the 50th-foot landing: No. 1, from Indiana, says, "Knows No North, No South, Nothing but the Union." No. 2, "State of Georgia. The Union as it was. The Constitution as it is." No. 3, from Illinois, declares, "State Sovereignity, National Union." No. 4 is from the Washington Naval Lodge, No. 5 from the Grand Lodge of Masons, D. C, "Our Brother George Washington." No. 6 represents the Washington Light Infantry. The 60th-foot landing has a stone from South Carolina, one from New Hampshire, one from Florida, and one from West- moreland county, Virginia, inscribed, "The Birth Place of Wash- ington." The fifth stone, from the I. O. O. F. Grand Lodge of the Odd Fellows of the state of N. J., has this inspiring motto, "We command you to visit the sick, relieve the distressed, bury the dead, and educate the orphans." The sixth stone is inscribed, "Presented by Anacostia Tribe, No. 3, I. O. R. M., D. C, on the 3rd Sun of the 3 x 7 Suns Worm Moon G. S. 5610." The 70th-foot landing has a stone from New Jersey, one from Massachussetts, one from Connecticut, one from "Grand Di- vision, S. T., North Carolina. Love, Purity, Fidelity," one from the "United Sons of America, Pennsylvania," and a stone

TURNING THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT INSIDE OUT 1027 from the Grand Divisions, Sons of Temperance, State of Virginia, ] 850, "Hand in hand. Union." No. 1 on the 80th-foot landing says, "Virginia Who Gave Washington to America Gives this Granite for His Monument." No. 2, "The City of Washington to Its Founder." No. 3, "Mary- land. The Memorial of Her Regard for the Father of His Country and of Her Cordial, Habitual and Immovable Attachment to the American Union." The fourth stone is from the Invincible Fire Co., Cincinnati, O., the fifth from "R. W. Grand Lodge of I. O. O. F., Indiana. In God We Trust, Constitutional Liberty, F. L. T. The Earth for Its Domain and Eternity for Its Duration." The sixth stone says, "To George Washington by the Maryland Pilgrims As- sociation. Organized, Balto, 1847." On the 90th-foot landing, the first stone I read bore this in- scription: "The Tribute of Missouri to the Memory of Washington and a Pledge of Her Fidelity to the Union of the States." Another stone says, "The State of Ohio. The Memory of Washington and the Union of the States. Sunte Perpetua." A third one reads, "The State of Mississippi to the Father of His Country, A. D. 1850." The fourth stone is from Little Rock. Arkansas. The fifth from the Odd Fellows of Ohio, and the sixth is from the Mechanics of Raleigh, N. C. On the lOOth-foot landing, Wisconsin claims the first stone met, while North Carolina has one inscribed, "Declaration of In- dependence. Mecklenburg, May, 1775. 'Constitution.' " The third says, " 'Hope, Rhode Island.' ' The Grand Lodge, I. O. O. F. of Virginia has one, and the fifth one is inscribed, "From the home of Knox by citizens of Thomaston, Maine," while the sixth stone is inscribed, "To the Father of His Country. Presented by the Inde- pendent Order of United Brothers of the State of Maryland, A. D. 1851." On the HOth-foot landing the first stone reads, "Nov. 12, 1 852. From the Postmasters and Assistant Postmasters of the State of Indiana. Dedicated to the Washington Monument, Washington. May His Principles be Distributed Broadcast Over the Land." Iowa certainly had a Psalmist, for the second stone is inscribed, "Iowa. Her Affections, Like the Rivers of Her Borders, flow to an Inseparable Union." The Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New York is credited with a stone, and the fourth one reads, "By the Grand Lodge of Kentucky to the Memory of Washington, the Christian Mason." No. 5 simply says, "Peter Force." The sixth stone is from the Grand Lodge of Ohio. On the 120th-foot landing the first stone encountered reads,

1028 IMPROVEMENT ERA "From the City of Frederick, Md." The next, from California, makes pleasing reading: "California, Youngest Sister of the Union, Brings Her Golden Tribute to the Memory of Its Father." The third stone is from "The City of Roxbury, Mass. The birthplace of Gen. Joseph Warren." The fourth is from "S. of T. R. I.," whatever that means. The fifth stone is from various I. O. of O. F. Lodges, Ger- mantown, Pa., and the sixth stone is from "Patmos Lodge No. 20, iMasons, Ellicott Mills, Md." The 130th-foot landing has first stone credited to "I. O. O. F., Mass." The second stone, "American Whig Society, College of N. J., Princeton. A tribute to Washington." The third stone, "Corpora- tion of the City of New York, 1852." The fourth stone is from "American Institute of the City of New York," the fifth, "Union Society, Hillsborough, N. C," the sixth from the Sons of Temper- ance, State of Connecticut. The seventh stone reads, "From the Alumni of Washington College, at Lexington, Va. The Only College Endowed by the Father of His Country." Another stone is inscribed, "Oakland College, Miss., 1851." The ninth stone is from the Masons of Maryland, the tenth from Washington Lodge, of the City of New York. Another bears the inscription, "Durham, New Hampshire." The twelfth stone is from "Mount Lebanon Lodge No. 226, A. Y. M., Lebanon, Pa." The first stone on the 140th-foot landing is from D. O. Hitner's Quarry, Norristown, Pa., the second from the Grand Lodge of Masons of the State of Alabama. No. 3 may be regarded as a prayer by the City of Baltimore: "May Heaven To This Union Continue Its Benificence; May brotherly affection with union be perpetual; May the Free Constitution which is the work of our an- cestors be sacredly maintained, and its administration be stamped with wisdom and with virtue." The next stone is engraved, "Prosunt Omnibus. Grand Lodge of Georgia." Number 5 is from New York, presented by Masterton and Smith, of Westchester county. The sixth stone is from "Masonic Grand Lodge, of 111., 1853." Number 7 is inscribed, "From Fort Greene, Battle Ground of Long Island. A Tribute from the Ft. Greene Guard of Brooklyn, 1854." Number 8 reads, "From Otter's Summit, Virginia's loft- iest peak, to crown a monument to Virginia's noblest son." Num- ber 9 is from Co. I, 4th Regiment Infantry, U. S. A. Number 10 contains the names of seven men of the Engineers 2nd Division, James River and Kano Canal. The first stone on the 160-foot landing is from the Lafayette Lodge, F. A. M., New York City; the next stone, "Warren, R. I. Hope." Number 3 is from the Athenian Lodge, I. O. O. F., Troy, N. Y., the next from Newark, N. J., while number 5 is simply en-

TURNING THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT INSIDE OUT 1029 graved, "New York, 'Excelsior.' ' Number 6 was presented by the Eureka Lodge, I. O. O. F., City of New York. Washington Lodge, of F. and A. M., Roxbury, Mass., claims the first memorial stone on the 170th-foot landing; New Bedford, Mass., the next; while number 3 reads, "Charlestown. The Bunker Hill Battle Ground." The next is from Salem, Mass. Number 5, reads, "Sicut Patribus Sit Deus Nobis. Civitatis Regimine Donata A. D. 1822. Bostonia. Condita. A. D. 1630." Vermont claims the last, emphasizing "Freedom and Unity." The first stone on the 180th-foot landing, from the I. O. of O. F., of the city and county of Philadelphia, closes with, "in Com- memoration of the Devoted Patriotism, the exalted virtue and the illustrious deeds of him whose memory is an adamantine link in the National Union." Stone 2 says, "The Surest safeguard of the liberty of our country is total abstinence from all that intoxicates. Sons of Temperance of Pennsylvania." The 3rd stone is from the Grand Lodge of Penn., A. Y. M. Number 4 is inscribed, "Declara- tion of Independence, Philadelphia, July 4th, 1776. Corporation of the City of Philadelphia." The fifth stone is thus voiced: " 'Liberty, Independence, Virtue,' Pennsylvania. Founded 1681. By Deeds of Peace." Foreign admirers of George Washington took possession of the 190th-foot landing as follows: "Presented by the Governor and Commune of the Islands of Paros and Naxos, Grecian Archipelago, Aug. 13th, 1855." The second stone is carved, "Turkey;" No. 3, "Bremen;" No. 4, "Brazil, 1878;" 5. "Siam;" 6. "Greece;" 7, "To the Memory of Washington. The Free Swiss Confedera- tion. MDCCCLII." West Virginia donated the first stone with this inscription for the 200th-foot landing: "Tuum Nos Sumus Monumentum;" Rich- mond, Virginia the second, and the St. John's Lodge, F. A. M., Rich- mond, Va., the third. No. 4 from theG. L. of the U. S., 1852, gives a command about visiting the sick, burying the dead, etc. No. 5 is from the Grand Lodge of Md., I. O. O. F., and No. 6 is from the Masonic Lodge of Virginia, closing with, "Lo! she gave to this Republic the chief corner stone." The givers of number 7, were they alive today, would soon find themselves in the toils of the law if they violated the pledge they made on their gift; viz: "From the Templars of Honor and Temperance. Organized Dec. 5, 1845. 'Truth, Love, Purity, and Fidelity.' Our Pledge: 'We will not make, buy, sell or use as a beverage any spiritous or malt liquors, wine, cider, or any other alcoholic liquor, and will discountenance their manufacture, traffic and use, and this pledge we will maintain

1030 IMPROVEMENT ERA unto the end of life. Supreme Council of the Templars of Honor and Temperance, 1846." The West and South own the 210th-foot landing memorial stones. The first one encountered heralds, "Kansas. Kansas Ter- ritory. Organized May 30, 1851. State admitted January 29, 1861." The Grand Lodge of Ancient Free Masons of the State of Arkansas give number 2, and number 3 was donated by the Grand Lodge of the State of Miss. Number 4 is from "I. O. O. F. Grand on behalf of the Sons of Temperance of Illinois, Jan. 1, 1855," while the Grand Division of Ohio Sons of Temperance contributed the next stone. No. 7 is inscribed, "Michigan. An emblem of her trust in the Union." The last stone, number 8. is from the Grand Lodge, A. F. and A. M., of Iowa, 1876. mB i %-♦ i Wjtutyti h A^L^I The Potomac river, the Lincoln Memorial and the reflecting Pool, as seen from the top of the Washington Monument Having been born in the old Cherokee country in the South and in a wooden building whose logs were hewn out by Cherokees, I paid considerable attention to the first stone on the 220th-foot landing; viz: "Cherokee Nation, 1850." Wonderful, that a na- tion of savage Indians had advanced in so short a time that they appreciated the character and patriotism of George Washington. The next stone came from the State of Oregon. No. 3 states, "Montana. 'Oro y Plata.' ''' Minnesota gave the next, and the fifth is inscribed, "Holiness to the Lord. Deseret. (Utah)." The next stone says, "Tribute from Wyoming Territory. To the Memory of Him Who By Universal Consent Was Chief Among the Founders of the Re-

TURNING THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT INSIDE OUT 1 CHI public." The next is a Japanese Memorial Stone, and the eighth is a Chinese Memorial Stone, while Nebraska claims the next, adding, "Equality Before the Law." Number 10 reads, "All for our coun- try. Nevada, 1881." At the 230th-foot landing I made two rich discoveries, and here I rested for a long time. The first stone came from my native state and is engraved, "Tennessee. The Federal Union, it must be pre- served." The next stone came from the Grand Lodge of the State of Florida, and memorial stone number 3 from Hawkins county, Tenn. Number 4 is inscribed, "Georgia Convention, 1850, 'Wisdom, Jus- tice, Moderation.' " The next stone is patriotic in its declaration: "Under the auspices of Heaven and the Precepts of Washington, Kentucky will be the last to give up the Union. 'United we stand, Divided we fall.' M. Pruden, 1851." The sixth stone, from the Grand Lodge of I. O. O. F., of Kentucky, says, "In Union There is Strength." The first stone my eyes met on the 240th-foot landing was inscribed, "Presented by the United American Mechanics, Pa." The next stone has this inscription, "Presented by the Association of the Oldest Inhabitants of the District of Columbia, July 4th, 1 870." Stone number 3 reads. "Wales. Fy Iatth, Fy Negivlad, Fy nghenedl. Cyrnry am byth." The next stone from Braddock's Field bore an inscription far more easily understood than the one that preceded it. Stone number 5 is from the Battle Ground, Long Island, and the next one is from the Improved Order of Red Men, of D. C. The next stone has this inscription, "The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America in session in Washington City, May, 1852." The 8th and last stone on this floor says, "American Medical Association. Instituted MDCCC- XLVII. Vincit Amor Patriae." *""""— The 250th-foot landing starts out with this inscribed stone: "The Young Men's Mercantile Library Association of Cincinnati. Organized A. D. 1805. A. D. 1853. 2,400 members. Proud to honor Washington, Contributes its humble quota to the swelling tide of National Gratitude. Ohio — First born of the ordinance of '87. Every pulsation of the heart beats high, beats strong, for liberty and the Union." The next stone is a tribute from the teachers of the Buffalo public schools, and the third stone is from the women of Lowell, Mass. The next stone was presented by the proprietors of the Cincinnati Commercial, 1850. The fifth stone was a gift from the citizens of Stockton, Calif., while the sixth came from the citizens of the United States of America who were at that time residing in Foo Chow Foo, China. The next stone lists the names of the Engine, Hose, and Hook-and-Ladder Companies of Phila-

1032 IMPROVEMENT ERA delphia, and stone number 8 is from the Fire Department of Phila- delphia, 1854. Number 9 is also a gift from a Fire and Hose Com- pany. The tenth stone has this inscription: "Washington, N. C, Thalian Association." The first memorial stone on the 260th-foot landing stares at you with this inscription: "Cincinnati Company. Our War is With the Elements." The pupils of the public schools of the city of Baltimore contributed stone number 2, while the third discloses this fact: "Washington Erina Guard, Newark, N. J." Number 4 came from a Sunday School and bears this information: "From the Sabbath School Children of the Methodist E. Church in the city and districts of Philadelphia. 4th July, 1853. A preached Gospel. A Free Press. Washington — We revere his memory. Search the Scriptures. Suffer little children to come unto me and forbid them not for of such is the Kingdom of God. — Luke xviii: 16. Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it. — Prov. xxii:6-5." The next stone is from the Fire Department of the City of New York, and number 6 tells its own story: "The memory of the Just is Blessed. — Prov. 10:7. Presented by the children of the Sunday Schools of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in the City of New York, Feb. 22, 1855." The seventh stone came from the sons of New England living in Canada. The Jefferson Society of the University of Virginia donated the first stone on the 270th-foot landing. The next stone is in- scribed: "From the Home of Stark. By the ladies of Manchester, N. H." The next stone came from the employees of R. Norris & Son, Locomotive Works, Philadelphia. No. 4 came from the Con- tinental Guard of New Orleans, La., giving names of 163 persons, and stating that the Guard was organized Feb. 22, 1855. The next stone came from the Cliosophic Society, Nassau Hall, N. J., and the last stone "from the Alexandrian Library in Egypt, brought to this country by G. C. Baker." Action and inaction are suggested by the first stone on the 280th-foot landing as follows: " 'All that live must die.' A tribute of respect from the Ladies and Gentlemen of the Dramatic Pro- fession of America, 1853!" The next stone came as a gift from the Class of 1853-54 of the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia. Stone number 3 is inscribed: "From the Citizens of Alexandria, Va. The Descendants of the Friends and Neighbors of Washington. 1851." The next stone came from the Hibernian Society of Balti- more, and lists its officers and committee. The fifth stone reads, "To Washington, An Humble Tribute from Two Disciples of Daguerre." The next stone was a gift of the First Regiment of Light Infantry, Mass., Vol. Militia, Boston. The seventh stone came

TURNING THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT INSIDE OUT 1033 from Honesdale, Pa., and the eighth is inscribed, "To the Father of His Country. The Addison Literary Society of the West- ern Military Institute, Brennon, Kentucky. Non nobis solum, sed patriae et amicis." Three states contributed three stones on the 290th-foot land- ing, as follows: Oklahoma, 1907; Colorado, 1876; Texas, 1845. While on the 300th-foot landing South Dakota has her name en- graved in a stone, and the State of Washington on the 310th-foot landing. On the 320th, Arizona is mentioned, and the 330th an- nounces "Top of Statue on Capitol," meaning that this lettering is at the same height as the top of the statue on the national Capitol building. When I had finished reading the inscriptions, I had forgotten heat and perspiration, and rejoiced that the elevator was out of commission, for its lameness forced me to do that which haste might otherwise have caused me to ignore. Doubtless if the Father of His Country could visit this great structure the feature which he would find most interesting would be the inscriptions on the memorial stones which comparatively few visitors ever see. The Common Walks of Life Few souls who would not scale the height For Love's eternal sake, And few who would not die for right Where honor is at stake. For flag and countrymen will bleed And drain the dregs of shame, The zealot for his frenzied creed Will wade through tongues of flame. But in the common walks of life, Where common things assail, Mid homely tasks and petty strife — Tis there where mortals fail. Who curbs his wrath and guards his tongue, Has more than legions tamed — Is zealot, patriot unsung, And a victor unacclaimed! Mesa, Arizona BERTHA A. Kl.EINMAN