The Washington critic., 1888-03-02
THE MEMORIAL BRIDGE.


it is some time since much Of any
thing has been said about the Memorial.
Bridge across the Potomac, yet the
zeal with which TIE CRITIc originally
advocated this noble project has not in
the least abatcd, and we have every
reason to believe that It's friends have
not forgotten nor ceased TO favor It.
IT was suggested In the first place
that in no more striking, impressive or
enduring manner could the memory of
General Grant be perpetuatcd at the
National Capital Than by the erection
of massive and majestic bridge that
should for all time reunitc the sections
once severed by fratricidal war, and
symbolic in its imperishable arches
the consummation of the Great Com
mander's services to his country.
1t was urged that such n tribute to
his valor and patriotism would be of
grander significance than mausoleum
or monument Combining architectural
ornamentation with permanent useful
ness, and spanning the historic stream
that once constituted deadly line of
separation between divided common
wealths, it would become hcnccforth
their sacred bond and emblem Of
brotherhood.
Out of this proposition grew the
larger and more comprehensive idea
that the proposed bridge be reared not
alone 10 the honor of Grant, nor yet
alone TO the honor of Grant and Lin
coln, but 10 the glorious remembrance
of the cause that triumphed in the
maintenance OF the Federal Union, and
TO the genius of liberty and civiliza-
ton as exalted by the prowess of
American arms. and the conservatism
of American craftsmanship during the
tremendous trial-struggle of tbs Re-
public.
Such memorial, to be truly typi-
cal of restored Union, should be
built upon a scale of ornateness and
expenditure commensurate with our
greatness as people and the magni-
tude of the work that was wrought in
The surrender at AppomattoX and the
parole of the Confederate armies. 1t
should exceed all similar structures
recorded in the worlds history, as the
results il would commemorate out
shine in splendOr all others in the
annals of human progress, Its elo-
quent lessons should be so craven upon
pier and buttress, on parapet and
tower, on marble column and rib Of
steel, as to defy the corrosions of time
and command the reverence AMI al
miration Of after ages.
Obviously, The bill that was intro
duced in the Senate by Mr.. Butler of
South Carolina, early in the session
for the construction Of an iron bridge
'from the most convenient point of
the Naval Observatory grounds across
the Potomac River to the most con-
venicnt point of the Arlington estate
property" will answer no such pur'
pose, as here briefly outlined.
Mr. Buffers plans are Of purely
matter-of.fact character They merely
contemplate the erection Of q good
bridge, with a draw, to cost $4,000
They embody nothing Of memorial
character and involve an expenditure
that would admit Of no elaborate archi
tectural design. 1t is not such a bridg,
as ought to be constructed at or nel
the commanding points mentioned, t.
eomport with the future growth anC
grandeur Of the National Capital anC
the beauty Of its prospective surround
ings,
II is to be hoped that tire heroic an,
classical will not be lost sight of il
any designs that may be suggested
and that the bridge be made me
mortal bridge upon the general pla
that secured the sanction of the Senat
during the last Congress. Nothin
could be more appropriate in its monu
mental characteristics, and nothing les.
upon thorough understanding of tn
subject, will accord so nearly with til
patriotic sentiment of the great an
happy family OF States.
THE REPUBLICAN members Of th