Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-04-11

the grievous debt of some $40, OOO, 600. In both
cases they took upon themselves national bur
dens and were led by philosophical motives
| as the Senate committee reported in 1885. into
expenditures which did not properly belong to
them.
They are none the less public spirited, pa
triotic citizens because they owe no allegiance
to q state. Their city has planted the roots Of
its existence and prosperity in the spirit Of
American nationality. and has fourished as
| they are Americans or they are nothing; the
people of No Mans land; men without a
country. II is well for the nation that their
Americanism is intense in proportion to its
concentration, for that which lies next to the
heart OF the republic must be flesh Of its flesh,
pulsating with its warmest, richest life blood,
or it will be a canker, collecting alien
poisonous matter and eating at the nations
Vitals.
THE DISTRICTS SECOND CENTURY.
In the Districts second century it will keep
step in every respect with the progress of the ma
ton; it will be the republic in miniature. In
every branch of municipal development, whether
attractiveness, health. trade, commerce, con-
venience or comfor. is the aim, the city will
be made model. With the republics intel
iectual growth there will be a cor
responding increase in the capitals inn
portGnce as the brain center from
which influences in every branch Of learning,
III bSicDct anu III cuuCatlDn. IN literature
aud politics. flow to every corner of the nation.
The TACT will also be fully recognized that trees
and parks and streets and structures of granite
and marble do not alone suffice to constitute
the ideal capital. There must be men full of
the national spirit and fit from favoring cOndi-
tons 10 show forth the Anne rican character in
the blaze of the capital to the inspection of the
world. fApplause.l
And when all possible wonders have been
wrought in the inanimate capital its people will
hay will h. god f,nf he.
burden OF ancient laws. utterly unfit for
modern community, that cling about their
necks and choke them like the old man of the
sea on the shoulders of Sinbad. Injurious dis
examinations In all respect is will be removed. The
District has been pronounced a state under the
treaty with France, construction comforting
privileges on aliens, but not a state under the
Constitution. whose people can sue in the fed
eral courts. The Supreme Court of the United
States says in express terms that we stand in a
more unfavorable attitude toward the national
Judiciary than aliens. The District is,a state
when direct taxes are to be collected, but not q
state when representatives are apportioned
though the Constitution couples the two things
In the Districts second century, when its
population numbers half a million or a million
1t will be not merely state when burdens are
imposed, but sometimes. at least, without radi-
cal change in the municipal government,
a state when privileges are bestowed. In
the good time to come, the Washing tonian
as well as Washington will be exalted Nativity
at the capital OF the proud republic of ancient
times a world wide honor. 10 be Roman
was to be greater than a king. Birth at the
capital OF the modern republic, far greater
than that which ruled from the Seven Hills,
VIII be the just cause of a profounder pride
than that which found expression in the words,
II am Roman" [Applause.l
SAID HUNDRED YEARS Ago.
The orator at the laying of the District cor
ner stone one hundred years ago petitioned and
prophesied: "From this stone may a super
structure arise whose glory, whose magnii-
cenee, whose stability, unequailed hitherto,
shall astonish the world"
Upon the threshold of the Districts second
century we can do no better than to repeat this
prayer and prophesy, so suggestive of the
bright antcipations concerning the federal Dis
trict which prevailed at its creation. We some
times hear lofty reflections concerning the mar
row views Of the founders Of the republic. In
respect to the capital we shall do well if we
fulfill the hope, prophesies and anticipations of
the forefathers and not prove narrower than
they. 1t was their idea that Washington should
be federal city, developed by the nation and
subject to its control: but it was not their idea
that it should be without people. Its grand
framework indicates the expectation Of
large population. Washington's imagination
covered the fair fields and wooded hills Of his
namesake city with the homes of q numerous,
busy and happy, people, apeople not to outward
appearance dilens, pOltlcally, ana less
than aliens judicially, but clothed with all
American rights not absolutely inconsistent
with the fostering control by the nation of the
national capital. One hundred years ago
great mind conceived the idea of a statue of
perfect symmetry and beauty. This idea was
impressed upon the snowy Wilderness of the
heart of a huge block Of marble and the |
statues outlines lay hid beneath the stones
rough and discolored surface. For a century |
at intervals men have worked with drill and |
blast. with pick and chisel, to reach the heart
OF this rocky mass and to expose to sun
light and the eyes Of men the perfect statue |
Stroke by stroke the statue is uncovered |
Inch by inch 1t rises in dazzling and perfect
loneliness from all that is coarse and rude and
ugly in the stone and earth of its surroundings,
as the goddess Of beauty rose in days of old
from the rough gray surface of the ocean |
The century old ideal of Washington is fast
becoming real tangible, visible. It is for us of
the republics second century to give the
finishing touches to the work designed 100
years ago. Let no laundering chisel mar the
delicate outlines Of the developing statue whose
beauty, half concealed, half exposed, assures
to America and the world q perfect embodi- |
ment Of the ideal capital. [Great spplauseI.