Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-05-16

south. gazing at such a demonstration
as this map would be of the miracle of
one hundred and twenty years of free civ
lllzation. Will take heart of hope ard, as
our fathers did and dared, will themselves
do and dare until no throne of earth shall
cast its shadow on this hemisphere"
Srce delivering this speech Mr.. Cannon
mas been doing considerable work in the
Senate persuading his colleagues of the
practicability and desirabilty of establish
ing such map, and he has wrought so
well that the resolution passed without dis
sent wednesday evening. The next day
the Senator said to a Star reporter who
approached him for information as to the
origin of the idea of the great map:
Origin of the Idea.
1T was the natural outgrowth of real
ization that the gLcat mass Of our people
cannot by existing means become con-
Sclous OF the physical magnitude of the
country in which they live. l had tried
to form a conception of the United States
from maps and books. The first time I
crossed the continent from ocean to ocean
L realized that the wonder of this domain
was not appreciahle. either from examin-
alton of ordinary maps or from ordinary
travel. Placing the impression of the co,ln-
try derived from an atlas in conjunction
with the impression derived from trans
contI1 entail travel. it was easy to draw the
conclusion that something partaking of
both was necessary for a clear Comprehan-
sion of the appearance and extent of this
vast heritage of freemen. | came to Wash
ington seven years ago filled with the idea
bringing plans and statistics. and had the
honor OF presenting the subject to that
great American. James G.. Blaine, and to
other prominent men in public life. With
out exception they approved the project
At that time had hope that the Potomac
flats might be selected as being most favor
able for the purpose. This tract is con-
tiguous to the heart of Washington 1t
Is a part Of the most splendid capital reser-
walton in the world. Its historic surround
adj uftr
hour was not opportunc for presentation
of the matter before Congress. Besides
the Potomac flats were alrea iy appropri-
ated. in anticipation, for the worlds expOsi-
ton of the three Americas. Later in 1880
| was induced by leading friends in both
houses to lay the subject before prominent
men In Chicago. after that city had been
selected the site for the grea. fair Sr1ch
gentlemen as William Penn Nixon LYMAN
]. Gage. Ferd w. Peck and Carter Har-
rison gave the most cordial recognition to
the project The 1nter-Ocean published a
full description, and remarked editoriaily
that the carrying out Of such a stipend
Gus plan at Chicago, as an adjunct to the
worlds fair, would furnish distinct at
traction, unique, patriotic and many times
more valuable than the Eifel tower
Through the unfortunate delays which oc-
CURED before final selection of the ground
upon which to locate the fair. so much time
country in miniature could not be exc
cuted properly. 1t lapsed at Chicago, not
entirely to my regret, as this matter be-
longs properly to government. After wait
Ing some years. l presented the subject to
Hon. Gardiner G. Hubbard, president of the
National Geographic Society. He gave to
1t generous and approving consideration,
and when the opportunity came for a pre-
sentaton Of the subject to Congress, l
asked for the appointment of a commits
sion to weigh the questions involved.
Locations Suggested.
$50 soon as the matter was proposed
several gentlemen from different points
surrounding Washington offered their ideas
of proper location; but it not wise to
become entangled with any real estate en-
terprse, and therefore 1 declined to even
examine sites until Col. Alexander d. An
derson, whose name was well known to me
in connection with his splendid work in be-
half Of the three Americas exposition and
other subjects. suggested that the govern
ment property, the reclaimed Potomac
flats, would be an adequate and appro-
pirate site for this great work. This re-
newal of a former hope was very crafty
ing. Col. Anderson pointed out the remark
able fact that the configuration and longi-
tudinal and latitudinal extent of the re-
claimed flats make that tract In general
conform to the shape of the United States,
laid out with proper regard to the points
OF the compass, and that the map might
be established here on a scale only slightly
reduced from the original proposition The
Washington monument itself would then
stand just outside of the eastern shore Of
our country in miniature overlooking it.
and affording the best possible observatory
tower"
Has the subject received any consid-
cradle attention from the general public
during the years which you have had it I'M
der considerations
Hundreds of newspapers commented upon
1t some years ago, and have renewed their
consideration recently. 1t has been laid be-
fore many civil engineers scientific men
and public officials, and has usually been
commended. From every quarter details
of its value have been suggested, each man
considering 1t with the thought of his own
personal experience or vocation In gen.
eral, people have felt that 1t had a wide
patriotic value. In particulars. the rail-
road protector remarks: From this pre-
sentation of our country in miniature the
preliminary examination for new railway
lines will be made The school teacher
observes: AT last we will be able to give
the children some reasonable idea of the
geography of their country The old SOL
der says: will go back and visit the bat
t!enelds where my comrades fell and will
show to my children the places where
their inheritance in mighty Union was
saved One enthusiastic warrior declares:
The war lord Of Germany should have
such map Of Europe in his palace
grounds. that he might direct the move
ments of his armies in the field Probably
the people most interested in it are those
whose friends have moved from the east to
the wider lands of the west to establish
homes, and from them 1 draw the conclu-
sion expressed In my remarks in the Sem
ate recently, that such a presentation of
our country tn miniature may give a new
impetus to hone-making.
Warrington Should Be Considered
.-. First.
Il shall hope to see 1t established at
Washington, where 1t belongs; but IL the