evolutionary fathers,

"We, the Senate and House of Representatives in Congress assembled,
in the name of the people of the United 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,
and instruct the committees on appropriations of the respective
Houses to propose suitable provisions of law to carry this resolution
into effect."

In submitting this resolution I said:

"I desire to offer at this time a concurrent resolution I wish to
say before it is read that I believe if it were passed to-day it
would be a matter of profound satisfaction to the great body of
the people of the United States. I ask that it be read."

After the resolution was read, there was a pause, when Mr. Edmunds
said: "Let us consider this resolution. It will be agreed to
unanimously, I am sure."

The resolution was therefore considered and agreed to unanimously.
It was sent to the House of Representatives the next morning, when
Mr. Hopkins, of Pennsylvania, pending a motion to adjourn, asked
unanimous consent to take from the speaker's table the concurrent
resolution in reference to the Washington monument. Upon the
resolution being read, the House seemed to be impressed, as was
the Senate, with the fitness of the time, and the propriety of the
measure proposed, and it was unanimously adopted without debate.

Thus Congress undertook to execute the unfinished work of the
Washington Monument Society. The requisite appropriations were
subsequently made, and the monument, as completed, is now the most
impressive token of the appreciation, by the American people, of
the name and fame of George Washington. It is visited daily by
nearly every American or stranger who enters the city of Washington.
Its dedication will be hereafter mentioned.

CHAPTER XXVIII.
THE HAYES-TILDEN PRESIDENTIAL CONTEST.
Nomination of R. B. Hayes for President--His Fitness for the
Responsible Office--Political Shrewdness of Samuel J. Tilden, His
Opponent--I Enter Actively Into the Canvass in Ohio and Other States
--Frauds in the South--Requested by General Grant to Go to New
Orleans and Witness the Canvassing of the Vote of Louisiana--
Departure for the South--Personnel of the Republican and Democratic
"Visitors"--Report of the Returning Board--My Letter to Governor
Hayes from New Orleans--President Grant's Last Message to Congress
--Letter from Presi