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REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02221 0485
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016
https://archive.org/details/onehundredthanni00leed 0
No politics, nor party, here are known, But East and West, and South and North, as one, With principles, like Flags of Truth unfurled, To spread in moral grandeur o'er the world.
Let the glad Patriotism of Peace become The Rising Kingdom of Humanity.
ONE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY
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OF THE
CLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE Mi-
AND INDEPENDENCE SQUARE, AND THY
THREE MAIN FRONT BUILDINGS THEREON. IX Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, AS À MONUMENT OF MEMORIALS,
SACRED AND FOREVER,
To Honor the Fathers of our Beloved Country and their Principles.
Gather the Memorials which remain, that no more be lost.
AS THE PEOPLE OF PHILADELPHIA SAY, SO WILL SAY THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES.
Ti Hevred to the City and Citizens of Philadelphia, to the Sinte and People of Penn- sylvania, to all the Inhabitants of ull the Country, and to the Cause of Liberty, Right. and Duty for all Mankind.
By JOSEPH LEEDS, Philadelphia, 1972. No. 1814 SOMMER STREET,
INDEX. 1695624
Title, &c., ..
COVER.
Index,
COVER.
Copyright and Testimonials,
1
Introductory,
.
4
Preface,
5
Address to the People.
7
Contents, .
E
8
Key-Note, .
9
Copy of original Letter to Councils, and manuscript giving
the Design rearranged, with the additions since made, 10-24 Also, the plan for Association and Funds, 25
Washington, 26
One Hundred Lines, entitled the Ancestry of our Country and the Fathers of our Nation, 28
A Parable : The Yoke of Independence and the Patriotism of Peace, 30
Patriotism of Peace, .
COVER.
The Wealth of Patriotism,
. COVER.
.
National in design and purpose, in the People and Government, in Association and Membership, in Materials and Work, in States, Territories, and Union, in Library and Funds, and in all its fulness, and in the full exhibition of all its parts, to constitute one Grand Simplicity that will be in accordance with the greatness of our beloved Country, with the magnitude of the coming Cen- tennial, with the dignified simplicity of our Fathers, with the gratitude and honor we owe them, and with the best good of the present and advancing generations, thereby adding lustre to our nation, renown to our States and Territories, a source of instruc- tion and happiness for every family, a brighter bow of promise over every cradle, a broader seal to the bond of our Union, a golden band to our country's diadem, a star of promise to the coming Centennial, to future ones a fulfilling constellation, to the world a Shekinah of principles, and a jubilee of jubilees to the patriotism of Peace.
489
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[Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1870, by JOSEPH LEEDS, in the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington. ]
TESTIMONIALS.
The undersigned, having severally examined the Design by Joseph Leeds for improving Independence Square and the three main front buildings thereon as a Monument of Memorials to honor the Fathers of our Nation, and his plan to pay for the same, without any subscription or gifts of money, do hereby give the same our approval, subject to such improvements as the National Association proposed therein, when formed, shall deem for the best.
U. S. Grant, President of the United States.
Eli K. Price.
William H. Allen.
James Pollock.
L. A. Godey.
Henry C. Carey.
George Sharswood, (Judge.)
Alexander Henry.
Richard Vaux.
Isaac Hazlehurst.
Horace Austin, Governor of Minnesota.
Daniel M. Fox.
James Ross Snowden. Jay Cooke.
R. C. Powers, Governor of Mississippi.
H. P. McKean.
John W. Geary, Governor of Pennsylvania.
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Morton McMichael.
William M. Meredith.
John Jordon, Jr.
Caleb Cope.
C. Delano, Secretary of Interior.
George W. Hall.
Henry H. Bingham.
M. Baird & Co., Baldwin Locomotive Works.
M. L. Dawson.
W. E. Littleton.
William S. Peirce, (Judge.)
S. Bradford.
J. A. Campbell, Governor of Wyoming Ter.
William Sellers & Co.
R. Patterson. N. B. Brown.
Francis Gurney Smith.
B. Hammatt. James E. Wood, (Bishop.) Frederick Graeff.
Marshall P. Wilder. James Page.
William R. Lejee.
Joseph Harrison, Jr.
Nelson F. Evans.
Marsh Giddings, Governor of New Mexico.
P. McCall. S. P. Chase, Chief Justice U. S. S. C.
Wm. Bacon Stevens, (Bishop.)
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J. H. Leslie, Governor of Kentucky.
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Henry Knox Thacher, Rear Admiral U. S. N. A. J. Drexel. Samuel Welsh. Daniel Steinmetz. Benedict D. Stewart.
Thomas Mackellar.
William Henry Rawle.
William Bucknell. Thomas A. Scott.
John L. Shoemaker. William Chapin.
J. Sidney Mitchell. William L. Gregg. Daniel Dougherty.
J. Edgar Thompson.
P. F. Rothermel.
A. E. Borie. Joseph Patterson. F. Sheppard. William Linn Brown.
William W. Harding.
George C. Thomas.
George H. Stuart.
Charles E. Warburton.
John Marston, Commodore U. S. N.
George Cadwalader, (General.)
J. W. Forney.
Edwin N. Benson.
Edwin North.
Robert C. Davis.
George D. Rosengarten. Charles Gilpin. Charles Santee.
Alexander J. Derbyshire.
John P. Weiherell.
William Massey.
Samuel G. King.
P. S .- The foregoing names comprise in number one hundred and thirteen. One hundred would have met the centennial num- ber, but the thirteen over are very appropriate for the old thir- teen States. The author called personally on one hundred and three, and received their several signatures. Ten, by letter, wished their names added. If hundreds more of like character and influence were needful, East, West, South or North wo : : readily furnish them.
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Cara
Charles J. Biddle. Robert Collyer. W. A. Bartlett. Joseph Medill, . Mayor of Chicago.
P. H. Sheridan, Lieutenant-General U. S. A.
O. O. Howard, (General.) R. B. Heward.
Louis Wagner.
Isaac A. Sheppard. Robert Morris.
John S. Morton. John C. Dawson. David S. Brown. James WV. White.
A. H. Franciscus. James L. Claghorn. R. Patterson, (General.) E. C. Knight. George G. Meade, (General.) John W. Sexton. William G. Morchead.
F. A. Drexel.
M. Simpson, (Bishop.) J. G. Fell.
Alexander Whilldin. F. W. Clark. James Lynd, (Judge.)
B. B. Comegys. Theodore Cuyler.
Among the Letters received by the Author are the following, which indicate the general tone of the Public Mind in all our States :
TERRITORY OF NEW MEXICO,
EXECUTIVE OFFICE, SANTA FE, September 6, 1872.
DEAR SIR :- Please add my name to the testimonials if it can be of any service. I shall rejoice always to loan my name, influence and means, so far as I may, to secure the consummation of such an interesting, laudable and grand work for the coming ages.
Yours, MARSH GIDDINGS.
TO JOSEPH LEEDS, Philadelphia.
WINCHESTER, MASS., September 13, 1872.
TO JOSEPH LEEDS, EsQ. :
DEAR SIR :- The stupendous and noble work in which you are engaged cannot fail to meet, not only the approval, but the admiration of every patriotic citizen of this country; and may God speed you in this great undertaking. I beg you, dear sir, to place my humble name on the list. I shall watch with great inter- est the progress in this great National Monument. With great esteem and respect, I am truly yours,
HENRY KNOX THACHER, Rear Admiral U. S. N.
STATE OF KENTUCKY,
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, FRANKFORD, September 4, 1872. JOSEPHI LEEDS, EsQ., Philadelphia :
I have received your letter and printed sheet suggesting design for the work and plan of a monument to our country's fathers, &c. I heartily approve of it, and desire to add to its success all the weight of Kentucky's sympathy .. Respectfully,
J. S. LESLIE.
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INTRODUCTORY.
This subject goes back to our Fathers, and to that slow origin of the rising tide of our present speed and progress, which presents a striking contrast between Past and Present, quite sufficient to remind us all of dangers as well as duties.
To carry out this work, a National Association is proposed to be " formed by, from and for the people, " having a first-class Engraved Diploma of Membership, thirty by twenty inches or more in size, noticing every State and Territory in our Union, showing the moral and material foundations of our country, with leading pictorials of our freedom and prosperity, and the Declaration of Independence, making a Portrait of Patriotism to adorn any room or parlor in the world.
This Diploma has been designed with great care, and the copyright for it granted. A pen-drawing of it only has been made, which has been examined by connoisseurs and others, but no change in it has yet been proposed. Already the number called for gives assurance that they will be taken in our States and Territories to such an extent that the price is made five dollars each, so that every family can own one or more, while, as a token of respect, thousands can present it as a gift that will always be cherished.
The estimated cost of the whole work will not exceed one million of dollars ; and another million put at interest will produce an income to preserve and support it permanently. The belief is often expressed that the net profit on the sales of diplomas will supply all the needful funds.
Thus the whole can be done FROM THE PEOPLE and BY THE PEOPLE, "without money and without price," because each diploma will be a full equivalent for the amount paid for it ; and when done there can be FOR THE PEOPLE, under wise and good regulations, an open door and a free admission.
And it will always stand as a vivid testimonial to that patriotism which so commenced our country and nation, that we have become the most favored land the world has ever known.
NOTE .- This pamphlet is sold for ten dollars per hundred, for the purpose of using the profit to pay for the engraving of the Diploma of Membership. Any surplus over will be applied for the work. The engraving will take six months or more to prepare it on steel. Meantime subscriptions for it will be taken.
Should the sale of diplomas produce a surplus of funds, it is proposed that, to meet contingencies, the Association may hold, not exceedling ten thousand dollars. If more, apply it to finish the Washington Monument, now standing in the City of Washington unfinished, a disparagement to us all. If possibly more, promptly apply it to national works or charities, or return it to each State and Territory in proportion as each may have taken Diplomas.
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1
PREFACE.
The author of this pamphlet more than forty years ago con- ceived the idea of having a monument of memorials, to honor the Fathers of our country. He then wrote out a design, on a small scale, like the one here presented as far as it went, hoping as years passed on, that the time would come, and the place ap- pear for its introduction. When the Centennial movement com- menced, then the time arrived, the place appeared, and the opportunity opened. That design was enlarged, the manuscript constantly called for and lent. By invitation the author read it at a meeting of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, September 12, 1870. Again it was lent, till a member of our City Councils desired it, to lay before them, which was done, June 1, 1871, and they had it printed for use of members, and placed in their records. Subsequently, the author had seven hundred printed, which have been distributed gratuitously, so that now, November, 1872, it is known to prominent men in our country, and to the people more or less in Seventeen States of our Union. By all classes, old and young, earnest wishes are expressed that the . work may be done. This present pamphlet has sixteen additional pages, containing Index, Testimonials, Preface, Address to the People, Contents, Key-Note, original pamphlet with Design rear- ranged and additions since made, one hundred lines, the Yoke of Independence and the Patriotism of Peace, a parable, Patriot- ism of Peace, and the Wealth of Patriotism.
Had not the Fathers of our Nation been. the noblest men to perform the noblest work ever done by man, our States might now be, not United but Divided, in constant collision with each other, with hundreds of paid emissaries to keep us so. Perhaps not a free church or a free school in the land; possibly not a free insti- tution. Instead of our means of education, improvement, and happiness, our places of worship, and our numberless homes for enjoyment, we might have ignorance, error, superstition, oppres- sion, tyranny, cruelty, and wrong meeting us on every side, with internal commotions to aid them. Language cannot describe the contrast between our present prosperity, resulting from their work, and what might now be, had their work not been done.
Philadelphia owns Independence Square. A moral deed of it seems to be recorded in every patriotic heart. That Divinity which rules in the affairs of men has kept it from any permanent common use, and now as a Century is ending, appears to have ordained this as the very time for the people of our Country to make it their Ark of Patriotism forever. Such the world has never known; nor can it be even supposed that circumstance; will ever again occur in our nation, or any other, to call for it.
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Numerous opinions are expressed that its material benefits to Philadelphia, to the real estate in its vicinity, to hotels, railroads, and business generally, will very far exceed its cost and all sub- sequent support. But all this dwarfs when compared with the pure and exalting influence it must exert on all minds. Every. good inan desires such influence in his family as being invaluable. Our Country is a family. What will be its worth for our Country ?
The patriotism of war has been proved. Victories, triumphs, glory, and peace gained through trials, battles, blood, wounds, cripples, death, widows, orphans, tears, demoralization, and national debt. The glad Patriotism of Peace is awaking. Arts and pursuits to benefit man, institutions to supply want, aid the helpless and relieve suffering, and means of instruction in ways of right, duty, and happiness, are all increasing. Wastes are repaired, cities and country adorned, cemeteries made beautiful, departed worth honored, graves decorated, and anniversaries cheered with flowers, music, eloquence, and song ; while homes of comfort, man's refuge and rest, woman's bright theatre of action, and a nation's reliance and strength, are crowning the land.
The proposed work, if commenced early in 1873, can be done previously to the Centennial. It will be greeted by all hearts ; and as the aged patriot beholds it, he will exclaim, with emotions of gladness, "The glory has not departed." And on that day, July 4, 1876, with multitudes in and around that Square, a prayer, replete with gratitude, would rise to Heaven, an oration yet unthought of would herald the Past to the Present in elo- quence flaming with life and light, and a hymn, yet unknown, from tens of thousands of voices rising, led by bands of music on every side, and the Independence bell giving time, tone, and 'emphasis, would be our Nation's clarion chorus of thanks and adoration, and the continuous swelling song of Freedom to roll through all lands, move in human thoughts, and inspire coming ages.
Read, mothers, daughters, all these pages read, And fathers, and young men, and children too; They mean your wise progenitors who lived, And made our land the favored one of Earth ; They mean that woman and that man are names Divinely given to be by none excelled,
The titles, which imply the noblest acts, And yet the humblest good that Heaven commands;
They mean your people, country, kindred, home,
In all the walks of life, and all its scenes ; They mean that every right shall be maintained, That every duty shall be well performed, And charity have place in every heart ; They mean that this our bright inheritance, The marching empire o'er the western world,
Be cherished, loved, improved and used by us, That future generations, as they come, May bless our works, as we our fathers bless.
TO THE PEOPLE.
The first and foremost citizens of our country are making ex- tensive arrangements for a most noble Exposition of all the pro- ductions of all nations, which the genius and industry of man have wrought out. The Fairmount Park, in Philadelphia, is selected for this magnificent display. It will occupy many acres of space, about six months of time, five to ten millions in money, with mental and physical labor unceasing. It will have the support of the people throughout our States; and it will be for good to all nations. Time, however, will bring its close, its report, and its praise, and history take it to its records.
But principles have the divine seal of immortality. The real Centennial itself is the Hundreth Anniversary of Our National Independence, and it means our fathers, their toils, trials, sacri- fices, sufferings, hazards, battles, and blood-it means their wis- dom, integrity, truth, patriotism, courage, and kindred principles of moral excellence-it means that all these made the fourth day of July, 1776, the birthday of our practical, civil, and religious liberty, to be celebrated forever; and it means that from such a fountain the streams of our prosperity flow, and that the Cen- tennial Exposition will be from that source: a broad, bright, beautiful lake, with surroundings of grandeur, bearing on its bosom a fleet containing all that invention, industry, and art has produced for the convenience, comfort, and happiness of man- kind.
The design herein given is to make Independence Square, and its three main front buildings, a monument to those fathers and their works. That ground and those walls were consecrated by their presence, their labors, and their success. This is known throughout the land. The Exposition will take the intellect : this the heart. Independence Square stands like a mighty orator, whose eloquence for right is a constant bulletin or like a glorious instrument, the tones whereof have a response from the civilized world, while every song of freedom is its telegram. Its life is greatness ; its atmosphere goodness ; the only place on earth to which the hearts of our people and all people turn to make it the centre and sun of Christian patriotism for all coming time. Omit this, and no substitute for it, or to compare with it, can be found. Nor can our city and country, or any other, ever expect a like opportunity for securing universal renown.
Here, then, let "Virtue, Liberty, and Independence " have their court. Here let the record of patriot fame, the Altar of Freedom, the shrine of principles, the fortress of right, the archives of our dearest treasures, rise and stand forever.
All nations will honor the people who thus honor their illustri- ous ancestors, and the approving seal of Heaven will attend it.
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CONTENTS.
The Design comprises the following :
No. 1. Independence Hall, in first story of centre edifice.
No. 2. Revolution Hall, in second story of same.
No. 3. Constitution Hall, in second story of Fifth street corner edifice.
No. 4. Government Hall, in second story of Sixth street corner edifice.
No. 5. United States Hall, in first story of Sixth street corner edifice.
No. 6. Rooms for Business, in first story of Fifth street corner edifice.
No. 7. Independence Bell, Washington's Carriage, Statues of the Presidents of the United States, and the Mayors of Philadel- phia, in the entrance Hall of centre edifice.
No. 8. Two Corridors to connect the buildings at second story for passage way, Reading Room, Library, and portrayals of our Country previously to 1750 and since 1800. The inter- vening fifty years come into the design.
No. 9. Trees in the Square on each side, emblematic of retired veterans still watching their palladium of Freedom.
No. 10. The Waterman Monument on centre of the Square, the Federal Arch at Walnut street entrance, and twenty-seven Sta- tues ; then thirteen Lamps for the old thirteen States, emble- matic of a Guard of Honor.
No. 11. Thirteen Historical Lamps with consecutive names to stand on the centre front, between, and on a line with the corners of Fifth and Sixth street edifices.
No. 12. Thirteen trees near curbstone in front from Fifth to Sixthi street, for the old thirteen ; an iron fence around each, having the name of a State.
No. 13. In like manner a tree for every other State and Terri- tory, around the other three sides of the Square, and a lamp for each, omitting the thirteen in the Square. Emblematic of all the States and Territories, as Sentinels, with lamps, on front, rear and flanks, guarding their Citadel of Liberty.
NOTE .- The outside walk all around faced with slabs of stone, as the front now is, with best curbing.
A supporting wall to the Square, its surmounting, also fountains, flowers and other adornings and fixtures, such as Committees may direct. The whole design subject to such improvement as can be made.
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KEY-NOTE.
In wilderness commenced, by ancestors of Freedom with prin- ciples of Right. A voice of intelligence and wisdom directed their path. The time came. Independence was declared, Revo- lution accomplished, Constitution made, Government organized, practical civil and religious Liberty introduced, a new era com- menced, and over this western world the Star of Humanity brightened.
The result in general, for nearly a century and still progressing, is and has been peace, prosperity, plenty, and means for social, domestic and public happiness, such as no other age or country ever enjoyed.
The Declaration of Independence, without the Revolution, was void. Both impotent without the Constitution, and the three weak without the Government. But the four united are a power to exalt, and hold up, the people, the States and the nation.
Such new and peerless work, by conventions of men, standing unequalled, may well be commemorated by a new and peerless monument of memorials, to occupy fully Independence Square and its three main front buildings, where their chief work was done.
Shall we enjoy unparalleled prosperity, and neglect to honor the Fathers who left us an inheritance so rich ? Shall we live under the glorious tree of Liberty, and forget the soil and roots which support it? Shall we ride on the broad river of Freedom, and bathe in its waters, without remembering the high, pure, deep, and beautiful fountain from whence it flows ? Every patriot daughter and son of the land says No! and all by adoption say No! A century is closing. Let the morning light of a new century be greeted by a nation's gratitude, embodied in a nation's shrine, on the ground where the hearts of a nation centre.
Millions on millions have been cheerfully expended in the century gone by, to keep in remembrance prominent persons, events, and things past, while anniversaries, demonstrations, speeches, toasts, orations and songs have given their aid. Lan- guage has been taxed, words almost coined, books written, records made and eloquence exhausted, in approving, lauding and praising our fathers and their patriotism. And much also, to have the proposed square and buildings preserved and kept sacred forever, to honor them and their principles. But, marvellous indeed is the fact, that their most preeminent work, performed with pre- eminent integrity, on a ground thus made preeminent, should be unmarked by a nation's hand, although treasured in the affec- tions of the people. Let time be improved; let the work rise like a magnificent but simple mirror and reflect the patriotism and principles of our Fathers, vivid with all the life and truth that nature and art can give. Let it become a day and night- watch to our Freedom, wisdom to us and our children, the patriotism of peace to mankind, and to the World a standard of " Virtue, Liberty, and Independence."
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To the Select and Common Councils 1
of the City of Philadelphia:
GENTLEMEN: Allow me to present for your consideration a manuscript paper read before a meeting of the Pennsyl- vania Historical Society, September 12, 1870, being a plan for making Independence Square and buildings as named therein a monument of memorials forever, to honor the Declaration of Independence, the patriots of the Revolution, the framers of our Constitution and Government, and the fathers of our country, accompanied with a plan for an association of a national character for carrying out the former and perpetuating it forever.
I have also drawn a pen-sketch for a diploma of member- ship to be made simply elegant, whereby hundreds of thou- sands of our fellow-countrymen will become members, which will, in a simple, efficient way, produce ample funds to do all that is named or needed in the most efficient and perfect manner, besides placing a fund at interest, the income of which will pay all subsequent annual expenses of every kind; so that no subscriptions will be required, nor an entrance fee be needed, nor will the cost be hardly felt by anybody. The people will do all, and the committees and directors of the association can promptly go on with busi- ness and meet all expense without delay.
Numerous families and individuals in Pennsylvania and other States, who have heard the outlines of this design, give it such approval as to warrant the belief that it will be promptly accepted and supported by all our people through- out all our States and Territories.
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