The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-02-06

THE l~NDFpENDENT very cheerfully
and local history, and therefore offers it's
best encouragement to the Memorial
Association of the District of Columbia.
The purposes of this society, which
should appeal for the cooperation OF
every patriotic American, are briefly
announced in a circular, which says that
by organized effort it is intended to pre-
serve "the most noteworthy houses at
the capital that have been made historic
by the residences of the nations greatest
men; to suitably mark, by tablets or
otherwise, the houses and places
throughout the city OF chief interest to
our own residents and to the multitudes
of Americans and foreigners who annu
ally visit the capital; to thus cultivate
that historic spirit and reverence for the
memories of tho founders and leaders of
the republic upon which an intelligent
and abiding patriotism so largely de-
pends."
The first object of this very praise
NoIthN SiEhiILuAIVlI 10 w oSStio aiNt
from congress-, and to do this it is neces-
sary to ask the aid of a wholesome pub
lic sentiment. 1t is especially desired to
purchase the house in which President
Lincoln died, and secure all mementoes
Of his life; in other words, as the circular
says, to make it "a perpetual shrine of
patriotic pilgrimage for the millions who
venerate his memory
We take it that Montana's represent
atlves will give assistance without the
future Mountainous his debtors by his
efforts to preserve Montana's history,
will be specially interested, and the
others will be with him. A day lost in
this work can never be recalled; it is a
fight between a sentiment lear to every
true citizen and the iconoclasts who
would destroy that which cannot be re-
stored.
1t has often been charged by foreign
critics that Americans in their hunt for
material wealth are too prone to forget
and destroy the wealth of the past;
that they live not for the things which
the people of older nations delighted to
keep for future generations. The
charge is too true, but there are many
signs Of a happier change. Within the
past ten years, state and county his
torlcal societies have grown in astonish-
ing numbers. Libraries have been
started for the preservation of lost
records, and museums for the gather
ing Of priceless relics, the object lessons
of historical study, while to furnish
patriotic inspiration and encouragement
IN this work have come pamphlets and
periodicals. 1t it indeed an awakening
in a field where the weeds and thistles
have too long tlourished.
The people of Montana deserve all
praise for their persistence and success
in placing Montana history beyond
tradition and legend. To-day they can
show with pride the largest and most
complete record of events to be found
among historical societies of the far
western states. 1t was q work under
taken amid many difficulties, but 1t has
reached that stage where the results
are far greater than anticipated,
and where the rest will be comparative
ly easy. There need be no fear that
the future Montanian will be ashamed
to show records of history more unique
and interesting than that of any western
state except California.
We IAN, therefore, assure the new
national Memorial Association of the
heartiest corporation of M~ontanians in
their efforts to preserve the historical
features of Washington. 1t is a nation S
duty which must be performed to-day,
and every patriot must lend a willing