Evening journal., 1898-08-29
OUR AMERICAN HEROES.

The Baltimore Herald makes a sug-
gestion which Is not only timely, but
deserving OF national acceptance and
SUPPORT. Under this heading OF "A
Valhnlla for America" II says:
1t has been the immemorial custom
OF civilized nations to honor their he
roic dead with especial and exclusive
sepulture. Among all races the idea
has always been prevalent that those
persons who have succeeded In ex-
traordinary achievements, thereby dis
tinguishing themselves from the multi
tude, should be separated in death, that
their names and the glory OF their
deeds might thus be perpetuated
Among the earlier nations IL was
particularly desired that rare hOnors
should be paid to those slain in battle,
sentiment which we find classically
typiaed in the Valhalla Of the Norst
mythology. The Valhalla was the tenn
pie OF the fallen heroes, where they
abided Immortality. and whittier they
were borne, by the direction OF Odin,
by the valkyries. maidens who served
at the Valhalla banquets. and
whence they were sent to pick out
AAhot " NC siam III hdlllt anu UtdI
their souls away.
Hence the word Valhalla has come
to be applied to any edince which has
been specially set apart as a receptacle
for the memorials or remains of the
celebrated men of a nation. The his
toric valhalla, the Temple OF Fame,
near Ratisbon, Bavaria, was erected by
the royal order OF Louis l., and con-
secrated to the illustrious dead Of all
Germany.
The most notable Of valhallas is the
Pantheon of Rome. The Pantheon is
the best preserved Of ancient Roman
buildings. 1t is circular in form, with
a splendid Corinthian portico, and
magnifcently domed roof. II was
originally built by Agrippa in q B. c.,
but was rebuilt by Hadrian At the
present time II is known as the Church
of Santa Mariadella Rotonda, and is
used as place Of burial for the famed
sons Of Italy. II was dedicated as
Christian church In A. D. 600 by Boni-
face Nv.
The Pantheon in Paris is magnifi-
cent structure, erected during the
reigns of Louis XIV. and Louis XVI
being originally the Church OF St.
Genevieve, and intended TO serve as the
mausoleum OF illustrious Frenchmen.
We are all familiar with the West
minister Abbey, in London. the valhalla
Of England, within whose storied walls
lie entombed the great and renowned
Britons Of many generations. The his
tory OF Westminster Abbey Is some
what enveloped In mystery. Since the
days OF Edward the Confessor and
Henry l., the councils OF state have met
at Westminster, and, according to ira
ditiOn, Stephen Ia said to have founded
the chapel OF his patron saint within
the palace. "To be buried in West
minister" is the highest ambition Of
every aspiring Englshman. In its SOL
emn vaults lie the remains OF kings,
queens, princes, warriors, scholars,
poets, heroes and patriots. It is the
Mecca Of all who love and cherish the
names and deeds Of those who have re-
Elected lustre upon the English-speak-
ing races.
Since other nations have thus hon
ored their immortal dead, why should
not the United States have a final rest
ing place for those who have brought
imperishable glory to the republic?
Our list OF great men is by no means
a short one. From the day of George
Washington, Benjamin Franklin and
Patrick Henry, every generation has
brought forth a generous harvest. We
have scientists, poets, sublime orators,
warriors and naval commanders.
whose achievements favorably com
pare, from every point OF view, with
those OF the greatest Of earth. Our re-
cent war with Spain has yielded a roll
OF honor made up Of heroes who we'll
deserve memorial shafts in a national
valhalla.
The occasion would seem to be a
timely and appropriate one for the or
ganization Of a movement to secure
through congressional action, the
founding of a Temple Of Fame, al
Washington, our seat OF government
as a mausoleum for our illustriou:
dead. The idea is. in no manner, con.
trary to the theory Of republican insti.
tutions.
Indeed the highest safeguard to tn,
American Republic is in the abidinf
honor we pay to the memory Of thos,
whose lives have been spent in behal
OF its renown its glory and its stabil
ity
American heroes have been men o.
the highest type, and their memories
are deserving Of national preservation
We extend to the officials OF Read,
ing hearty welcome. Those to whom
has been intrusted the pleasure OF theil
entertainment in behalf of the city q