Sacramento Daily Record Union

A SCHEME FOR A NATIONAL MONUMENT TO GRANT.

We do not know who Mr. Lucius Briggs is, but he has proposed a scheme worthy of attention. He hails from Glasgo, Conn., and has addressed a letter to Governor Bulkeley of that State, in which his plan is set forth.

Mr. Briggs says that he is a business man of the town in which he lives; that he has no ax to grind; that his proposition is born of sincerity and a spirit of ardent patriotism. He calls the attention of the Governor to the fact that as yet the national monument to General Grant's memory, which a short time ago every one demanded should be erected, is not taking shape, and that the prospect is that possibly none will be erected unless a new and broadly popular movement is put on foot to collect the necessary money.

His proposition is, first, that a monument shall be erected in the city of Washington—and in that Mr. Briggs reflects the common judgment of the American people. He would have the Governors of all the States that did not secede (but why not all States?) advise organization of citizens in every school district in such States and in the Territories, to which on the first Wednesday in next October, every man, woman and child shall be invited to contribute the sum of five cents, no more and no less. If there are at that time any so poor that they cannot contribute five cents, then permission may be given for some one with means to make up the amount, the idea being that there should be a representation in the fund of all the people to the extent of five cents per capita. Estimating the population that should thus contribute at not less than 45,000,000, the collection would yield $2,250,000. Mr. Briggs says in defense of the scheme:

It is manifestly improper and repugnant to the feelings of the common people that a few rich men should build a monument to General Grant, but the spectacle of all the people uniting and contributing to the work would be a most gratifying one, and unique in all countries and in all times. It places—as is proper in such a work—the banker, the merchant and the capitalist on a level with the poor and the lowly, and the President and his Cabinet, and members of Congress with the toilers all over the land.

A work so extensive as this and of such a character, and for such an object, appealing as it does to every individual, should properly be inaugurated by the Governors of the several States; and I suggest that simultaneously, on some day to be named by the Governor of the State of New York, a proclamation, or some proper form of calling the attention of the people of the States to the matter, and naming the day or days for its execution, would, beyond question, insure its success. It would remove forever a stigma, now becoming hard to be borne, from the richest, most generous and most patriotic people on the face of the earth.

It would have the officials of each school district report to such State officials as each Governor may name, and have each of the latter report to the Governor, and he to the Treasurer of the United States. Then the President should name a Board of competent men to pass upon designs and carry out the work, the President retaining revisory power over their acts.

We confess that the idea is one that presents itself with force. The proposition to make the erection of such a monument the work of the people through uniform contributions is not an original one, but the method that Mr. Briggs suggests is original and apparently feasible. There would seem to be very little machinery about the plan, no danger of complications, and no chance for the gratification of personal ambitions or the vain display of wealth.

If the Governors of the States approve of the plan, give it their indorsement, and issue the necessary requests to the school district officials, we have no doubt whatever about the scheme receiving such attention from the press of the land that the people will be fully informed concerning it and awakened to the true spirit and patriotic thought of the idea.

If we suppose that only two-thirds of the people respond to the appeal, that one-third, through indifference or misapprehension or distrust, fail to contribute the necessary desired nickel each, the sum realized would still be the handsome one of $1,500,000. If $500,000 of that amount were expended for site, plans and foundation, a million of dollars would remain for the erection of the monument. We like the idea of a monument to Grant that will be the result of the free gifts of the people of the nation that gave the man to the world. The scheme suggested would seem to be one that could not become involved in political intrigue or contribute to personal ambition. It is simple, direct and patriotic in inception, and if at all successful will be a monument not only to the memory of a nation's hero, but to the patriotic spirit of the American people.