The Holly chieftain., 1897-08-20

ROBERT BRENT.
hcraldcd to the world. We take no nc
count Of the discovery by Eric the Red.
for nothing cant. of il. save historic
and reliable account of the discovery
by that bold aud pjratirul buccauecr
Norscmau. We reckon only from the
time thut Columbus and Amcrigu
Nespucci, and their Successors, trA,-
erscd the dangerous bilIows Of the At
lantic to discover FL Dorado.
-Four hundred years, Think Of it,
We are not beginners iu This wonderful
world OF the west, and yet We have
nothing which sayors Of antiquity. We
have ignored. and many Of US have de
spised, all efforts 10 chronicle the
achievements of our immediate anccs-
tors. Mark Twain received yocifrraut
and long-contiuued applause when h
said: Il am not proud OF my family. /
am trying to do something which will
make my family proud OF me"
Tint cPitomilcs the popular scntl-
meut. Nevertheless, there urc far
sighted people il America to-day who
"a bhAA-lttAE lllhIH % II A- lbl lIN IL
turc; making histories OF localities and
lucG! events, which will br valuable and
be better appreciated when this con
tiueut is older. and. ! may say 1t. more
civilized. There will come time when
boys and girls will not only study the
outline history of the origin and devrl-
opmcnt Of this great republic. but when
they will study the development OF their
counties, townships, states and i'm
mediate environments.
We had quadro-ccntcnnial eNposi-
tion in Chicago . few years ago. That
cnterprisirg demonstration was IL
startler to the whole world. when its
magnitude aud uHguJ'icence were uu-
derstood. We had centennial exposi-
tion OF our national Independence in
Philadelphia in 1876 We have since
had centennial exhibitions for several
states and sections. The people of Ten
nessee are now Inviting our entire peo-
pie to unite in celebrating the ceuten-
NAL OF the formation OF that common
wealth; and the president of the repub
lie has seen fit to lend his personal in
fuence and presence to commemorate
the event.
In spite OF clamors from thousands of
well-meaning and patriotic citizens,
the state of Wisconsin has placed in
Statuury hall, in the national capitol.
statue OF Father Marquette, the pioneer
OF the frontier who brought Christian
ity aud civilization to the great lake re
gion.
In the same hall Of notables In mar
BILE. the state of Illinois has erected
statue to Gen. James Shields. who was
soldier of the republic and senator
from three sovereign states.
We may never be able to explain the
manifestations of civilization which ex-
cavations have developed in Yucutau.
and other portions OF the continent on
which we live; but the time is already
upon US when we must take cogniZancc
of the immediate past, and build monu-
mcuts for future generations to study
and admire.
Everybody regards II as unfortunate
that the government should have per
mitted the spoliation and destruction of
the theater in which President Lincoln
was assassinated; and everybody who
:
terprise Of the gentleman who pur-
chased the house in which Lincoln died.
and preserved it practically as it was
when that awful tragedy was consum-
mated in the death OF the great elnanc!-
Pator.
In the immediate and distant future.
antiquarians. the men who write real
and authentic history, win want to
know all about the national capital.
We know that L'Enfant. n French en-
giueer officer, planned the city, and
that 1t has grown into magnifcence i'll
accordance with the lines drawn by his
inspired pen. But we do not all know
the growth OF the municipal govern
ment; and. but for the thoughtfulncss
of a body of antiquarians now living,
who dip deep into the future, we might
lose the records of the municipal growth
of the most beautiful city in the world.
The Columbian Historical society, of
this city, is composed of gentlemen OF
scholastic requirements, and all OF
them possess something of persona!
pride in the capital city where they
have long resided. and which they have
seen grow into proportions Of metro
politan pretensions. Thes' learned
gentlemen look forward to the time
when there will be 100000 people, OF
more. settled within a radius Of ten
miles from the dome OF the capitol
They are making history for the fu-
ture. and it is well that they are doing
SO.
At recent meeting of the society a
paper was read which gives history OF
the first mayor of Washington. Rob
ert Brent filled that office from 1902 TO
1872; period of l2 years, and at time
when the capital city of this republic
was little bit OF a village.
George Washington had seen the frui-
ton of his dream of a stable republic.
He had sheathed his sword, delivered
bis farewell address, and declined a
third term OF president Of the new r'-
puhic; had gone to his country home